Forget wine tours, now there are beer cruises

The explosion of craft breweries around the world is sending cruisers on the ultimate beer run.

Forget wine tourism – cruise lines are tapping into the explosion of craft breweries around the world. We’re fascinated by schooners, pints, ponies, middies and jugs, and want to learn about the brewing process.

Avalon Waterways is one of the lines hopping to it, offering a number of beer-themed cruises through Switzerland, France, Germany, Holland and Belgium, where cruisers sail with a beer expert who will pair special on-board tastings with shore experiences. On the Tulip Time Cruise for Beer Enthusiasts itinerary, brewer and beer sommelier Dennis Kort will host lectures, and food-and-beer-pairings through Holland and Belgium.

Highlights of the eight-day cruise from Amsterdam and back include a brewery visit in Antwerp. In Ghent, cruisers will join a local expert for a guided tour of the city, before taking a canal boat tour with a brewery visit included. Back on board, Avalon Waterways now offers free house beer (as well as wine, spirits, and a featured cocktail of the day) during happy hour on its European voyages.

Tauck is running a special-interest cruise to mark the pinnacle of beer celebrations. Its Autumn Along the Rhine: Munich’s Oktoberfest itinerary includes reserved seating (all-important for this popular event) for lunch in one of the traditional brewery tents, as well as a beer-paired German lunch in Heidelberg with the brew master of an award-winning brewery. Add to this a leisurely Beers and Bites Old Town walking tour in Amsterdam. The 10-day journey includes seven nights sailing from Amsterdam to Basel (or vice versa). There are three Oktoberfest itineraries in September 2024 and so far two are scheduled for September 2025.

Avalon Waterways now offers free house beer during happy hour on its European voyages. Picture: John Amatucci (Supplied).

Love beer but gluten-intolerant or coeliac? We found a holiday for you – Celiac Cruise has a sailing along the Danube in October. The company charters vessels, in this case AmaWaterways’ AmaViola, offering a 100 per cent gluten-free river sailing. On board, such brews as Holidaily gluten-free beer from Colorado are available. This journey begins with an Oktoberfest party in Vilshofen, Germany, complete with gluten-free beer and pretzels. Other highlights include a Viennese concert, and a hike up to Bratislava Castle before arriving in Budapest.

Closer to home, Carnival Cruise Line recently released a brand-new bespoke brew on board Carnival Splendor. To celebrate working with Australia’s oldest pub brewery, Sydney’s Lord Nelson Brewery, for a decade the cruise line has released Lord Nelson’s Smooth Sailing Cruising Ale. The session ale, which is low alcohol with a touch of hops, is being poured from taps on board right now.

And on Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge, which will return to our shores in October, craft-beer lovers can sample some of the world’s best on tap at Craft Social. There’s a choice of 40 boutique selections, best ordered with a side of truffle fries or Kobe-style beef sliders. Prefer your craft beer among greenery and with a view? Head to Eden where a range of ales come with glorious ocean vistas.

Originally published as Forget wine tours, now there are beer cruises