Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Chicago, USA
- 3 hours 45 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Immerse yourself in Chicago's thriving craft beer scene—and visit locals-loved breweries you'd be unlikely to stumble across otherwise—on this half-day brewery tour. Travel in style, and get in the spirit, aboard a traditional Prohibition–style barrel bus. Visit several unique breweries, and go on behind-the-scenes production facility tours. Discover the science behind the brewing process, and enjoy plenty of beer samples throughout the tour.
- Head off the tourist trail when you visit several Chicago breweries
- Enjoy a generous range of beer samples as you go
- Leave the driving to someone else so you can focus on enjoyment
- This tour is great for craft beer novices and experts alike
What's Included
- 45-55 ounces of craft beer
- Professional guide
- Live commentary on board
- Transport by climate-controlled barrel bus
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 600 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Departure Point: Address: 600 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60654 Our bus will arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to departure. We will park outside of McDonald's, across the street from the Rainforest Cafe.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Choose between morning and afternoon departure times, and meet your guide and group at a convenient location in the heart of Chicago's River North area.
Hop aboard your bus—a unique, Prohibition–inspired barrel bus—and get ready to explore. You'll visit up to three locals-loved Chicago craft breweries, all in just half a day.
Each brewery has its own unique qualities and approach to production. Go on behind-the-scenes tours to see where the beer is brewed, and learn all about the science of the brewing process.
At each stop, enjoy a generous range of samples, and try a variety of popular craft beer styles. (Please bring your government-issued photo ID; this tour is only for guests aged 21 and over.)
After several hours of tasting and exploring, your tour ends at the original departure point.
Hop aboard your bus—a unique, Prohibition–inspired barrel bus—and get ready to explore. You'll visit up to three locals-loved Chicago craft breweries, all in just half a day.
Each brewery has its own unique qualities and approach to production. Go on behind-the-scenes tours to see where the beer is brewed, and learn all about the science of the brewing process.
At each stop, enjoy a generous range of samples, and try a variety of popular craft beer styles. (Please bring your government-issued photo ID; this tour is only for guests aged 21 and over.)
After several hours of tasting and exploring, your tour ends at the original departure point.
The Barrel Run (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Minimum age is 21 years
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Please note this experience has a minimum number of travelers required to operate. If the minimum is not met, you will be offered a tour at another time or a full refund.
- Closed Toe Shoes required in order to experience the production facility tour at one brewery.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 36 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Cassie_S
The best tour ever!!!! Ted is amazing guide!!!I recommend it to all adults! It was a blast and our group was the best!
Reviews
4.9
based on 342 reviews
Cassie_S, Mar 2026
The best tour ever!!!! Ted is amazing guide!!!I recommend it to all adults! It was a blast and our group was the best!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much Cassie! We are happy you and your group enjoyed your time with The Barrel Run - and hope to see you all again to visit some different breweries and ride on the iconic Barrel Bus again!
Owen_D, Feb 2026
Just hope a lot of your group doesn’t show up. You’ll get a lotta free beer at the last brewery. Had a great time
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi Owen, we are glad you had a great time and hope to see you again on The Barrel Run!
Teresa_G, Feb 2026
It was great to see some of Chicago you don’t normally see. The first stop was the best! The beer choices were the best.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you Teresa. If you want to see more of Chicago and hear about it's crime and gangsters, check out our private events where we offer Prohibition Tours. We hope to see you again on The Barrel Run.
linda_m, Jan 2026
It was an amazing experience!
Would recommend it for everyone who loves beer!
Super guide and well organised
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you Linda. We are glad you enjoyed your time on The Barrel Run and hope to see you again to visit some different breweries and taste some different brews!
Laura_R, Dec 2025
Awesome way to visit different breweries without having to worry about directions, driving, or logistics; we had a great time and enjoyed a good selection of beer; our driver was a wonderful host; thank you!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you Laura. We appreciate your kind review. Once you book your tickets, leave the rest to us! There is no other way to visit different breweries than riding around in a bus shaped like a barrel! We hope to see you again. Happy New Year!
Hope_C, Nov 2025
We had a blast!! unique transportation - so much fun! The stops along the way were awesome and the pubs were so welcoming! Great variety of beers and the host was terrific! Definitely recommend!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you Hope. We hope to see you again to visit some different breweries and try some different brews!
Jeff_M, Nov 2025
We’re local to Chicago and this was an amazing way to visit breweries and meet people from al over the world who were visiting Chicago.
Our guide Ted was exceptional and made the trip fun with local stories of the history of Chicago’s temperance and prohibition era. Highly recommend this for locals and travelers. This would make a great corporate team bonding event too.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your kind review Jeff. Our public tours are always enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Our private tours are great for team building / client appreciation events. We hope to see you again on The Barrel Run.
Gregory_B, Nov 2025
This was a fantastic tour in a very cool ride! Our guide, Ted, was awesome and very knowledgable and brought us to three excellent breweries. We've done a lot of brewery tours and this one is definitely at the top of the list, well worth your time and more than worth the cost. Cheers!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for your kind review. Our tours are full of unforgettable experiences, from a ride in a bus shaped like a barrel, tastings at great breweries and Chicago / Prohibition stories from your tour guide. Not to mention meeting people from all over the world! We hope to see you again on The Barrel Run!
Christina_N, Nov 2025
Fun time to try some craft beers and make some new friends. The bus was interesting. Our tour guide Ted was personable. Definitely a memorable experience.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for your review. We are glad you enjoyed your experience on our one-of-a-kind Barrel Bus and hope to see you again.
Jeffrey_S, Nov 2025
Fun bus, fun talking to all of your fellow travelers. Each stop was a different experience but you feel welcomed and wanted at each place. They knew we were coming and were ready for the group to walk in.
Very fun afternoon.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you Jeffrey. We are very happy you enjoyed your 4 hour tour with us and hope to see you again on The Barrel Run!
Beverley_M, Nov 2025
Had a Great time. So much fun, fabulous guide Ted. Barrel bus was clean & comfy. Brewery’s we went too were nice. Met a good group of people on tour.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you Beverley for your kind review. Our tours are designed to ensure everyone has a great time. We're happy to hear to enjoyed your time on The Barrel Bus and hope to see you again!
raquel_a, Nov 2025
It was a great experience🍻 i loved meeting new people new places finding what chicago has, if u want to explored, this is a good thing to do, i took my sister 👩❤️👩and we both enjoyed the experience. im waiting for them to have the wine tour I will definitely go 😊😁🍷
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you Raquel. We have people from all over the world join our public tours, so the mingling on the Barrel Bus is extraordinary! We hope to see you and your sister again, and bring some friends too!
Christy_K, Nov 2025
Such a fun experience! The tour guide made the trip even better! Each stop was well planned by each brewery.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you Christy. We appreciate your kind review and are very happy you enjoyed not only the brewery visits, but also your tour guide who tells stories of Prohibition/Mobster/Chicago. We hope to see you again on The Barrel Run!
Bradley_F, Nov 2025
Great experience, would recommend and I’d do it again. If you like beer or don’t like beer, this is a fun tour and you’ll enjoy it
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you Bradley. Besides visiting different breweries, our guide tells Prohibition/Mobster stories, Chicago stories and much more. We do hope to see you again on The Barrel Run!
Matthew_S, Nov 2025
This was fantastic! Would highly recommend when in the area of Chicago. Great history and a fun time.
Tori_W, Nov 2025
We really enjoyed this experience. I’m not much of a beer drinker but we had a blast! The tour guide was great and the bus is awesome!! 10/10
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you very much for your review Tori! Riding in the one-of-a-kind Barrel Bus is a big part of the Barrel Run Experience. We hope to see you again.
Christopher_J, Oct 2025
We were picked up on the street at the address. Not in the parking lot. Information provided was accurate. Some guests waited in the wrong place.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your review. The address for pick up is 600 N. Clark Street. We hope to see you again on The Barrel Run.
Eden_B, Oct 2025
We live in Chicago, but use Viator like we’re from out of town. It’s just a great way to see the city. Architecture tours, pizza tour, and now barrel tour. Our guide was fantastic! I don’t even like beer, but one of the places had thc infused beer and that was yummy.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you Eden. Chicago does have so many fun things to do and see. But you will see the only one-of-a-kind Barrel Bus driving in the city streets! We hope to see you again.
Melissa_K, Oct 2025
It was fun. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. Would have liked different music played. The first two breweries were great. Didn’t like the last brewery.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your feedback Melissa. We do mix the music up with our prohibition themed songs along with other more modern music. The breweries you visited were each unique in their own way, so people get a variety of brews. We hope to see you again.
Karen_L, Oct 2025
Great way to try a variety of Chicago craft beers. Unique mode of transportation. Great way to see different parts of Chicago.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you Karen. Our tours visit different breweries in the city, so it varies from tour to tour. We also include Prohibition/Chicago stories along the route to give our guests an even more engaging experience. Also riding on the Bus is part of the overall experience! We hope to see you again on The Barrel Run.
Meg_C, Sep 2025
The brewery tour was so much fun and the guide was awesome, definitely recommend for a great Chicago experience!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you! We have people from all over the world who enjoy their time on The Barrel Run too! We hope to see you again.
Bedria_K, Sep 2025
It was a great experiance! The tour gouide was very knowledgeable and shared some fascinating stories about the Prohibition era. The pistachio beer is definitely a mut try.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your kind review. Our public tours not only take you to 3 great Chicago breweries to taste some unique brews, but also share some amazing Prohibition/Gangster/Chicago stories. One of our private tour options is strictly Prohibition/Gangster with in-depth stories, along with a stop at a Speakeasy for drinks and food.
Shea_C, Sep 2025
What a fun tour! If you like craft beer, meeting new people and riding in a giant barrel this tour is for you. My husband and I had a blast and tried a wide variety of beer. We highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you! People from all over the world come to Chicago just to go on The Barrel Run and they leave saying they love our tours. We hope to see you and your husband again.
Emma_W, Aug 2025
This is such a great tour and way to spend an afternoon! Totally recommend, and our guide Ted was really knowledgeable about both the history of prohibition/Chicago as well as the brewery scene. Definitely will be going on this tour again! Really liked all three locations we stopped at.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
We are very happy you enjoyed your time on The Barrel Run, Emma. Our Private Gangster Tours get more in depth about the Prohibition era of Chicago, traveling around the city to historical landmarks with stories attached, with a stop at the last remaining Speakeasy era Speakeasy for dinner and drinks! We hope to see you again.
jimdrummer, Aug 2025
It was a very enjoyable tour. Ted the tour guide was very knowledgable about the history behind beer in Chicago and all the Breweries were unique.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you Jim. Not only do you get to ride around the city in a one-of-a-kind bus shaped like a barrel, but you also get to hear Prohibition and Chicago stories. We are glad you enjoyed your time on The Barrel Run and hope to see you again.
Jennifer_M, Jul 2025
This tour was fun, safe, informative and unique! I loved the concept at the District Brewing Yards which offered a great variety!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you Jennifer. Yes, safety is our number one priority while transporting our guests around the City of Chicago. Each one of our brewery partners is unique in their style of brews, which makes our tours so enjoyable. We hope to see you again on The Barrel Run.
Elaine_C, Jul 2025
A lot of fun! The bus is very cool, and the breweries were awesome! Know that you can bring a water bottle aboard and there is food you can purchase at a couple of the breweries.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you Elaine. We are glad you enjoyed your time on The Barrel Run and hope to see you again. We do schedule our tours where at least one location offers food, which our guests really enjoy!
Nicole_S, Jul 2025
Such a fun and unique experience. It was great to meet people from all over and taste some great beer. The driver was great and really knowledgeable. A great way to spend part our day.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you Nicole. We get so many people on our public tours who are from all over the world, which makes our tours so much more exciting. We hope to see you again on The Barrel Run.
Rebecca_B, Jul 2025
So much fun, David was a great host and so much fun, we had a great time and would definitely recommend!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you Rebecca. Our guides enjoy mingling with our guests and telling exciting Prohibition stories along the route. We hope to see you again.
Claire_P, Jul 2025
We visited 3 breweries, the first you got to choose any 1 drink from the menu, the second you got a $10 credit and the third 3 small tasters of beers were sat out when we arrived. This was our least favourite of the breweries, the beers wouldn’t be ones I would have chosen and who knows how long they had been sat out for before we arrived.
Our driver Ted was lovely but was just a driver between the breweries I was expecting more of a tour guide. We also weren’t told how long we had in each place which would’ve been really helpful.
All in all we did enjoy ourselves but definitely not worth it for the price paid.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hi Claire. We’re sorry to hear you didn’t see the value in your experience. We strive to make sure all of our destinations serve what they think our customers will enjoy. We often rotate our destinations to give our guests a variety of tastings and drink profiles. Some people do enjoy the pre-poured samples (poured when signaled from our driver that we’re on our way), while others prefer choosing their own options. This is why each location we visit on each tour is a unique experience. The first brewery you visited you were able to choose your beverage of choice, the second brewery you had a choice between 4 different breweries in one location and the third you had samples poured. This particular tour is a favorite of our guests because of the different options given.
For the price of a ticket, you get a 3.5-4.0 hour excursion, visit 3 breweries with a guided tour at one, up to 55oz of craft beer, as well as Prohibition and Chicago stories along the way while on the world’s only Barrel Bus.
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