Get ready for an entertaining, educating, and inebriating experience. On July 10, Philly Brew Tours began its all-inclusive, daily tours of some of Philadelphia and South Jersey’s top breweries, distilleries, brewpubs, and beer bars.

What does all-inclusive mean? For one price, the tour includes transportation on “Barley,” a 15-passenger van, a tour guide whose job it is to both educate and entertain, a VIP beer experience that includes no waiting in lines and access to brewers and parts of breweries that aren’t usually open to the public, and a full meal. Owner Chad Brodsky believes there is no other beer tour like this in the city.

“Guests,” said Brodsky,” will go from strangers to drinking buddies.” They’ll also get an in-depth analysis about the brewing process and how to identify popular styles, such as saisons, stouts, IPAs, pilsners, and porters.

Guests meet at 1211 Arch Street by Reading Terminal Market and are the chauffeured to local breweries, distilleries, and beer-centric restaurants during the five-hour tour that sometimes crosses the bridge into South Jersey. The tour guide will always be a beer expert and an expert on the rich history of brewing in Philadelphia.

“The city has an incredible amount of history,” said Brodsky. “At one point, Philadelphia had 150 breweries.” The tours will highlight the city’s brewing history from colonial times right through its modern revival. The tour guide will point out historical landmarks along the way and entertain with stories.

Philly Brew Tours offers three types of tours:

The Original Brew Tour
The Original Brew Tour is a daytime tour that currently runs on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 11 AM (with possible weekday tours in the future). For $85 per person, guests will visit three local breweries and/or distilleries, taste and discuss at least 15 different beers of varying styles, and be treated to a beer pairing lunch.

A sample daytime itinerary could include Flying Fish Brewing Co (NJ). or Philadelphia Brewing Co., Lunacy Brewing Co. (NJ) or Saint Benjamin, 2nd Story Brewing for lunch, and Dock Street.

The After Hours Brew Tour
This tour is an evening tour that starts at 5:30 PM that currently runs seven nights a week. For $85 per person, guests will visit three local breweries and/or distilleries, taste and discuss at least 18 different beers of varying styles, and be treated to a beer pairing dinner.

A sample after hours itinerary could include Yards Brewing Co. or Cooper River Distillers (NJ), 2nd Story Brewing (Dinner), Dock Street Brewery, and Brauhaus Schmitz.

Custom Private Brewery Tours
Philly Brew Tours will create private tours for birthday parties, bachelor/bachelorette parties, clubs, organizations, corporate events, and more.

All beer, food, and gratuities are included in the ticket price. (Gratuity for the tour guide is not included but is welcomed.) Non-drinking tickets for public tours are available for $60.

For more information visit phillybrewtours.com, call 215-866-2337, or email Philly@brewtours.us.

Photos courtesy of Profile PR