Craft Beer Tour Ontario: Norfolk County Back Roads with Tastings

Ten beers, four breweries, and music along the back roads of Norfolk County

The Southsider Tour is a 4.5-hour brewery tour through Norfolk County's back roads in Ontario, led by a guide who pairs craft beer tastings with live music and en route games. You'll taste a flight of beer at each of four stops, including Wishbone Brewing Co. in a converted elementary school in Nixon and historic barns now operating as brew houses. The tour includes a cooler of bottled water, snacks, and a flight of 10 beers to choose from. Minimum age is 19. Pickup is included and public transit options are nearby.

Step-by-step itinerary

Craft beer tasting and brewery visits

• Enjoy flight of 10 beers
• Visit Wishbone Brewing Co.
• Try German-style beers in Nixon
• See historic barn brew houses

The experience

The tour starts with pickup and moves through Norfolk County's back roads, stopping at four breweries where the guide walks you through what makes each beer distinct. At each location you'll taste a flight of beer. Wishbone Brewing Co., the newest addition to the route, operates out of a converted elementary school and uses German brewing methods. Historic barns have been repurposed as brew houses for the other stops, each with their own approach to craft beer.

Music and games happen en route between breweries, breaking up the drive and keeping the pace social rather than lecture-heavy. You'll have water and snacks available throughout the 4.5 hours, and the guide explains the differences in the beers as you taste them, so you're learning as you go rather than sitting through a presentation first.

What’s included

• Pickup included.
• flight of beer at each of the four breweries.
• cooler of bottled water on the van.
• snacks provided during the ride.
• live guide explaining the beers.
• music and games en route.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday to SundayDepartures at 10:30 and 16:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (19 and older) · Under 19: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by LOCOL

Is this one for you?At 4.5 hours, this tour fits into an afternoon or early evening without consuming your whole day, leaving time to explore Ontario elsewhere or grab dinner after you finish. The back roads route means you're tasting beer in working breweries rather than in a tasting room, so come ready to move between locations and be social with the group.

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Top questions

What beers will I actually taste on this tour?

You get a flight of 10 beers to choose from across the four stops, with a flight tasted at each brewery. The guide explains the differences between them as you go, so you understand what you're tasting rather than just sampling.

Is Wishbone Brewing Co. really in an old school building?

Yes, Wishbone Brewing Co. is located in a converted elementary school in Nixon and uses German methods to craft their beers, which sets it apart from the other stops on the route.

How much of the 4.5 hours is actually spent driving versus tasting?

The tour moves between four breweries along the back roads of Norfolk County, so you're splitting time between the van and each location. Music and games happen during the drives to keep things moving.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes pickup, a flight of beer at each brewery, bottled water in a cooler on the van, and snacks during the ride. You'll need to be at least 19 years old to participate.

Can I get to the tour without a car?

Public transportation options are available nearby, so you can reach the pickup point without driving yourself.