Craft Beer and Local Food Pairing

A 3.5-hour premium guided tour pairing Nottingham's locally-brewed craft beers with complementary small food items at four different venues across the city centre. The tour starts at Castle Rock Brewery tap room and visits three additional bars and restaurants selected for their craft beer selection. A knowledgeable guide explains beer styles, brewing techniques, and food pairing principles while you taste four different local beers alongside savoury and sweet food matches. Transport between venues is included, ensuring you can safely taste beer without driving. Booking ahead is essential for weekend tours as spaces fill quickly. Best for beer enthusiasts and those wanting premium experience. This is a easy activity lasting 3.5 hours. Group size: max 14. You meet at Castle Rock Brewery tap room. Key highlights: Four local craft beers from Nottingham breweries, Food pairings designed to complement each beer's flavour profile, Transport between venues included.

Price: £42

Duration: 3.5 hours

Difficulty: easy

Group size: max 14

Minimum age: 18+

Best for: beer enthusiasts and those wanting premium experience

Best time: Early evening tours Thursday-Sunday; spring and autumn for optimal brewery activity; book weekends 2-3 weeks in advance

Meeting point: Castle Rock Brewery tap room

Languages: English

Here is how the experience unfolds:

5:30pm Meet at Castle Rock Brewery tap room - Guide introduces Nottingham's craft beer scene and explains pairing principles for the evening.

5:45pm First brewery: IPA tasting with savoury food - Taste Castle Rock's IPA paired with a savoury item like cheese or cured meat; guide discusses hop profiles.

6:20pm Transport to second venue - Small group coach or minibus takes participants to the next craft beer bar across the city.

6:45pm Second venue: stout or dark ale with food pairing - Taste a darker local beer paired with richer food such as smoked fish, dark chocolate, or meat pie.

7:20pm Transport to third venue - Minibus to another craft beer focused bar or restaurant.

7:50pm Third and fourth venues: additional pairings - Taste two more local beers (perhaps a lager and a specialty ale) with complementary food items; guide shares brewery stories.

9:00pm Tour concludes - Final venue or return to start point; guide recommends other breweries and bars for independent exploration.

The whole experience takes 3.5 hours. Difficulty: easy. You meet at Castle Rock Brewery tap room.

• Four local craft beers from Nottingham breweries
• Food pairings designed to complement each beer's flavour profile
• Transport between venues included
• Knowledgeable guide explaining brewing and pairing techniques
• Starting point at Castle Rock Brewery, one of Nottingham's largest independent brewers
• Accessibility: Minibus or small coach transport included; check with operator about wheelchair access to minibus; some venues have step access; guide can accommodate slower pace at walking points

What is included: Guided 3.5-hour beer and food pairing tour, Four craft beer tastings, Four food pairings at respective venues, Transport between all venues via minibus or coach, Educational commentary about beer styles and food pairing.

Not included: Additional alcoholic drinks beyond four tastings, Full meals or large food portions, Dinner reservations, Entrance fees to other attractions. You will need to arrange these yourself.

What to bring: Valid ID (must be 18+), Cash for additional drinks if desired, Comfortable shoes (some walking between transport stops), Jacket depending on season. Having these with you makes the experience smoother.

Best time to go: Early evening tours Thursday-Sunday; spring and autumn for optimal brewery activity; book weekends 2-3 weeks in advance.

Tip: Transport between venues included

Tip: Book ahead for weekend tours

Accessibility: Minibus or small coach transport included; check with operator about wheelchair access to minibus; some venues have step access; guide can accommodate slower pace at walking points.

Operator: Nottingham Beer Tours

After this activity, these are within easy reach:

• Nottingham Castle (8 min walk from start point walk)
• The Caves of Nottingham (6 min walk from start point walk)
• National Videogame Museum (18 min walk from Hockley venues walk)

This activity is run by Nottingham Beer Tours.

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation 72 hours before; 50% refund 48-72 hours before; non-refundable within 48 hours.

Accessibility: Minibus or small coach transport included; check with operator about wheelchair access to minibus; some venues have step access; guide can accommodate slower pace at walking points.

Best time to go: Early evening tours Thursday-Sunday; spring and autumn for optimal brewery activity; book weekends 2-3 weeks in advance.

Why is booking in advance important for weekend tours?

Craft Beer and Local Food Pairing tours fill quickly on Fridays and Saturdays due to limited minibus capacity (max 14 participants). Weekend spots typically book out 2-3 weeks in advance. Weekday tours have more availability.

What happens if I don't want to drink all four beers?

You can decline any beer tasting and still enjoy the food pairings and educational content. The guide accommodates non-drinkers and designated drivers. No refund is offered for declined tastings, but skipping beers is completely acceptable.

What are Nottingham's main craft breweries?

Castle Rock is the largest; others include Welbeck Abbey, Springhead, Everards, and smaller operations like Alcazar. The tour visits different venues depending on the week, showcasing various brewers and ensuring diverse beer styles across the four tastings.