Oktoberfest Walking Brewery Tour in Malt Row

Chicago’s brewing story is easy to miss if you stick to downtown. This four-hour walk heads north to Ravenswood’s Malt Row, where three very different breweries give you a taste of the city’s beer culture, past and present. At a maximum of 10 people, the group stays small enough for conversation and questions along the way.

I like the mix of beer styles and brewery personalities: Dovetail focuses on European traditions, Begyle offers a broad range, and Cultivate brings botanicals into the picture. I also like that the guide shares local history and recommendations, with reserved seating and discounts at most stops.

One thing to plan for: the $39 price does not include most drinks, and the tour spends about 45 minutes at each brewery. If you want a meal or to linger over a pint, you may need to watch the clock or stay at Cultivate after the tour ends.

• Three distinct breweries: Visit Dovetail, Begyle, and Cultivate by Forbidden Root in Ravenswood.
• A local-history focus: Hear about Chicago brewing, not just the beer in your glass.
• Small group: The tour is limited to 10 people, which makes it easier to ask questions.
• Time to order: Each brewery stop lasts about 45 minutes, with reserved seating and discounts at most stops.
• Drinks cost extra: The tour cannot provide alcoholic drinks; free samples are included at Begyle.
• Useful transit finish: The tour ends at Cultivate, and the guide can accompany you to the Brown Line for a trip toward the Loop.

Malt Row, beyond the downtown beer trail

Ravenswood’s Malt Row offers a different Chicago afternoon from the city’s better-known central sights. Rather than moving between landmarks by bus or car, you walk through a neighborhood built around local breweries, with time to get a feel for each taproom.

The tour begins at Northcenter Town Square, 4100 N Damen Ave, at 2 pm. It ends at Cultivate by Forbidden Root, 4710 N Ravenswood Ave. The overall experience lasts about four hours, though the supplied schedule gives 45 minutes at each of the three breweries. That leaves time for the walk between stops and the guide’s commentary.

The group limit of 10 is a practical plus. You are not trying to hear a guide over a large crowd, and it is easier to ask about a beer style, a local detail, or what to order next. Past groups have had guides named Adam, Mark, and Andy. The names can vary, but the tour is clearly designed around a guide who can talk beer and Chicago history in an informal way.

Dovetail: European styles and a guided Hefeweizen tasting

Dovetail is the first stop, and its focus is Continental European beer styles. The brewery is known for Kolsch and lagers, along with wild-fermentation ales. The planned guided tasting centers on its Hefeweizen, a wheat beer that gives the guide a useful starting point for explaining style and flavor.

This is a good first stop because it gives the tour a clear theme: beer is not one flavor or one brewing tradition. Dovetail’s emphasis on European styles sets up a contrast with the range you will encounter at Begyle and the botanical approach at Cultivate. If you are used to ordering only familiar lagers or pale ales, this is a chance to ask your guide for a recommendation that takes you a little outside your usual choice.

The stop is scheduled for about 45 minutes. That is enough time to take part in the tasting and order something else if you wish, but not an invitation to settle in for the whole afternoon. Alcohol is not included in the $39 tour price, and the provider says it cannot supply drinks under city law. The tour description specifies a guided Hefeweizen tasting, but does not spell out how that pour is charged. Ask about the cost before ordering if you are keeping to a budget.

Begyle: a broad menu and samples included

Begyle Brewing is known for its Community Supported Brewery model and a wide selection of styles. The idea behind that model is community participation in a brewery’s work, and it helps explain why this stop feels like a different chapter from Dovetail’s concentrated focus on European traditions.

Free samples are included here, which gives you a chance to try beer without adding another purchase to the tour bill. The exact sample styles can vary. Past tour experiences have included a peach sour, a useful reminder that Begyle’s range can reach well beyond the standard lineup. Your guide can help you choose, especially if you are curious about a less familiar style.

You get about 45 minutes at Begyle. That is enough time to sample and look over the menu, though you should not expect an extended brewery visit. The tour offers discounts at most stops, but does not specify the discount amount or precisely which purchases qualify. Treat any savings as a bonus rather than the reason to book.

Cultivate: botanical beers, food, and the finish

The final brewery is Cultivate by Forbidden Root, known for beers and other beverages infused with botanicals. This is the most different stop in the trio: where Dovetail looks to European beer traditions and Begyle spreads across a range of styles, Cultivate uses plant-based ingredients as part of its identity.

The brewery also has a full-service restaurant, so this is the most practical place to eat during the tour. The visit is scheduled for roughly 45 minutes, which may feel short if you want both a full meal and a drink. If food is part of your plan, consider arriving hungry and ordering promptly, or ask the guide whether there is time to stay after the formal tour concludes.

Cultivate is also where the tour ends. If you want to return toward downtown with the guide, the guide walks to the Brown Line, which serves the Loop and connects with other lines along the way. The tour does not include private transportation, so plan to use public transit, a taxi, or another option after the group finishes.

What the guide adds to the beer

The guide’s role is more than leading the walk from door to door. The tour includes historical information about Chicago brewing, and that context helps make the three breweries feel connected rather than like a string of unrelated taprooms. Chicago’s beer story is part of the city’s working and neighborhood history, and the guide gives you a way to understand how today’s small breweries fit into it.

The guiding style also appears to be conversational rather than tightly scripted. That matters if you prefer asking questions and getting recommendations over listening to a long lecture. Guides named Adam, Mark, and Andy have led the tour, and the consistent practical value is having someone who can help you make sense of the brewery choices and the local scene.

You do not need to be a beer expert to get something from the tour. A curious drinker can use the guide’s advice to try a style they might otherwise pass over. Chicago residents may also find the historical angle worthwhile: the tour is not only a tasting route, but a neighborhood walk with stories about how brewing developed in the city.

Is $39 good value?

At $39, the tour is best understood as a guided neighborhood experience, not an all-inclusive tasting package. You are paying for the small-group guide, historical context, a planned route through three breweries, reserved seating, and discounts at most stops. Begyle includes free samples, but alcoholic drinks at other stops are not covered by the ticket.

Your total cost depends on what you order. If you stick to the included Begyle samples and buy little else, the tour may stay close to its stated price. If you want a drink at every brewery or a meal at Cultivate, budget more. The tour does not state the price of pours, flights, or food, so check menus and current discounts when you arrive.

The value is strongest if you want someone else to plan the route and explain what you are tasting. You could visit breweries on your own, but you would miss the guided links between beer styles, local history, and neighborhood character. If all you want is a low-cost pint, going directly to one brewery may be cheaper.

Practical details before you go

The tour starts at 2 pm at Northcenter Town Square, 4100 N Damen Ave, and ends at Cultivate, 4710 N Ravenswood Ave. It is near local bus stops, and public transportation is the sensible way to plan the day. Private transportation is not included.

The experience runs about four hours and has a maximum group size of 10. Wear shoes you are comfortable walking in, and allow some flexibility in your afternoon. The exact walking time between breweries is not specified, so do not assume the schedule is a series of immediate, back-to-back tastings.

You must be of legal drinking age to take part in samples. Anyone underage, or anyone who does not want samples, should select the child option when booking. Service animals are allowed, but pets are not permitted at some breweries or on the tour.

A mobile ticket is provided, and booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

Who will enjoy this Ravenswood walk?

This tour suits beer lovers who want to learn as they taste, especially if they enjoy comparing different brewing approaches. It also works well for a visitor who has already seen the downtown sights and wants an afternoon in a Chicago neighborhood. A local can enjoy it too, since the history covers more than what is obvious from the taproom menu.

It is less suited to someone who wants a full meal at every stop, a long visit at one brewery, or an all-inclusive drinks package. The schedule is structured, and the ticket does not cover most alcohol. If you prefer to set your own pace, visit one or two of the breweries independently instead.

Should you book the Malt Row brewery tour?

Book it if you want three distinct brewery stops, a small group, and a guide who can put Chicago beer into context. The strongest reasons to go are the contrast between Dovetail, Begyle, and Cultivate, plus the local history and on-the-spot recommendations.

Skip it if you mainly want the cheapest possible beer, need a private ride, or want to linger for hours at each brewery. For a curious drinker with an open afternoon, the $39 tour offers a well-planned way to explore Ravenswood and taste beyond your usual order. Just budget separately for drinks and consider saving your appetite for Cultivate.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about four hours. Each of the three brewery visits is scheduled for roughly 45 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 2 pm.

Where does the tour begin?

Meet at Northcenter Town Square, 4100 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60618.

Where does the tour end?

The final stop is Cultivate by Forbidden Root, 4710 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60640.

Which breweries are included?

The tour visits Dovetail Brewery, Begyle Brewing, and Cultivate by Forbidden Root.

Are drinks included in the $39 price?

Alcoholic beverages are not generally included. Free samples are included at Begyle. The tour description also specifies a guided Hefeweizen tasting at Dovetail, but does not state how that pour is charged.

Is there a group size limit?

Yes. The tour has a maximum of 10 people.

Can children join the tour?

Anyone under legal drinking age cannot take part in samples. The tour information says underage participants, and anyone who does not want samples, should select the child option.

Can I bring a pet?

Only service animals are allowed. Pets are not permitted at some breweries or on the tour.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the tour are not accepted for a refund.