Underground Brooklyn Walking Brewery Tour

Brooklyn’s beer scene makes more sense when you see how different breweries work. This three-and-a-half-hour tour links Wild East Brewing Co, Five Boroughs Brewing, and Big aLICe Brewing, with tastings at each stop, snacks, and a subway MetroCard included.

I like the small maximum of 15 people, since a compact group is better for questions and conversation. I also like the mix of beer styles and brewery sizes, from Wild East’s farmhouse ales and barrel-aged sours to Five Boroughs’ production setup and Big aLICe’s local New York ingredients.

The main drawback is the price and the moving parts. At $99, you are paying for more than beer, but the tour depends on minimum numbers and suitable weather, so last-minute cancellation is possible. You also need closed-toe shoes, valid identification, and a clear head at the start.

Key points worth knowing

• Three breweries in one afternoon: Visit Wild East, Five Boroughs, and Big aLICe, with about 50 minutes at each.
• Beer styles have real range: Expect farmhouse ales, hazy IPAs, barrel-aged sours, pilsners, gose, hoppy lagers, and beers made with New York ingredients.
• The subway is part of the plan: A MetroCard is provided, making the cross-Brooklyn route easier to manage.
• Five Boroughs offers the most behind-the-scenes detail: You may see three brewhouses, a quality lab, and a large taproom.
• Small groups matter: The tour caps attendance at 15 people, with some departures much smaller.
• Plan for brewery safety: You must be at least 21, bring valid ID, arrive 10 minutes early, and wear closed-toe shoes.

Why this Brooklyn beer route works

This is not simply a pub crawl. The route gives you three different ways to think about beer in Brooklyn. Wild East focuses on styles with farmhouse and sour roots. Five Boroughs shows how a larger operation produces beer at several scales. Big aLICe connects brewing with local agriculture and New York State farm ingredients.

That variety is the tour’s strongest feature. If you already know the difference between a pilsner and a sour, you will still have plenty to compare. If beer terminology is not your strong point, the sequence helps you understand how ingredients, equipment, and brewing choices affect the glass in front of you.

You begin at Sound + Fury Brewery and Kitchen at 141 Lawrence Street in Brooklyn. The activity ends back at that same meeting point. Since the tour uses public transportation, you should think of the MetroCard as part of the practical value, not a minor extra.

The company says the group can hold up to 15 people, but one reported departure had only six. That smaller setting can change the feel of the afternoon. You get more room to ask questions, and it is easier to talk with the guide and the people around you. One guide named in the tour feedback is Eddi Davila, who was praised for bringing a six-person group together so well that they finished as friends. Guide assignments can change, but that detail gives you a good sense of the social side this tour aims for.

Wild East Brewing Co starts with farmhouse character

The first brewery is Wild East Brewing Co, where the beer focus includes farmhouse ales, hazy IPAs, and barrel-aged sours. You have about 50 minutes here, enough time to begin tasting without rushing straight through the door.

This is a useful opening stop because the styles cover several ends of the beer spectrum. Farmhouse ales can bring a different yeast and grain character than the softer, fruit-forward feel often associated with hazy IPAs. Barrel-aged sours offer another turn entirely, with time and barrels playing a major role in the finished beer.

You should not expect every beer served to match every category listed. The exact pours and schedule can change. Still, the brewery gives the guide plenty to work with, and it sets up the comparison that makes a multi-brewery tour worthwhile.

The first stop also helps you get comfortable with the pace. Tastings are not the same as ordering full pints at a bar. You can pay attention to color, aroma, bitterness, acidity, and finish without committing to one style for the whole afternoon.

A practical point: snacks are included, but the supplied information does not specify what they are or how substantial they will be. If you need vegetarian food, request that when booking. This matters on a beer tour, since a little food helps you pace yourself and enjoy the tastings sensibly.

Five Boroughs shows beer at three working scales

Five Boroughs Brewing in Sunset Park is the most equipment-focused stop. The brewery produces four core beers year-round: IPA, pilsner, gose, and hoppy lager. That lineup gives you a clean set of styles to compare, from the familiar hop punch of an IPA to the crisp profile of a pilsner and the tart, salty edge often associated with gose.

The tour includes access to three different brewhouses. You may see the production-scale system, a smaller setup, and a one-barrel pilot system. That is valuable because it shows how a brewery can test ideas on a small scale before producing them in larger quantities.

You also get a glimpse into the quality lab. The supplied details do not promise a technical class or a particular demonstration, so keep expectations sensible. You are seeing part of the brewery’s quality process, not signing up for a brewing course. Even a short look can add useful context to the beer in your glass.

The taproom is described as large, with seating for 150 people, multiple draft lines, special events, a stage, and a retail shop. That makes Five Boroughs feel different from a small tasting room. It is a production brewery with a broad public-facing space, and the contrast is one of the better reasons to include it on this route.

You spend about 50 minutes here. That is enough for a structured visit, but not enough to inspect every part of the operation at length. If the brewing equipment is your main interest, pay attention to the guide and ask questions early. A group of 15 can use up time quickly.

Big aLICe connects beer with New York farms

The third stop is Big aLICe Brewing, which puts local sourcing at the center of its identity. It operates as a licensed New York State farm brewery and works with New York hop farmers and maltsters. The brewery also uses organic and local ingredients and partners with nearby businesses for specialty products.

This stop broadens the tour beyond beer styles and machinery. You get a look at how a brewery can tie its recipes to regional agriculture. Hops and malt are not abstract ingredients here. The brewery’s stated approach links them to farms, producers, and the wider food economy of New York State.

Big aLICe also gives the afternoon a fitting final chapter. Wild East introduces a wide range of beer styles, Five Boroughs explains scale and quality control, and Big aLICe brings the discussion back to ingredients and place.

Again, the stop lasts about 50 minutes, and the exact order or schedule can change. You should treat the listed sequence as a guide rather than a promise. The tour provider may adjust the day’s timing or stops as needed.

The subway adds practical value

The tour begins and ends at Sound + Fury Brewery and Kitchen, but the breweries are not all in one compact block. Public transportation is part of the route, and a subway MetroCard is provided.

That is a useful inclusion. You do not have to work out every train fare while moving between tastings, and you can focus on the tour rather than watching a transit app every few minutes. Still, you should wear comfortable shoes and be ready for a moderate level of walking and movement. The stated fitness requirement is moderate, not strenuous, but this is not a sit-in-one-room tasting.

Arrive at least 10 minutes before the start. A late arrival could be awkward when a small group is following a timed route. You should also dress for the weather. The tour operates in all weather conditions, although poor weather can lead to cancellation under the stated policy.

Because the schedule includes transport, allow the full three hours and 30 minutes rather than planning another fixed activity immediately afterward. The time is approximate, and subway travel or changes in the day’s schedule can affect the finish.

Is $99 a fair price?

The price is $99 per person. That is not the cheapest way to drink beer in Brooklyn, but it is not just the cost of three bar visits.

Your fee includes beer tastings at three breweries, snacks, subway fare, and a guide-led route. You are also paying for the planning. The breweries are spread across Brooklyn, and arranging the same afternoon yourself would mean researching locations, checking opening hours, handling transit, and deciding what to order at each stop.

The value improves if you care about how beer is made. Five Boroughs’ three brewhouses and quality lab add something you would not necessarily get from a normal taproom visit. Big aLICe’s farm-brewery focus adds another layer, while Wild East offers a varied starting point for tasting.

The value is weaker if you mainly want large pours or a long afternoon at one brewery. The tour gives you guided tastings and short visits, not an open-ended drinking session. You are also responsible for pacing yourself. Pre-gaming is prohibited, and anyone visibly intoxicated before the tour will not be allowed to join without a refund.

Group discounts may be available, which could make the price easier to justify for friends. The maximum group size is 15, but smaller departures are possible and may feel more personal.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend this for adults who want structure, variety, and a social afternoon. It suits people who like trying different beer styles but do not want to plan a cross-Brooklyn route on their own.

It is also a good fit for visitors who want a brewery experience rather than a general Brooklyn sightseeing walk. The tour is centered on beer, production, ingredients, and tasting. You should not book it expecting major landmarks or a broad history tour of the borough.

Beer fans will appreciate the range of styles and the chance to see different brewing setups. Casual drinkers can enjoy the social side, especially if the group is small. The guide’s role matters here. The positive feedback about Eddi Davila points to the value of a guide who can make introductions and keep the group connected.

You should think twice if you dislike public transportation, have trouble walking for several hours, or prefer to control your own pace. The route is shared, and the timing at each brewery is limited.

Everyone must be 21 or older, with no exceptions. US citizens need a non-expired state ID. If you are visiting from another country, bring your passport. Open-toed shoes are not allowed because of brewery safety rules, so closed-toe footwear is required.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour requires a minimum number of participants, so even a confirmed booking can be canceled if that minimum is not met.

Poor weather can also cancel the activity. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately, but the provider still reserves the right to cancel when conditions are not suitable.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. One reported booking was canceled two days before departure, with no suitable alternative found. That is an uncommon but important risk to consider if your Brooklyn schedule is tight.

Should you book the Underground Brooklyn Walking Brewery Tour?

Book it if you want three contrasting brewery visits, guided tastings, and an organized route that includes subway fare and snacks. The mix of Wild East, Five Boroughs, and Big aLICe gives the afternoon more substance than a simple bar hop.

I would be especially inclined to book if you can enjoy the tour with a small group. A six-person departure, like the one described in the tour feedback, could offer the best balance of conversation and access. Just keep the cancellation risk in mind, arrive early, bring the right ID, and wear closed-toe shoes.

Skip it if you want a self-guided day, full pours at one brewery, or a sightseeing tour unrelated to beer. At $99, the tour earns its price through planning, variety, tastings, transportation, and brewery access. For the right beer-minded visitor, that is a sensible package.

FAQ

How long does the Underground Brooklyn Walking Brewery Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

Which breweries are included?

The route includes Wild East Brewing Co, Five Boroughs Brewing, and Big aLICe Brewing. The schedule and order may change.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Sound + Fury Brewery and Kitchen, 141 Lawrence Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Are beer tastings included?

Yes. Beer tastings at three different breweries are included.

Are snacks and subway fare included?

Yes. Snacks and a subway MetroCard are provided.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

What identification do I need?

US citizens must bring a non-expired state ID. International visitors must bring a passport.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If the tour is canceled because of poor weather or insufficient numbers, you are offered another date or a full refund.