Bogotá: Craft Beer Tour with Tasting

Bogotá’s craft-beer scene makes more sense when you taste it alongside the city’s older drinking traditions. This tour begins with Tapazo, moves through the Colonial, Republican, and Modern periods of Colombian beer, and adds chicha, aguardiente, and other local drinks along the way. I like the mix of history and bar-hopping, plus the chance to see a small brewery at work instead of simply sitting in one pub.

I also like the small group, capped at 10 people, and the strong English-speaking guides. Melissa, Cristian, Camila, Andrea, and other guides have been praised for making solo visitors feel included. The main drawback is simple: this is a serious amount of alcohol, and the tour may not suit anyone who does not drink beer, though alternatives may sometimes be available.

Key points

• Tapazo starts the evening: A traditional Colombian game helps break the ice before the tasting begins.
• The history has a clear shape: You learn how Colonial, Republican, and Modern Colombia affected beer production and drinking customs.
• Five beer servings plus samples: The package includes a bottle, five pints or glasses, and smaller tastes.
• Several kinds of venues: Huitaca, Manigua, Medellin, a bar with its own mini-brewery, and a final bar with a broad beer list create variety.
• Good for meeting people: A maximum of 10 participants makes conversation easy, especially for solo visitors.
• Plan your alcohol intake: The experience can leave you quite drunk, and non-beer choices are not guaranteed at every stop.

Starting with Tapazo near Cranky Croc hostel

You meet at Cranky Croc hostel on Cl. 12d #346 in Bogotá. The tour then gets moving with Tapazo, a traditional Colombian game used as an easy introduction to the group. That opening matters. You are not thrown straight into a tasting flight with strangers. You have a shared activity first, which makes the rest of the afternoon or evening feel more relaxed.

The small-group format helps here. With no more than 10 people, you can usually speak with the guide and get to know the other participants without shouting across a crowded room. I would especially consider this tour if you are traveling alone or have just arrived in Bogotá and want a social way to get your bearings.

The meeting point is practical for hostel-based visitors, but you should wear comfortable shoes. You will move between venues on foot, and the tour is a walking experience as much as a drinking one. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so leave your suitcase at your accommodation.

The first Colombian-brewed beer and three periods of history

The historical opening takes place at an old house connected with the first beer brewed by a Colombian. From there, the guide explains Colombia’s Colonial, Republican, and Modern periods, showing how each era affected local beer production and drinking culture.

This gives the tasting a useful frame. You are not just trying a tropical ale, a coffee beer, or a fruit-flavored brew and then moving on. You learn why beer developed in a country better known internationally for coffee, aguardiente, and chicha. The story also brings in the contributions of indigenous communities, a point that added real value for people who wanted more than a standard pub crawl.

The guides make a major difference during this part. Melissa has received repeated praise for making the subject lively and easy to follow. Cristian has also been singled out for explaining both the drinks and Bogotá itself in clear English. You will get more from the history if you ask questions, especially about ingredients and older Colombian beverages.

Huitaca brings a tropical first pour

The first brewery stop is Huitaca, where you receive a pint of tropical beer. This is a good early taste of the tour’s approach: local craft brewing, regional flavors, and a setting where the drink is connected to Colombian culture.

The word tropical can mean many things in a beer description, so do not expect one fixed style lesson. The point is to sample something with a clear sense of place, then compare it with what comes later. The included drinks are not presented as one formal tasting flight, so your guide is important in explaining what makes each stop different.

You receive a bottle and five pints or glasses across the tour, along with samples. That is generous for the $58 price, but it also means you should pace yourself. A full pint at several locations adds up quickly, especially if you are not accustomed to drinking at altitude or have skipped a meal.

Manigua and Medellin add regional flavors

After Huitaca, the route continues to two more local craft-beer spots, Manigua and Medellin. These stops keep the focus on Bogotá’s independent beer scene rather than limiting the experience to large commercial brands.

The appeal is variety. Some tastings may use ingredients such as coffee, chocolate, or passion fruit, all mentioned as examples of the local flavors that can turn up in Colombian craft beer. You may find that one beer is your favorite and another is less successful for your taste. That is part of the value of a tasting tour. You get a wider sample than you would by ordering at random, and you can ask why a beer tastes the way it does.

Do not expect every stop to run exactly the same way on every date. Beer supplies can change, and one visit had to adjust because a venue was out of a planned beer. The guide substituted other local drinks and kept the experience moving. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should treat the named venues as a route rather than a guarantee of one exact pour at one exact moment.

A mini-brewery in a Bogotá neighborhood bar

One of the more interesting stops is a trendy Bogotá bar that brews its own beer. Here, you can see a mini-brewery in action while local customers come in for a drink after work.

This stop gives the tour a more ordinary city feel. You are not only visiting places designed for international visitors. Some bars on the route cater more to tourists, while others feel more local. That contrast helps you see how craft beer fits into daily social life in Bogotá.

It is also a good place to ask your guide about the local bar scene. Guides such as Andrea and Alejandra have been praised for offering broader tips about Colombia, not just beer facts. The conversation can range from the neighborhood to local drinks and other places worth visiting, depending on the group.

One practical point: the start time affects the atmosphere. An early departure may mean that the first bars are quiet, which some people will like. If you want a livelier after-work crowd, check the available starting times before booking. A later afternoon or early evening departure may suit you better, but the exact options depend on the date.

The final stop and Bogotá’s broadest beer choice

The last destination offers one of the biggest craft-beer selections in Bogotá. A large menu is useful after several focused tastings because you can choose something closer to your own taste rather than simply accepting the guide’s next sample.

One group ended at Casa Magola, where the food and atmosphere made a strong finish. The exact final venue can vary, so I would not book solely for that name. The important feature is the chance to settle into a bar with a broad selection and, in some cases, food available.

This is also where the social side of the tour often reaches its peak. You have already played a game, walked between several bars, and shared a series of unfamiliar drinks. By the last stop, the group usually has plenty to discuss. Some people have continued drinking with the guide or fellow participants after the scheduled three hours, but that is extra time and extra expense, not a promised part of the tour.

Chicha, aguardiente, and drinks beyond beer

Although the main subject is craft beer, the experience can include traditional Colombian drinks. Chicha has appeared during the tour, and aguardiente may be available or added when participants ask to try it. These drinks matter because they show that Colombian drinking culture is not built around beer alone.

Chicha, in particular, gives the historical section more meaning. It connects the tasting to indigenous traditions and offers a sharp contrast with modern brewery experiments. A guide may also introduce flavored spirits or other local beverages, depending on the route and the group’s interests.

If you do not drink beer, tell the guide at the start. One participant who did not drink beer was helped with alternative drinks, but another found that alternatives were not available at several bars. That is the clearest limitation for non-beer drinkers. You may be accommodated, but you should not assume that every venue will have an equal substitute.

What $58 buys you in three hours

At $58 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to drink in Bogotá. It can still be good value if you want a guided route, historical context, and several tastings without having to choose the venues yourself.

Your price includes a bottle of beer, five pints or glasses, and samples. It also covers the guide’s explanations and the work of moving a small group through several locations. If you ordered a similar amount independently, the drinks alone could take up much of the cost, though your final value depends on the size of the pours and the individual venue prices.

I would compare this experience with a self-guided bar crawl in the following way: going alone gives you more control and may cost less, but you will miss the historical thread and the introduction to places you might not find on your own. The tour works best when you value access, company, and local context as much as the beer itself.

The amount of alcohol is the other side of the value question. Five pints or glasses plus a bottle and samples is substantial. Eat beforehand, drink water when you can, and do not plan a demanding activity afterward. One person described being drunk by the end, so you should take that possibility seriously rather than treating the servings as tiny samples.

The guides make or break the experience

The strongest part of this tour is the guiding. Melissa has been praised repeatedly for her warmth, clear explanations, and ability to make the group feel comfortable. Cristian has been described as an excellent communicator who could talk about both the beer and the wider area. Camila, Andrea, Alejandra, Maria, Yuly, and other guides have also helped turn the route into a social evening.

You should not expect the same guide on every departure. That means the personality of the afternoon can change, but the repeated strength of the guiding is reassuring. The best guides do more than name the beer style. They explain ingredients, connect drinks to Colombian culture, answer questions, and help solo participants join the conversation.

The group itself matters, too. One visitor found the people on the tour were what made the outing special. That is not a flaw in the format. A tasting route with up to 10 people depends partly on chemistry, and a friendly group can make even an ordinary venue feel memorable.

Who should book, and who should skip it

I would book this tour if you enjoy beer, like learning through food and drink, and want an easy way to meet people in Bogotá. It is particularly well suited to solo visitors, couples who want a social evening, and anyone who prefers a guide to independent research.

It is also a good choice if you want more than international-style craft beer. The mix of chicha, aguardiente, Tapazo, indigenous influences, and modern brewing gives the tour a wider Colombian focus.

I would hesitate if you dislike beer, want a quiet tasting with small pours, or need a fully alcohol-free route. Alternatives may be found, but they are not assured at every stop. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, and the alcohol volume makes it a poor fit for anyone who needs to stay completely clear-headed.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, though the route includes movement between multiple bars. Ask about the day’s exact arrangements if you need specific assistance. Also check the start time, since an early departure may produce a quieter first stop.

FAQ

Where does the Bogotá craft beer tour meet?

The meeting point is Cranky Croc hostel at Cl. 12d #346 in Bogotá, Colombia.

How long does the tour last?

The scheduled duration is three hours. Some groups have continued socializing after the planned finish, but that extra time is not part of the stated duration.

How many drinks are included?

The package includes one bottle of beer, five pints or glasses of beer, and samples.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour has a live English-speaking guide.

How large is the group?

The tour is limited to 10 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which keeps your plans flexible.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want Bogotá’s beer scene explained through local history, traditional drinks, and a friendly group. The best reasons are the guides, the variety of venues, and the chance to try more than beer alone.

Skip it if you are looking for a short, low-alcohol tasting or guaranteed alternatives at every stop. For a social three-hour outing with a strong cultural angle, $58 is fair value, provided you are ready for the generous amount of alcohol and the occasional change in venue or beer.