Beer Tasting & Brewery Tours in Adelaide

Adelaide beer tasting happens in two places: the craft breweries of the Adelaide Hills and the small bars tucked down the city's laneways. Both fit easily into a day out, and both sit under Adelaide food and drink experiences. This page covers what each style of beer experience involves, how to get there and how to choose.

Craft beer tastings in the Adelaide Hills

The Adelaide Hills give you a brewery setting with room to spread out. At Verdun, near Hahndorf on Mount Barker Road, a beer paddle experience gives each person four tasters to choose from the taps, paired with two cheese tasting tiles from Udder Delights and a take-home four-pack of beer. Couples, small groups and families all use it, and kids have space to roam.

If you'd rather settle into a pint, a microbrewery pint and pizza experience for two gives each person a pint of local craft beer and a deep-dish pizza, made with 48-hour fermented dough. It's a relaxed 2-hour stop.

Looking for more in this part of the hills? The Hahndorf beer tasting and brewery tours page lists what runs there.

Hidden bars on foot in Adelaide city

Adelaide's bar scene lives in its laneways, and a guide makes it easier to find. The hidden bar guided walking tour is a 2.5-hour walk that visits four local bars, with a local guide, street art along the way and your choice of drink at each stop. It meets on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 5pm at Beehive Corner, outside Haigh's Chocolates at 2 Rundle Mall.

Bring government-issued photo ID, wear smart casual clothes and comfortable closed shoes. Thongs, flip flops and high heels aren't suitable for a walking tour.

How to choose between a brewery and a bar crawl

The hills suit a relaxed afternoon in daylight, usually by car or bus from the city. The city walk suits an evening and needs no transport. A paddle of tasters is the best way to try several styles, while a pint and a pizza is a more settled meal for two.

If beer is only part of the plan, pair it with food. Cheese tastings and pizza sit alongside the beer in the hills, and the city walk fits before dinner.

Getting to the Adelaide Hills breweries

For Verdun and Hahndorf, take the South Eastern Freeway from the city tollgate entrance. It is a 10-minute run up the freeway to the Hahndorf exit, then left at the roundabout. Buses also stop right outside the Mount Barker Road venue, so you can leave the car at home.

Hop-on hop-off coaches such as the Barossa Valley city-return tour are wine-led, so see Adelaide wine tasting and winery tours for the full list of coach options, or look at the beer tasting and brewery tours across Australia if you're planning beyond South Australia.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I do beer tasting near Adelaide?

Beer tasting near Adelaide is mostly in the Adelaide Hills, where Grunthal Brew at Verdun serves beer paddles and microbrewery pints, plus a hidden bar walking tour in the city.

How do I get to the Adelaide Hills breweries from the city?

Take the South Eastern Freeway from the city tollgate entrance, drive up to the Hahndorf exit and turn left at the roundabout. A bus stops outside the Verdun venue on Mount Barker Road.

Do I need ID for beer tastings?

Yes. Participants must be 18 or over to drink alcohol and photo ID may be requested. The hidden bar walking tour asks for government-issued ID.

Are kids welcome at the Hahndorf beer tasting?

Yes. The Grunthal Brew beer paddle and cheese tasting suits families, with plenty of space for kids to roam, though only adults can drink.

When does the Adelaide hidden bar walking tour run?

The hidden bar guided walking tour runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 5pm from Beehive Corner at 2 Rundle Mall.

Is there beer tasting combined with food in Adelaide?

Yes. Beer paddles in the Adelaide Hills come with cheese tasting tiles, and the microbrewery experience includes a deep-dish pizza and a pint each.

Pick the hills for a daytime tasting or the city for an evening walk, and book the Adelaide beer experience that suits your day.