Old Quarter is fun, but this tour takes you farther than most.

You’ll do a structured beer tasting run with pickup, an English-speaking guide, and a comfortable minibus so you can focus on the fun instead of transport math.

I especially like the pacing and the value of tasting up to 12 craft beers with snacks across multiple stops. I also like that the tour keeps things social in a max 12-person group, so you can actually talk beer styles, not just hold a cup.

One consideration: it’s a set route with scheduled tastings, so if you want total freedom to wander and linger in one place, you may feel slightly time-boxed.

Key things to know before you go

• Up to 12 craft beers across four different breweries, with snacks at each stop
• Hotel pickup and drop-off for selected hotels, plus an air-conditioned minibus
• English-speaking guide (including guidance from Julien, a name that comes up often)
• Old Quarter start, then beer stops about 10 km south of the tourist core
• Vegetarian option available if you tell the operator ahead of time
• 18+ minimum drinking age for the tastings

A 5-hour Craft Beer Crawl With Hotel Pickup

This tour is designed like a smooth afternoon plan. It starts at 4:00 pm and runs about 5 hours, which is long enough to taste widely, but not so long you feel cooked by dinnertime.

The biggest practical win is that you are not figuring out rides between breweries. You get an air-conditioned minibus plus hotel pickup and drop-off for selected hotels. That means less “where is this place again?” and more conversation with your guide and the people in your group.

The schedule also helps you experience Hanoi beyond the postcard loop. You start near the Old Quarter area, but then you head into parts of the city most tourists do not roam on their own.

Price and value: what $120 actually buys

At $120 per person, this is not a bargain in Hanoi terms. Still, you are paying for a package, not just beer.

Here is what you typically get bundled in:

• Beverages and tastings at the breweries
• Snacks paired with the tastings (both Vietnamese and Western options)
• Bottled water
• Driver/guide and the minibus
• Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels)

Also, the key value piece is the range. The tour is built around four brewery stops and tasting up to 12 craft beers. If you tried to do that yourself, you would likely spend time hopping between venues, paying for transport repeatedly, and missing some of the insider context a guide can provide.

The cost consideration is this: alcoholic drinks beyond the tastings are not included. Tastings are part of the tour, but any extra beer you order on top is available to purchase separately.

Guide Julien and the small-group setup

This is a small-group tour with a maximum of 12 travelers. That matters more than you might think. In a big bus group, it’s hard to ask follow-up questions about styles, sweetness, bitterness, or what makes Vietnamese craft different. In a max-12 format, you have a better chance of chatting with the guide and hearing what others are curious about.

One review theme that shows up clearly is the guide’s personality and teaching style, and the name Julien comes up. You can expect a guide who talks through the craft beer scene in Hanoi, not just the pouring part.

If you prefer tours where you feel like a participant, not a passenger, this structure fits well. You are meeting people, tasting together, and moving as a group through the city in an orderly way.

Stop by stop: from Old Quarter to brewery tastings about 10 km south

Your evening begins in the Old Quarter zone. Your guide picks you up and then you regroup with the rest of the group before heading out by minibus.

From there, the tour shifts from sightseeing to tasting mode.

Stop 1: the first local brewery, about 10 km south of the Old Town

The first tasting stop is roughly 10 km south of the Old Town. You’ll have about 45 minutes at this first brewery.

This is where you sample 3 craft beers, paired with finger foods. That “first stop” timing is smart. It helps you get oriented fast. You try a mix early, learn what you tend to like, and then you can guide your own taste preferences for the rest of the route.

Possible drawback here: if you are very picky about beer styles, 45 minutes can still feel like a quick taste sprint. It’s enough time to do the guided tasting and food pairing, but not enough if you want a long, slow sit-down.

Stop 2: a newer local brewery with a bit of story

Next you head back into the minibus to the second stop. This one includes a guide-led talk about the brewery’s history, then another tasting of 3 craft beers plus finger foods.

The practical benefit of a second stop so soon: you get a contrast. You can compare what’s similar between breweries and what’s different in flavor and approach, rather than waiting all night to figure out the brewery “personality” theme.

Stops 3 and 4: finishing the path to up to 12 tastings

The tour is built around four different breweries, and the overall promise is up to 12 craft beers. Based on the first two stops each serving 3 tastings, you can expect the remaining stops to continue in that same rhythm.

One detail to know: the tour notes that touring breweries, including brewmasters’ schedules, can depend on timing. In other words, you may not always get the exact same behind-the-scenes access each tour, but you will still get the tasting and snack experience aligned to the route.

Food pairing across the stops

At each brewery stop, you get snacks paired with the beers. The mix includes both Vietnamese foods and Western foods, which is useful because craft beer flavors can run from light and malty to more bitter and roasted. The snack rotation helps you reset your palate between pours.

If you have a vegetarian option, you should arrange it ahead of time. The tour explicitly says vegetarian is available if you advise at booking.

What you actually taste: up to 12 craft beers plus snacks

The headline is simple: try up to 12 craft beers.

That number matters because it changes the learning curve. Instead of one or two beers, you get exposure to more styles. You start noticing patterns, like whether you prefer something crisp and light, more hop-forward, or richer and roasted.

The snack side also matters. This tour is not just handing you a cup and hoping you figure it out. You get finger foods paired at venues, plus bottled water to keep things comfortable over multiple tastings.

Also, the route is designed to keep the experience relaxed. You’re in transit in between stops, and the minibus helps you avoid the stress of navigating traffic.

Exploring Hanoi parts most visitors skip

You might be thinking: Hanoi has enough to do already, why add a beer crawl?

Because it’s not just beer. It’s a way to see a side of the city. You start from the Old Quarter pickup area, but then the tour takes you out roughly 10 km south for the first brewery, and then continues through additional stops.

That means you get movement through neighborhoods and streets you likely would not pick at random after a long day of walking. You also avoid the trap of spending the entire evening in the same tourist pocket.

The tour also has a social angle. With a small group and a guide talking in English, you will likely find yourself comparing notes about craft trends in Hanoi, what people like, and what you should order if you return later on your own.

Practical tips for a smooth craft beer evening

A few details will make your tour feel easier on the ground.

• Bring your ID. The tour sets a minimum drinking age of 18, so plan to be ready to verify age if asked.
• Eat before you arrive, but don’t overstuff. You’ll get snacks with tastings, yet you’ll be drinking and moving for hours.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You may be on your feet at breweries while you taste and listen.
• Expect a timed route. You are not roaming freely. The value is in the coordination: four breweries, guided tastings, transport, and snacks.
• If you need vegetarian food, mention it during booking. The tour says a vegetarian option is available if advised.

One more small planning note: confirmation is typically received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. If your schedule is tight, book soon.

Should you book The Original Craft Beer Tour of Hanoi?

Book it if you want a low-stress way to experience Hanoi’s growing craft beer scene without doing logistics yourself. The combination of hotel pickup, a comfy minibus, and up to 12 tastings across four breweries is the kind of deal that usually takes more time and effort to replicate on your own. The small-group size, plus a guide like Julien, can make it feel like a proper evening out with learning, not just drinking.

Skip it or think twice if you hate structured plans. This is an organized half-day run, not a free-form brewery wander. Also, if you are sensitive to alcohol or you want a very food-heavy tour, remember the tour centers on beer tastings and includes snacks mainly as pairing.

If you like craft beer, want to ask questions, and would rather spend your time tasting than routing, this one is a solid pick in Hanoi.

FAQ

How long is the Original Craft Beer tour of Hanoi?

The tour lasts about 5 hours.

How many craft beers will I try?

You can try up to 12 craft beers during the tour.

How many breweries does the tour visit?

The tour visits four different breweries.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 4:00 pm.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available if you advise at booking.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

What is the group size?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

Yes, you can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance.