Beer Tasting Tours Throughout Sonoma & Napa
Beer tasting in the heart of the wine country is one of the best experiences you will have – and it is a service that Executive Charters & Limousine offers. Sonoma County and Napa Valley are areas where you can sense the level of pride in all the beers you taste. This also includes the historical pride each of the local breweries provides. We work directly with these breweries to schedule both public and private beer tasting tours throughout the year.
During these guided beer tours, you’ll travel with a group of friends and family across the wine country – also known as the beer country – tasting the very best brews and ales California has to offer. Tours are led by a professional driver in either a van, transporter, or charter bus. You’ll see a variety of different breweries during your trip, depending on which selections are included in your tour or when you selected when booking your adventure. If you aren’t sure which ones you should visit, just let us know and we’ll be glad to help you create your itinerary. We have over a decade of experience in both wine tours and beer tours, and we love helping our customers get the very most out of their experience.
Guided tours are a safe and responsible approach to the brewery experience. When you take advantage of our charter bus tours, your entire group will be able to safely enjoy as many beers as you’d like. There wouldn’t be a need to worry about who will be left as the designated driver as the rest of the group samples the beer.
Ask us at Executive Charters what we recommend as the best breweries to visit during your trip. This is the easiest way for you to have the best experience if you are new to these tours. Additionally, we’ll recommend places to eat nearby – all local establishments that we personally enjoy off the clock when we’re not providing you with superior transportation. On most tours, you’ll see breathtaking sights of the wine country, and your driver may educate you on some of the local history if you are new to the area.
A common question we get from clients is: What will my beer tasting tour cost? The length of the tour, number of people who will be attending, and method of transportation will all have an effect on the overall price of your tour. Call us at 707-867-7306 or contact us via our contact page to get a specific quotation for the tour you have in mind.
Tips for Beer Tasting in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County & Napa Valley
Once you have worked with us to create the perfect tour, it will be time to explore the beer tasting process. There are some important factors to keep in mind while you are sampling different brews. We’ve compiled some of these helpful tips so you can confidently approach your beer tasting experience knowing what to look for in the various types of beer. These tips also will help you to get the full flavor profile of a brew and become a true connoisseur of beer.
How Does the Beer Look? – Before taking a sip, look at the beer in your glass. You’ll want to focus on the color, clarity and the formation of the head. You can find a light beer tends to be a pale yellow color or a dark black can offer some bold flavor. Take note of the color and the clarity. Is it hazy or cloudy or can you see through it well? Then take note of the head. Beer’s head is affected by the barley malt proteins, hops and the strains of yeast used in the brewing. Taking note of this is important, because as you gain a better understanding of the appearance, you develop a better understanding of what it tells you about the flavor profile later on. You can use that on one of your future beer tasting tours.
The Scent of Beer – When you are tasting, you will discover the effect the aroma your beer has on the experience. Often, the taste of your beer will come from the aroma it has. If your glass isn’t filled to the brim, give it a swirl and then lift it to your nose. Here, you can determine if there are hints of toasted and roasted malts or a fruity profile that will affect the flavor. For some blends, a spicy and earthy scent may be present or even a bitter aroma that comes directly from the hops. As you are doing this, pull out scents you recognize as this will help you discern the full flavor profile of the beer you will be drinking.
The Taste of the Beer – While some believe the focus on the beer should solely be on the taste, you’ll notice that the aroma leading up to the first sip will enhance your overall appreciation of it. As you take your first sip, make sure the beer covers your entire palate. Savor it for a moment and take note of the flavors coming through. This will be the time to compare what you taste with what you smelled earlier. Swallow and allow the after taste to linger for a moment and take note of any overtones that remain. Is it sour or tart? Then take another sip and determine if you notice the same hints or if you are noticing something new. A quality-brewed ale can provide many different flavor profiles. Can you taste them all?
The Feeling of the Beer – This is the feeling you have when the beer comes in contact with your palate. Some beer is bubbly and tingly thanks to the carbonation. Others have a creamy and smooth texture to them. Take note of this and be open to talking about the full range of senses with the group as this can add to the experience you have on your tour.
When you’re out on your tour, just take a moment to enjoy your experience. Simply allowing the flavors and aromas to tell you stories about the beer you’re drinking will greatly enhance your enjoyment and your understanding of the beer-making process.
Read more about the Brewery Tours we provide. Then, give us a call at 707-867-7306 or contact us via our contact page.
We had the most PERFECT night at the baseball game and it wasn't all due to the Giants winning... It was the service we received from Executive Charters & Limousine and the driver, Mario! I will use no one else ever again!
