Craft Beer & City Tour – Rethymno Old Town

Rethymno’s old streets make a fine setting for a beer tour, but the real draw is the mix of Greek craft beer tasting and local orientation. You begin with a beer at Bricks Beers & Tales, then move through quieter pedestrian lanes before settling into a tasting session and a final drink with food near the Venetian Harbour.

I like the maximum group size of eight, which should make it easier to ask questions and keep the walk personal. I also like that the guide is a local beer specialist and home brewer, not simply someone leading you from bar to bar. The main consideration is that this is a walking evening with alcohol, so it is not a good match if you have walking difficulties, are bringing a baby, or prefer a seated food tour.

Key points

• Five Greek craft beers: You’ll have samples and full pours, with styles matched to your preferences and the season.
• A useful first evening in Rethymno: The walk through Old Town helps you get your bearings while seeing monuments and photo stops.
• Three beer-focused stops: The route includes Bricks Beers & Tales, a tucked-away beer hangout, and a final stop near the Venetian Harbour.
• Small-group format: The tour accepts no more than eight people, making conversation with the guide more practical.
• Food is part of the price: Quality finger food is served with the final beer, along with smaller snacks during the experience.
• Plan for the Cretan sun and streets: Bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and carry a light extra layer for the evening.

Why this Rethymno beer walk works

At $102.41 per person, this is not the cheapest way to drink beer in Rethymno. You are paying for more than five pours, though. The price includes a guided Old Town walk, a short lesson in craft beer, stops at several beer places, snacks, finger food, a souvenir, and all fees and taxes.

That package makes the tour more useful at the start of a stay than at the end. You get a basic map of the center, learn where the beer bars are, and receive some help understanding Greek craft beer. You also avoid having to choose every bar yourself, which has real value in a city where your evening time is limited.

The tour runs for about three hours and begins at 6:00 pm. That timing gives you a transition from the hotter part of the day into the evening, though you should still arrive hydrated. The instructions specifically call for your own water bottle, a hat, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes.

You should also bring valid identification. This is an alcohol tasting, and the provider asks you not to drink and drive. Since no private transportation is included, plan to reach the starting point and return from it on foot or by your own arrangements.

Starting at Bricks Beers & Tales

The meeting point is Bricks Beers & Tales, at Eleftheríou Venizélou 41. The first hour begins with a refreshing beer and an introduction to craft beer in general, along with a look at the local Greek scene.

This is a sensible opening because it gives you a frame for the rest of the night. Instead of receiving a flight of beers with no explanation, you get a short crash course before comparing different styles. The guide is also a home brewer, so the conversation can cover how beer is made as well as what is in your glass.

The opening stop is described as one of the top craft beer pubs in Rethymno. You can expect this part to feel more like a relaxed welcome than a formal class. The emphasis is on learning enough to notice differences, not memorizing brewing terms.

I would use this first beer to tell the guide what you normally like. If you prefer lighter, bitter, malty, fruity, or stronger beers, say so early. The later tasting is adjusted to guest preferences and what is available in the season, so your answer can help shape the selection.

The first hour also includes the beginning of the Old Town walk. That makes the opening drink more than a bar visit. You start learning the layout of central Rethymno before the route moves farther into the older lanes.

Walking the quieter lanes of Rethymno Old Town

After the welcome drink, the group heads through lesser-known pedestrian streets in the Old Town. The walk covers the city’s multicultural past and points out notable monuments, while also giving you a practical sense of where the center sits in relation to the harbour.

This is one of the strongest parts of the experience for a first visit. A beer tasting alone can be repeated in any city. Pairing it with a slow walk gives you a reason to notice the streets and buildings between drinks.

The wording of the route suggests a relaxed pace rather than a long-distance hike. Still, this is a walking tour on old-town streets, and the provider does not recommend it for people with walking difficulties. The route and stops may change if the weather turns poor.

Wear shoes you can comfortably use for three hours. The instructions also recommend weather-appropriate clothes, a hat, sunglasses, and an extra layer. That last item matters because you start in the early evening and finish after dark, when the air may feel cooler than it did during the afternoon.

The walk is also a chance to ask questions about the city beyond beer. You may want to ask which streets are worth returning to, where to find more local drinks, or which monuments deserve another look in daylight. The tour is not presented as a full history walk, so keep your expectations focused on orientation and a beer-centered view of the Old Town.

The second stop and its beer-style tasting

The next hour takes you to a well-camouflaged craft beer hangout in Rethymno Old Town. The setting appears intended to feel less obvious than a prominent waterfront bar, and the main event here is a multi-style tasting.

This is where the tour’s brewing angle matters most. Instead of sticking to one brand or one type of beer, you sample several styles. The selection depends on the season and your preferences, so this stop should give you a better sense of how broad Greek craft brewing can be.

The five beers included in the experience are served as a combination of samples and full pours. The exact split is not specified, so you should not assume five full-size drinks. The final stop includes a full beer on tap of your choice, while the earlier tasting includes smaller samples.

That distinction is useful for pacing. You can compare several beers without having to finish a full glass of every style. The guide can explain what you are tasting and help you notice basic differences in aroma, bitterness, body, and strength, though the exact teaching format may vary with the group.

I like the fact that seasonal availability is part of the plan. It means the tasting is not presented as a fixed menu that never changes. The tradeoff is that you cannot know the exact beers in advance. If you want one particular brewery or style, ask the guide at the start rather than expecting it to appear.

The group limit of eight should help here. A large beer tour can turn a tasting into a one-way speech. With fewer people, you have a better chance to ask about brewing, local pubs, and the beers in front of you.

A final beer by the Venetian Harbour

The final hour returns toward the Old Venetian Harbour, with a stop at one of the route’s best photo points along the way. The walk remains slow, giving you time to take pictures and enjoy the change from narrow Old Town streets to the harbour setting.

At the last stop, you choose a beer on tap and receive quality finger food. This is more substantial than simply placing a bowl of snacks on the bar. The supplied details describe super tasty and quality finger food, though they do not list specific dishes or promise options for dietary needs.

If you have allergies or follow a particular diet, ask before booking or contact the provider in advance. The available information confirms that food is included, but it does not confirm vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-safe choices.

The ending is deliberately open. You can treat the stop as the end of the activity, or continue your evening from there. Since the activity returns to its meeting point, you are not being left at a remote location without a clear finish.

The harbour stop also gives the evening a good visual close. Rethymno’s Venetian waterfront is a natural place for photos, and the tour builds in time for that rather than rushing from one tasting to the next. You should bring your phone or camera, but keep the focus on enjoying the walk. This is not a dedicated photography tour.

What the $102.41 price includes

The cost looks high if you compare it with the price of an individual beer. It makes more sense when you add the included elements: five Greek craft beers, a guided walk, three beer-related stops, a beer lesson, snacks, finger food, a souvenir, and taxes.

You are also paying for the guide’s local knowledge and home-brewing background. That can be valuable if you are curious about beer but do not know how to compare styles on your own. The walk saves you from researching pubs and building a route through the Old Town.

Still, value depends on your drinking habits. If you only want one beer and a short stroll, the tour will feel expensive. If you enjoy trying several beers, want a small group, and would otherwise pay for a separate evening activity, the package is easier to justify.

The final full beer and food help balance the cost, but the exact quantity of snacks is not specified. You should think of the included food as tasting food or finger food, not as a replacement for a full dinner. Eat something beforehand if you usually need a substantial meal with alcohol.

There is no private transport, and gratuities are not included. You do not need a vehicle for the walk itself, but you are responsible for getting to Bricks Beers & Tales and making your own arrangements after the evening.

Who should book this small-group experience

I would recommend this tour most strongly to adults who enjoy craft beer and want a gentle introduction to Rethymno. It suits a first evening in town, especially if you want orientation without signing up for a long historical walk.

It is also a good fit if you prefer conversation over a large organized group. Eight people is the maximum, and that size should make it easier to speak with the guide and compare preferences with the rest of the group.

Beer enthusiasts will appreciate the home-brewing angle and the range of styles. You do not need to be an expert, though. The opening crash course is designed to give beginners a useful starting point.

I would hesitate if you have walking limitations, are caring for a baby, or dislike changing locations during a night out. The tour moves through Old Town streets for about three hours, and the provider specifically says it is not recommended for people with walking difficulties or families with babies.

Weather also matters. The provider can alter the route or stops when conditions require it, and a cancellation caused by poor weather may lead to another date or a full refund. Pack for the forecast, especially if you are booking in a hot period when you may underestimate how much water you need.

The experience is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can take part, but alcohol, walking, and weather remain the key practical factors.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at booking, and the tour is commonly reserved about two weeks ahead. That timing suggests you should not leave it until the last evening if your dates are fixed, particularly because the group is limited to eight people.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 6:00 pm start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local time.

The tour requires a minimum number of participants. If that number is not reached, the provider offers another date or experience, or a full refund. Poor weather can lead to the same choices.

Arrive ready to walk, drink responsibly, and spend the evening outdoors and in pubs rather than sitting in one place. A water bottle, valid ID, comfortable footwear, and an extra layer are the practical basics.

Should you book the Rethymno craft beer tour?

Book it if you want a social evening with local beer, Old Town orientation, and food in one activity. The small group, home-brewer guide, seasonal tasting, photo stops, and final harbour drink give the tour a clear identity beyond ordinary bar hopping.

Skip it if your priority is a full meal, a deep architectural history tour, or the freedom to choose every beer yourself. The $102.41 price is best justified by the complete evening package, not by the drink count alone.

For the right person, this is a smart first-night choice in Rethymno. You get a taste of the local beer scene, a look at the Old Town, and a pleasant route toward the Venetian Harbour, all at a pace that leaves room for conversation.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Bricks Beers & Tales, Eleftheríou Venizélou 41, Rethymno 741 31, Greece.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 6:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How many beers are included?

Five Greek craft beers are included, served as samples and full pours. The final stop includes a beer on tap of your choice.

Is food included?

Yes. Snacks and quality finger food are included. Specific dishes and dietary choices are not provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The route or stops may be changed because of weather. If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.