Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour

Three breweries, one easy ride. I like the small-group setup and the behind-the-scenes brewery stops, so you get context instead of just hopping from bar to bar. You’ll sample along the way with round-trip transportation and a local guide who keeps the pace fun.

The trade-off is time: plan on about 50 minutes at each brewery. You’ll also need to follow the rules on shoes and alcohol, including closed-toe shoes and no pre-gaming.

Key points to know before you go

• Three breweries, one guided route: Flying Fish, Double Nickel, and Yards all in one tour window.
• Up to 12 craft beers plus snacks: generous sampling without you having to decide everything solo.
• Behind-the-scenes access: ingredient-to-glass stories and brewery walkthroughs at each stop.
• Small group size (max 14): easier conversation with your guide and a less hectic feel.
• Real-world Philadelphia convenience: round-trip transportation from a central meeting point near public transit.

The vibe: small group, guided tastings, no driving

This tour is built for people who want beer education and tastings without the planning headache. You’re handed a round-trip ride, and you don’t have to play driver across multiple brewery areas. The tour runs about 3 hours 30 minutes, with a tight, efficient schedule that keeps you moving from one local favorite to another.

The group stays small, with a maximum of 14 travelers, which matters more than you’d think. With a big group, you spend your time waiting. With this size, you can actually ask questions and hear the guide’s explanations as you taste. The tour is offered in English, and you’ll get a mobile ticket.

You also get the practical basics that make tours like this worth it: a local beer guide, snacks, and up to 12 craft beers to try. That last part is where the value really lives. If you were doing this on your own, you’d be paying for transportation, taking rides back and forth, and then buying multiple tastings one-off at a time.

One thing to keep in mind: it’s not a slow, linger-all-day brewery crawl. You’ll get a solid amount of time at each stop, but it’s still a guided “see the place, taste the range” format.

Stop 1: Flying Fish Brewing Company and its sustainability story

Flying Fish is a strong opener because it mixes scale, innovation, and a clear point of view. This brewery is award-winning, and it’s described as the largest producer in South Jersey. What I like about starting here is that the guide doesn’t just talk beer flavor—they connect it to how the brewery operates and what they’re trying to do differently.

You’ll also get a sense of location without turning the tour into a sightseeing detour. Flying Fish is noted as being close to Old City Philadelphia and the Liberty Bell, which makes the whole day feel anchored in “Philly proper,” not stuck on the outskirts.

Expect behind-the-scenes coverage of the brewing process, with a focus on ingredients and how they move from production to your glass. Flying Fish’s story includes a standout tech milestone: it was the FIRST virtual brewery back in 1995, with its own website. That’s the kind of detail that makes the visit feel more than ceremonial.

The key themes you’ll hear tied to their beers are balance and sustainability. In plain terms, that points to full-flavored beers you can still drink without fatigue—exactly what you want on a tour day when you’re tasting multiple styles.

And because this is a brewery with a modern production setup, your guide should walk you through the canning and bottling operation, which adds a practical, real-industry layer to the experience.

Time on site is about 50 minutes, and it’s enough to get the story and taste a meaningful set.

Stop 2: Double Nickel Brewing Co and the Drew Perry origin

Double Nickel has a different energy than Flying Fish. If Flying Fish leans into scale and sustainability themes, Double Nickel is presented as a story of returning to a dream and building it into something real.

Head Brewer and co-founder Drew Perry is central to the narrative. The brewery’s roots are tied to Drew’s lifelong professional brewing path, starting on the packaging side and working his way up to head brewer. That kind of career arc matters because it explains the “why” behind the beer focus, not just the end result.

What makes this stop feel tangible is the physical transformation. Double Nickel is described as transforming a defunct fitness and spa center into a brewery operation of about 22,000 square feet. That’s a big reveal, because it helps you picture the brewery as a place that grew through reinvention rather than brand-new construction.

You’ll get your time on site with a guide-led visit and tastings, and this is another moment where the tour structure works. Two breweries down, you’ve already tasted a few styles and learned how production choices influence flavor. By the time you reach Double Nickel, you’re ready to compare what’s different without feeling lost.

One practical note: 50 minutes is short, so go in ready to ask one good question. If you’re the type who likes to compare brewing philosophies, this is a strong stop for that.

Stop 3: Yards Brewing Company and English-ale roots by Penn’s Landing

Yards is the last stop, and it’s positioned in a way that feels like closure: big presence, a clear historical thread, and a location that sits by the Delaware River in Penn’s Landing.

The origin story is simple and memorable. Yards began in 1995 in a 900-square foot facility in Manayunk. Since then, the brewery relocated three times, and now it overlooks the river. That growth arc is a good reminder that many beloved Philly brands started small.

What you’ll likely hear emphasized is their connection to English ales. The tour describes a blend of colonial-era tradition with modern flavor choices, and it frames Yards as a stop for understanding how that tradition evolved in a city with a historic backbone.

The tasting format at Yards is hinted at through mention of presidential flights. Translation: you’ll get a flight-style set that’s designed for sampling and comparison, which fits perfectly with the tour’s “up to 12 beers” promise.

Why this stop works so well at the end: you’ve built your beer vocabulary at the first two breweries, and now Yards gives you a style-and-story wrap-up. It’s also the kind of final stop that makes it easier to remember what you liked and why, rather than leaving with a blur of good pours.

The tasting math: how to enjoy up to 12 beers without falling behind

The tour includes up to 12 craft beers, plus snacks, which is great because tasting days can get tiring fast. Even if you love beer, your best move is to pace yourself like you’re curating the day, not cramming it.

Here’s how to make the most of the sampling structure:

• Start by tasting smaller pours first. You’ll catch differences in balance and finish before you get overwhelmed.
• Pay attention when the guide explains the theme for that brewery. It helps you label what you’re tasting while it’s still fresh.
• If you’re offered multiple options, choose one you already know and one you don’t. That gives your palate a fair comparison.

Also, follow the alcohol rules on the day. Pre-gaming is strictly prohibited, and anyone visibly intoxicated before the tour won’t be allowed to attend. That’s not just a legal footnote. It protects the experience for everyone, and it keeps you from losing the brewery stories mid-tour.

If you’re driving-free because the tour provides transportation, you still want to be smart about your pace. Your goal is to leave with a few favorites and a better sense of the local brewing range—not just a tired head and half-remembered stops.

Guides and group energy: Sam, Dave, and Allie bring the stories to life

A huge part of why people rate this tour so highly is the guide energy. The names Sam, Dave, and Allie show up in the experience feedback, and the consistent thread is clear: friendly, upbeat storytelling with real brewery knowledge and attention to the group’s needs.

You’ll feel it in small ways. A good guide keeps the tour moving, but not so fast that you miss the point. They also make sure you know what you’re tasting and why those beers fit the brewery’s approach.

There’s also mention that the tour can work well for special moments, like anniversaries or wedding gifts. If you’re planning a celebration, this format is practical: you get transportation, guided access, and a built-in activity that doesn’t require extra organizing on your end.

With a max group size of 14, the guide can actually react to your questions and tastes. That’s the difference between a lecture and a tour.

What to wear, what to bring, and who this fits

This tour has a few clear rules, and they’re easy to handle if you plan ahead.

Wear requirements matter. Open-toed shoes are not allowed, so bring closed-toe shoes with traction. Brewery floors and production areas can be slick, and the safety rule is there for a reason.

You also need to bring proper ID. For US citizens, bring a non-expired state ID. If you’re not from the US, bring a passport. The minimum age is 21, with no exceptions.

If food is part of your planning, there’s a vegetarian option available—tell the operator at booking if you need it.

This tour is described as operating in all weather conditions, but weather can still affect plans. The tour may require good conditions, so dress for the weather and be ready for a possible date swap if conditions are poor.

Finally, this is a smart choice for:

• beer fans who want structure and explanations
• first-timers in Philadelphia who want three stops without the logistics
• groups who want an activity that feels local and guided

It’s less ideal if you want to spend hours in one place, or if you’re not interested in sampling multiple styles.

Price and value: why this format can beat a DIY crawl

Even without a stated price here, you can judge value by what you’re getting bundled together. This tour includes round-trip transportation, a local beer guide, snacks, and up to 12 craft beers. It also has free admission tickets for the brewery visits shown in the tour flow.

DIY can sound cheaper until you price out the hidden costs: rides between locations, a designated driver, and the time spent figuring out where to go and how to compare beers efficiently. This tour handles the route and timing, so your day turns into tasting and learning instead of logistics.

The small group size is part of that value. With up to 14 travelers, you’re less likely to be stuck waiting in line for attention, and you’ll likely get more direct guidance during the pours and walkthroughs.

One more value angle: you’re getting behind-the-scenes context at each stop. That turns the tastings into a learning experience, not just a spend-your-wallet-out-on-craft-beer day.

Should you book the Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour?

I’d book this if you want a guided Philadelphia brewery tour with a tight schedule, real brewery access, and tastings that add up fast. Starting with Flying Fish’s production story, moving to Double Nickel’s Drew Perry buildout, and ending at Yards by the Delaware gives you three different flavors of brewery culture in one afternoon.

I’d skip it if you prefer to wander without structure, or if 50 minutes per stop would feel too short. And if beer sampling doesn’t match your travel style, you might find the pace more intense than relaxing.

If you want a beer day that’s organized, social, and genuinely Philly, this one makes a lot of sense.

FAQ

How long is the Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour?

It runs about 3 hours 30 minutes.

Which breweries does the tour visit?

You’ll visit Flying Fish Brewing Company, Double Nickel Brewing Co, and Yards Brewing Company.

Are there beer samples included?

Yes. The tour includes alcoholic beverages up to 12 craft beers, plus snacks.

Is transportation included?

Yes. You get round-trip transportation. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What are the rules about age?

The minimum age is 21, with no exceptions.

What do I need to bring for identification?

US citizens should bring a non-expired state ID. Non-US citizens should bring a passport.

Are open-toed shoes allowed?

No. Open-toed shoes are not allowed. You must wear closed-toe shoes.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available. You should advise at booking if you need it.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

It operates in all weather conditions, but poor weather can still lead to cancellation. If canceled for weather, you’ll be offered an alternative or a full refund.

What is the cancellation window?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Canceling less than 24 hours before is not refunded.