A Guide to Santa Barbara’s Craft Beer Walking Tour

Santa Barbara has long been known as a paradise of refined kinds of wine; however, its craft beer scene is quickly gaining steam. With world-class breweries within city limits, as well as some hidden gems nearby, a craft beer walking tour is the perfect way to explore the best of what Santa Barbara has to offer. In this guide, we’ll explore the best breweries in the area, share insider tips for tasting the best beer in Santa Barbara, and list the tour stops of one of the best craft beer walking tours available.

Santa Barbara’s Craft Beer Scene

Santa Barbara’s craft beer scene is a relatively new phenomenon, but it’s quickly gaining steam. While the major presence of established wineries in the area used to keep craft brewing at bay, the last decade or so has seen a surge in small, local breweries popping up all over the city. From tiny taprooms to beer gardens to high-end brewpubs, Santa Barbara offers a wide variety of craft beers to explore.

On top of that, the city is home to some world-class professional breweries like Island Brewing Company and Pure Order Brewing Co. that also bottle their beer for sale across the nation. Whether you’re looking for classic California IPAs or spicy stouts and porters, you’ll find something to suit your palate in Santa Barbara.

Tips for Exploring Santa Barbara’s Breweries

Before you set off on your craft beer walking tour of Santa Barbara, keep these tips in mind to get the most out of your experience:

• Taste before you buy. Many local breweries offer tasting flights of their beers or single samples before committing to a full pint or growler. Use these to your advantage to make sure you’re buying something that you’ll enjoy!
• Ask questions. Most breweries’ taproom staff are incredibly knowledgeable about the beer they serve. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the processes used, ingredients chosen, or favorite styles of beer—they’re there to help.
• Mix it up. Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if they don’t fall into a category you typically drink. You never know what beer may surprise you!
• Go in with an open mind. Craft beer can be daunting for those used to drinking light lagers. Have an open mind and don’t let unfamiliar terms and styles intimidate you.
• Hydrate between tastings. Beer can be dehydrating and it’s easy to forget, especially when hopping around breweries all day long. Make sure to drink water in between beers in order to stay alert and hydrated.

Santa Barbara’s Craft Beer Walking Tours

For those who don’t have time to traverse Santa Barbara’s craft beer scene on their own or who want an expert guide and insider knowledge, there are several craft beer walking tours available that will show you all the best breweries the city has to offer. One of the most popular is GetYourGuide’s Santa Barbara Craft Beer Walking Tour. Led by knowledgeable tour guides, this 3-hour walking excursion includes visits to three popular locations for craft beer tasting, and provides access to exclusive spots not always open to typical tourists. Additionally, it offers an all-you-can-drink ticket system so you can enjoy as much or as little beer as you want without worrying about price tags.

The tour begins at one of the hardest places to find a seat (or find even a spot on the sidewalk near) in Santa Barbara: Handlebar Coffee Roasters & Taproom. This small taproom hidden in the Funk Zone focuses on small batches of quality brews, often sourced from local brewers like Topa Topa and Hollister Brewing Co.

Then, it continues over to Stone Cold Brewery & Barbecue, Santa Barbara’s only microbrewery that also serves exquisite barbecue. The beers here are unique and interesting – from The Motivating Melon (a honeydew ale) to the Punkin Pie Porter (a pumpkin creation).

Finally, the tour ends at Telegraph Brewing Company, one of the oldest and most well known craft breweries in Santa Barbara. Their award winning ales have become local favorites for their unique and adventurous flavor combinations, like their Autumn Rust (an English-style chestnut brown ale) and White Ale (their signature wit beer). As this is the last stop on the tour, Telegraph offers attractive discounts on their merchandise and food ensuring that your craft beer experience is nothing short of delightful.

The Verdict

The GetYourGuide Santa Barbara Craft Beer Walking Tour is one of the best ways to explore this city’s exciting craft brewing scene. Along with knowledgeable tour guides, tasty samples at three of Santa Barbara’s top places for craft beer tasting, and generous discounts on food and merchandise at the last stop of the tour, this experience is not only educational but also fun and delightful. To truly appreciate all that Santa Barbara’s craft beer scene has to offer, I’d highly recommend booking a spot on this tour—you won’t regret it! And don’t forget to hydrate along the way!

For an unforgettable experience exploring Santa Barbara’s best craft beer spots, book a spot on GetYourGuide’s Santa Barbara Craft Beer Walking Tour.