Edinburgh: Pubs & History Walking Tour with Beer Tasting

Recommended by 99% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Edinburgh, Scotland

Popular pick

Booked 5+ times last week!

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9

· Sourabh_V ·

Mar 2026

Excellent tour with guide who knows beer , local historical pubs Got a run down on history of beer making in England and Scotland from 1700 s upto now - pub selection was on point - answered all qs She’s about to graduate from university and we wish her good luck !! Must go for all travellers visiting Edinburgh

· Filiz_I ·

Oct 2025

We visited 3 bars, 3+3+1 beer tasting, from a variety of old and new styles. Our guide Wag was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The bar selections were good. I felt engaged.

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Overview

Edinburgh boasts a unique brewing heritage that’s often overshadowed by Scotland’s whiskies. This small-group tour throws the spotlight on the capital’s now-resurgent beer scene, with visits to several top pubs and beer bars. Stroll the Royal Mile and discover Old Town highlights as you learn how Edinburgh was once the world’s leading bottled beer exporter. As you go, stop for a range of tastings, and learn the stories behind each brew.

This small-group tour offers a more personalized way to explore
Learn about Edinburgh’s brewing heritage and thriving beer scene
Discover the best of the Old Town on this two-in-one walking tour
All beer tastings are included in the tour cost

What's Included

Alcoholic Beverages

6 beer tastings and a half pint of cask ale
Local Pub Guide (Digital or Printed)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

26 St Giles' St, Edinburgh EH1 1PT, UK
Meet your host outside 26 St Giles' Street in the Old Town. This is the last door on the street next to the railings at the top of the steps. Lost? Late? Reply to the SMS you received the morning of your tour.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Edinburgh Old Town

1 minute • Admission Ticket Free

Canongate

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cowgate

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

McEwan Hall (Pass By)

University of Edinburgh (Pass By)

Grassmarket (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Kylene_M

Our tour guide, Wag, was very knowledgeable about not only the history of brewing beer, but also about the history of local architecture and trade. It was an enlightening experience and worth every penny. We fully appreciate the craft and complexity of local brews after just a couple of hours with Wag.

Reviews

4.9

based on 270 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Beer and taste of history both in one go

Sourabh_V, Mar 2026

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you, Sourabh, for highlighting the expertise and charm of the tour guide. We're thrilled you enjoyed exploring the historic pubs and the captivating beer history. Wishing you many more memorable journeys ahead!

Great Experience

Omar_R, Mar 2026

Ian was great. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Prepare to not just enjoy the selection of beers but will also learn interesting facts about the history of Edinburgh.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you, Omar! We're thrilled you enjoyed learning about Edinburgh's history alongside the beer selection. We'll share your kind words with Iain!

Exceptional Tour

John_O, Oct 2025

Wag was an exceptional guide with an incredible wealth of knowledge about beer making and its history. Could not recommend more!!

Edinburgh beers

Filiz_I, Oct 2025

We visited 3 bars, 3+3+1 beer tasting, from a variety of old and new styles. Our guide Wag was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The bar selections were good. I felt engaged.

Christy was our tour...

Lesa_S, Sep 2025

Christy was our tour guide for the Edinburgh beer tour which was very enjoyable. She had a vast knowledge of beer and made the experience wonderful

Fun afternoon walking tour

randykeeling, Sep 2025

Fun beer and history tour! Tilly was our guide and she really knew her stuff. What a fun way to spend a few hours in Edinburgh!

Informative and fun!!

Therese_G, Sep 2025

Kristy is a fantastic guide and knows her stuff about beer and how it’s been processed through the years. Very personable and engaged with all in the group really well. Loved the side stories of history of Edinburgh she shared as we walked from pub to pub.

Brew Tour & more!

Christine_W, Jul 2025

Iain our tour guide was full of historical facts and helpful tips. We had a blast, bouncing around a few hidden gems of pubs and had a sampling of some very interesting & spectacular beers. My husband was very excited to sample quite a few cask beers, which he was in pursuit of and having difficulty finding in London- he was so glad to find them in Scotland!!

Beer and History Tour

Una_D, Jun 2025

Christy was a great guide. Very interesting and a great storyteller! The tour was enjoyable and we visited 3 pubs which were within easy walking distance of each other.

Fun and interesting!

Barbara_Y, Jun 2025

Our guide Ian did an amazing tour. He was clever, knowledgeable and we really got a wonderful sampling of cask ale. This tour is winner.

Beer Tour

Susan_C, May 2025

Nice easy stroll and beer tasting. Learned about local history. Friendly guide. Would recommend. Gets chilly at night so dress warm.

interesting

duygu_h, May 2025

we went to the tour before the day of nye ; it was nice to taste and learn about scottish beers and some history around the city while walking

History of Beer, Craft and Complexity

Kylene_M, Apr 2025

Great experience! Our...

DevinWalker, Apr 2025

Great experience! Our guide Iain was very knowledgeable and fun! Each beer we tried was delicious and Iain provided lots of history on the different types. Each pub was very cozy

This tour was not well...

Heather_M, Feb 2025

This tour was not well planned. The guide was knowledgable but not the friendliest. I wouldn’t recommend.

Response from Host, Feb 2025

Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback. Sometimes it happens that personalities don't click. Your guide Iain receives lots of compliments on his warmth of welcome. I'll send a message requesting specifics so we can review and continue improving. Our guides do have discretion to adjust the route of the tour to deliver a personalised experience. This was the case with your tour and I'll check in with the team so we're only amending the route with opt in from guests.

Must do if visiting Edinburgh

Estefania_R, Feb 2025

We had our tour with Mhairi and it was great. We visited three different pubs, two of which were on our list to go to. We tried a few different beers and had the chance to learn more about the beers and about the history of Edinburgh too. I definitely recommend this tour if visiting Edinburgh.

Response from Host, Feb 2025

Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We're so glad that Mhairi helped make your tour enjoyable and informative, and that you had the chance to explore some top-notch pubs along with learning more about Edinburgh. Our team is committed to providing memorable experiences, and we're thrilled to know we met your expectations. We can't wait to welcome you back on another adventure when you return to Edinburgh!

Great beer/history tour

jackkroninger, Dec 2024

This tour is great! Perfect mix of history walking tour and new beers. Highly recommend. Very knowledgeable tour guide.

Great pub walk around Edinburgh.

Abel_G, Dec 2024

I really liked this tour. We enjoyed various beers at different pubs around Edinburgh. Wag was our tour guide and he was very passionate about beer. The only thing the tour was missing was to be able to get a full beer of the one we enjoyed the most before everyone took off on their own.

Response from Host, Dec 2024

So glad you enjoyed your tour with Wag. Will check in with him so we're serving the round at the end.

Good beer, good times!

Tiffany_S, Nov 2024

Our host, Iain, managed to make it even tho it snowed! Very thankful he put the effort in. He even brought snacks, which were delicious! We tried a very wide arrangement of beers, and Iain had tons of knowledge on the history and process off them all. Very fun experience!

Response from Host, Dec 2024

So glad you enjoyed your time with Iain. Wishing you many more wonderful adventures.

Old Jock or bust

Courtney_A, Nov 2024

Iain was a great guide on our tour. Funny, learned loads about beer and Scotland, and will definitely return to do it again!

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for your amazing review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your Edinburgh Pub & History Tour with ScotBeer Tours. It's wonderful to know that Iain's knowledge, humour, and enthusiasm made the tour so enjoyable. We hope to welcome you back to Edinburgh soon!

Fun time!

Laurentia_G, Nov 2024

Iain did a great job talking us through the different styles of beers produced in scotland. We got to do a small tour around Edinburgh as well. Great time trying super unique beers :) Would recommend

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for your great review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your Edinburgh Pub & History Tour with ScotBeer Tours. It's wonderful to know that Iain's knowledge and enthusiasm made the tour so enjoyable. We hope to welcome you back to Edinburgh soon!

Great

Gina_R, Nov 2024

Great! well worth the money. A must when traveling to Edinburgh for the first time. Ian was knowledgeable and easy going.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for your great review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your Edinburgh Pub & History Tour with ScotBeer Tours. It's wonderful to know that Ian's knowledge and easy-going nature made the tour so enjoyable. We hope to welcome you back to Edinburgh soon!

Great afternoon activity in Edinburgh if you like beer!

BrianEKrim_B, Nov 2024

Fun and very informative tour. Wag was the guide. Passionate about Edinburgh history and beer! Neat education of the history of beermaking in the city, and delicious tasting along the way. Fun to enjoy several different authentic local pubs and some historic buildings along the way.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for your great review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your Edinburgh Pub & History Tour with ScotBeer Tours. It's fantastic to know that Wag's passion for Edinburgh's history and beer made the tour so enjoyable. We hope to welcome you back to Edinburgh soon!

Wag Rocks

LAMAR_A, Nov 2024

Wag was awesome!!!! So much knowledge!! Very friendly and just an awesome experience!!! Would go again!!!

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for your amazing review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic time on your Edinburgh Pub & History Tour with ScotBeer Tours. It's wonderful to know that Wag's knowledge, enthusiasm, and friendliness made the tour so enjoyable. We hope to welcome you back to Edinburgh soon!

Fun and tasty!

Patrick_D, Sep 2024

This tour was a lot of fun. Iain was a great guide. Knowledgeable and funny. We got to see pubs we would not have gone to and try beers we would not have known about. Highly recommend

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for your great review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic time on your Edinburgh Pub & History Tour with ScotBeer Tours. It's wonderful to know that Iain's knowledge, humor, and enthusiasm made the tour so enjoyable. We hope to welcome you back to Edinburgh soon!

A Beery Good Time!!

Greg_O, Sep 2024

Sara had a great knowledge of beer and breweries in Scotland. We tried s range of beer styles and visited several different pubs.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for your great review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic time on your Edinburgh Pub & History Tour with ScotBeer Tours. It's wonderful to know that Sara's knowledge and enthusiasm made the tour so enjoyable. We hope to welcome you back to Edinburgh soon!

Pub Tour Edinburgh

Donna_V, Sep 2024

Sara was excellen! She gave us lots of information about different types of beers plus history behind them in Edinburgh. We went to several pubs on this tour and she happily gave us great directions to get back to our hotel

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for your excellent review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic time on your Edinburgh Pub & History Tour with ScotBeer Tours. It's wonderful to know that Sara's knowledge, enthusiasm, and helpfulness made the tour so enjoyable. We hope to welcome you back to Edinburgh soon!

New Beers

Lori_G, Jul 2024

We had a great time with a family visiting from Denmark. Dylan did a great job! Cheers to trying new beers! We tried sour beers and cask ales.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for your great review! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family from Denmark had a fantastic time on your Edinburgh Pub & History Tour with ScotBeer Tours. It's wonderful to know that Dylan's knowledge and enthusiasm made the tour so enjoyable. We're also delighted to hear that you enjoyed trying new beers, including sour beers and cask ales. Thank you again for your kind words. We look forward to welcoming you back to Edinburgh in the future!

Fun beer & history afternoon

Ryan_M, Jun 2024

We had a fantastic time on the tour. It was a great mix of beer and history. We made three tasting stops and tried a wide variety of beers including traditionally served real ale/cask ale. I can highly recommend this tour for both casual beer drinkers and serious beer enthusiasts visiting Edinburgh!