What to do and see in Edinburgh, Scotland: The Best Beer Tastings & Tours

November 12, 2021 Myesha Cogley

Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city, renowned for its heritage, culture and festivals. Take a long walk around the centre to explore the World Heritage Sites of the Old Town and New Town, as well as all the area’s museums and galleries. Then stop for a delicious meal made from fresh Scottish produce before heading out to take in one of Edinburgh’s many events — including the famous summer festivals of culture, or the Winter Festivals of music, light and ceilidhs.
Restaurants in Edinburgh

1. 1 Day Malt Whisky, Craft Gin, & Craft Beer Tour

1 Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RF, UK Scottish Routes
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

We’ve distilled Scotland’s best bits into our brand new 1-day tour from Edinburgh! What’s included? • Glenturret Distillery – Famous Tasting Experience • Allanwater Brewery – Tour and Tasting - beer, cider & gin • Minibus transport (max 16 guests) • Services of a professional tour guide

Inclusions: All tastings and tours, Bottled water, Professional guide, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Alcoholic Beverages

Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By BluePete

I am a return customer to Scottish routes, I last visited Islay in June 2016 I enjoyed that tour and I have just returned from a 5 day break which I really enjoyed. Mark the tour guide was great he made sure everyone had a good time. There were only 5 people on this trip. What can you say about Islay, peaceful quiet and stunningly beautiful. The weather gods looked down on us favourably. The whisky was great , the Bowmore guest house is terrific all covid 19 precautions were adhered to , the breakfast was as usual excellent and the room very comfortable. Everyone on the trip had a great time, here's to the next time.

2. Private Edinburgh Local Beers, Pubs & Breweries Tour with a Local

72 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JR, UK Withlocals.com Private Tours in Edinburgh
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Get ready for a unique Edinburgh experience and taste the best beers in town. Explore the city one gulp at a time and try out all of the locals’ favorites beers. Plus, get insights about the local breweries and the city’s beer culture. What can be better than that? Say "Slàinte" and kick-off your beer experience at a haunted pub located un an infamous historical area best known for its public executions. Try one of Stewart Brewing beers; your local host recommends, ‘Edinburgh Gold’ for a nice entry-level lager or ‘Radical Road’ for something a bit hoppier and more adventurous. If you are a big beer fan, Brewdog Cowgate is the place you need to go to. This innovative brewery created what it was once the world's strongest beer. Give its famous "Punk IPA" a try, or ask the staff for recommendations. The best part? Get useful tips from your local host about the best places to go out at night. From local bars to the newest party spots in town - it’s time to enjoy the vibrant nightlife!

Inclusions: Private tour, Pizza, Local guide, 5 alcoholic drinks: beer

Exclusions: Food and beverages not listed as inclusions, Hotel pick-up and drop off

Reviewed By 475alani

Evelyn is an absolutely fantastic tour guide. She really knows her city well and brings the myths and legends to life with her amazing stories. The whole family enjoyed the afternoon (despite the rain, which didn't really matter) and in fact it was the highlight of our weekend in Edinburgh. I would thoroughly recommend the myths and legends tour with Evelyn to anybody who is planning a visit to this really interesting city.

3. The Orange Pub Crawl - Edinburgh

Biddy Mulligans, 94-96 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JR, UK The Orange Pub Crawl
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Join our international Pub Crawl to explore a selection of some of the best pubs & clubs in Edinburgh! Come along and enjoy a night you won´t regret, including free shots, drinks discounts, queue jump, VIP club entrance and plenty of fun. We’ll guide you through a selection of some of the best pubs in Edinburgh, chosen with care, based on our own experience of the city. A tour through the Scottish capital’s nightlife, with an international atmosphere, where our great guides will take you to some of the best locations in town, including pubs, clubs, live music venues, and much more! With us, you’ll feel like a VIP in the city. If there’s a queue, you’ll jump it. If they’re charging an entry fee, you won’t pay it. Just like that! Plus, free shots and special drink prices in every bar, and of course, plenty of fun! What more could you ask for?

Inclusions: A free shot in each pub and club, Special drinks deals in all the pubs and club, VIP entry - you won't pay admission to any venue, Skip-the-line in every venue, Professional Pub Crawl leader

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Reviewed By mikelpoblacion

Memorable night in a friendly and international environment. Would recommend to anyone visiting Edinburgh in a holiday or if new in the city. Host Camilla is an absolutely charming lady!!

4. Edinburgh Brewery Tour

Edinburgh Beer Factory
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4.9 based on 33 reviews

Do you believe that beer, especially lager, is more than just liquid – it’s an experience? If so, this 2-hour shared brewery experience is for you! More than just a brewery tour, it’s a true story of art meeting science, where you'll be taken behind the scenes of the Edinburgh Beer Factory. Learn the story of the Edinburgh-born Godfather of Pop Art, Eduardo Paolozzi and how he inspired the brewery. Enjoy an experience full of flavor as your brewers will walk you through the lager-making process, from blank canvas to final masterpiece. You’ll even get the chance to taste the raw ingredients and the unfiltered brew!

Inclusions: Tour guide giving the story of Edinburgh Beer Factory and our muse, Godfather of Pop Art, Eduardo Paolozzi., Brewer-led brewery tour, 2 drinks of Paolozzi lager, Tutored tasting of Unfiltered Paolozzi straight from our brewing tanks, snack food, 5 voucher for our gift shop, Snacks, Alcoholic Beverages

Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions

Reviewed By lcortenraad

Really interesting tour of this small craft brewery in Edinburgh. Alex and Ellis were brilliant, told us interesting facts about beer making and the whole brewing process. Really cool to see how dedicated they are to making something special. And we got to taste so many of the beers - delicious! We’ll def be searching for them in the Netherlands. Thanks for the great afternoon guys!

5. Edinburgh Food Safari - we do the hunting, you do the eating

O'Connor's, 2-4 Broughton Rd, Edinburgh EH7 4EB, UK Edinburgh Food Safari
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4.9 based on 74 reviews

I was born and brought up in Edinburgh and am passionate about locally produced food - I made a 16-series TV programme about eating and cycling in Scotland, called The Woman Who Ate Scotland. I want the tour to be like a food-loving friend is taking you to their favourite places - like the best place to get scones warm from the oven, served with vanilla bean cream and home made jam. Guests get to meet the makers - the fishmonger who smokes the salmon, the marshmallow lady who makes the marshmallows, the butcher who makes the haggis. I also give guests a guided tour of the fascinating history of the 18th century UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE of The New Town.I have been running my unique food tours for four years and am used by tour companies such as Abercrombie and Kent and also VisitScotland. I like to tailor tours to suit your group from hen nights with safari hats to the lightest scones in Edinburgh This means I can be Covid aware as there will only be your household on the tour.

Inclusions: Experienced guide

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Reviewed By OrkneyK

Nel went above and beyond to cater for me who is gluten free and pregnant and my husband. She found places to cater for all our needs and threw in lots of great information about history on the way. We enjoyed luxury porridge, cheese and biscuits, chocolate cake and tea, mussels and homemade marshmallows. A great experience and a lovely way to try new foods in different places.

6. The 10 Tastings of Edinburgh With Locals: Private Food Tour

379 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1PW, UK Withlocals.com Private Tours in Edinburgh
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4.7 based on 7 reviews

Eat your way through Edinburgh's culinary scene on a private food tour. Go on a delicious journey as you try 10 of the best food items beloved by the locals: from savory to sweet and local drinks; this tour will leave every foodie satisfied! Enjoy tastings typical of the local cuisine and hand-picked by a local guide passionate about food like Haggis and Whiskey. But that's not it! This tour is more than just food; it's a cultural experience! In between food stops, you'll also find city highlights making this experience a well-rounded tour that will satisfy every foodie. Withlocals The 10 Tastings Private Food Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

Inclusions: Private Tour, Small group tour option available, Local Guide, 10 Food & Drinks Tastings

Exclusions: Hotel pick-up and drop off, Food & beverages not listed as inclusions

Reviewed By 475alani

Evelyn is an absolutely fantastic tour guide. She really knows her city well and brings the myths and legends to life with her amazing stories. The whole family enjoyed the afternoon (despite the rain, which didn't really matter) and in fact it was the highlight of our weekend in Edinburgh. I would thoroughly recommend the myths and legends tour with Evelyn to anybody who is planning a visit to this really interesting city.

7. 3-day Private Tour: Edinburgh & the Borders

Brambling Bus

Our Edinburgh & the Borders tour is private and completely tailor-made to your interests and needs. Spend three days exploring one of the most inspiring European cities and the Scottish Borders, where romantic history, song and legend meet. Visit royal castles and aristocratic mansions, walk over hills and along lochs, follow in the footsteps of great poets and raiding knights - an adventure you cannot miss! See you in Scotland for an amazing adventure!

Inclusions: Snacks, Water, Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Meals, Accommodation

Reviewed By chlorex

Me and a couple of friends choose the Brambling Bus to go around Callander for a day. It was amazing, perfect road trip with a nice playlist. Sara is an amazing driver and Maciek loves history so be ready to know some good facts to bring home with you! They took us to Callander, we had a nice walk by the Bracklinn Falls and then headed back to town to grab some food at a nice local bakery (delicious homemade pies). We also stopped by a couple of their favorites spots (like the huge antique shop). It was an amazing day, I highly recommend traveling with them. They are lovely and enthusiastic people who love sharing their love and knowledge about Scotland. Thanks Maciek and Sara!

8. The Whiskies and Gins of East Lothian Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh

Rabbie's Cafe Bar, 6 Waterloo Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3EG, UK Rabbie's

Sample a superb selection of gin and whisky on this tour through East Lothian. You travel to a coastal village to sip on one of the ‘world’s best’ gins, and you savour whisky within a secluded distillery on the outskirts of Edinburgh. You may feel a little bleary-eyed by the end of your trip, but you’ll also have a head packed full of stories and facts. Join this tour of East Lothian and mix your drinks in the most memorable way possible.

Inclusions: Transportation by top of the range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, Driver/guide, Small-group tour (maximum 16 passengers)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Admission fees, Gratuities

Reviewed By 464kathyi

Just returned from a lovely trip to the beautiful city of Edinburgh, can't wait to go back ???? During my stay I booked two 1 day tours with Rabbis. Firstly a huge thank you for running the tours with just the 2 of us, our stay had been planned around these days out so very grateful they went ahead. The Outlander tour with Lizzie was amazing as was Lizzie, she went out of her way to ensure we had a great day even though the weather was a bit liquidy! She was extremely knowledgeable about the Outlander series/locations and Scottish history in general, many thanks Lizzie. Our second tour was to St Andrews and the fishing villages of Fife with David who was fab, he was extremely helpful, flexible, knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. The villages were beautiful and St Andrews was stunning, we were also fortunate enough to have lovely sunny weather. I would highly recommend both tours and guides! Kathy ☀️☔????

9. Full-Day Loch Ness and Glencoe Tour with Private Driver

City Transfers UK

• Tours pick up and drop off at clients’ hotel. Tour pick up times are flexible but MUST be advised at time of booking. Tours do not include entrance fees. Suggested entrance tickets have been provided as a separate charge with each tour. •Chauffeurs provide a panoramic tour with historic highlights and luxurious transport to and from the sites visited but are not accredited tour guides. The tour descriptions are suggested itineraries, the passengers may visit any other sites within the tour areas that they may wish to visit, time permitting. The driver will discuss any specific requests with passengers on the day.

Inclusions: Hotel Pick up and Drop off, Transport by private vehicle, Water Bottle

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Reviewed By lrharper

I have used other transportation services from Heathrow to my hotels before visiting London, but this has been the best so far! As soon as I arrived in the airport terminal my driver Paulo greeted me, it was so easy to locate him which was a relief. Expedia booked the incorrect travel dates that I was arriving and advised me to cancel and re book again myself online, I explained to the rep I was having difficulty locating a private transfer suitable for my needs especially with Covid still running rampant. Instead I decided to call City transfers myself and there staff changed everything that expedia screwed up. I didn't have to cancel re book anything as Expedia advised me to do. I even received a courtesy phone call the day before my departure to confirm my details again. I also received text message when my drivers had arrived. Extremely great service, definitely new fav for private transportation when visiting in the UK!

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