First Full Year of Operations since 2019
As we look forward to a new year, we want to take a moment to think back on all that has taken place since 2022 began. Despite lingering challenges due to COVID-19, this past year has certainly been a time marked by significant progress and growth for City Brew Tours.
Join us as we reflect on the highlights that took place in 2022 and provide exciting news for what’s ahead in 2023.
A Year of Tours
While mid-2021 saw the resumption of brew tours in all our cities, 2022 was a year of regaining momentum and rising up to meet the renewed demand for in-person experiences.
In the beginning of the year, we still faced COVID-related challenges such as navigating last-minute brewery closures, city-wide mask or vaccine mandates, and more. Yet, we remained flexible to the circumstances and kept the ball rolling.
Over the course of 2022, we welcomed 15,794 guests on brew tours across our 11 corporate locations. We also operated 362 private brew tours for groups celebrating bachelor and bachelorette parties, company outings, and other special occasions in 2022.
To assist with this bump in numbers, we hired 49 beer guides throughout the year! In order to best set up the guides for success, we streamlined our application process and strengthened our training initiatives. Guides now have more training, more resources, and more communication channels. We even host fun, virtual beer trivia for our guides throughout the year!
In addition to returning to reliable tour schedules this year, we also began the rollout of a new tour experience: Walking brew tours. With the first of its kind launched in Philadelphia—Hops & History Walking Tour—we’re excited to introduce this experience in more cities in 2023.
New Brew Tour Locations
A big part of regaining momentum this year was launching City Brew Tours in three new cities. We celebrated the opening of Salt Lake City Brew Tours in April, introducing our award-winning, all-inclusive brew tours to a whole new area of the U.S.!
In contrast, the next location to open was back east. City Brew Tours Jersey Shore launched in June, offering access to the best craft breweries from along the coast from Sandy Hook Bay all the way to Lakewood. Now, between the South Jersey and Jersey Shore locations, we can say City Brew Tours has pretty much all of New Jersey covered!
Finally, we staked our claim in the great state of Texas in December. Though City Brew Tours Austin has yet to officially launch, opening week is right around the corner! We couldn’t be more excited to explore the renowned craft beer scene that Austin offers.
Directly on the heels of Austin, we’ll soon be welcoming another new city before long! To be one of the first to find out about new locations, sign up for the City Brew Tours newsletter.
If you don’t have a City Brew Tours in your city, then work with us to get one in your city! We’re always looking to invite entrepreneurs into our growing network of franchise locations. Learn more about franchising or inquire today, and discover how you can start a business in the craft beer industry with City Brew Tours.
Special 2022 Events
The past year allowed us to participate in and co-host special events in the craft beer industry—something we had to place on hold for a couple years.
In May, City Brew Tours Boston partnered with Samuel Adams and Lamplighter Brewing Company to support Ales for ALS fundraising efforts. Guests on these tours enjoyed tastings of the different “Beacon of Hops” beers brewed by each brewery to raise awareness and help fund the research of ALS.
When HomeBrew Con came to Pittsburgh, we offered convention goers a unique VIP Tour Experience. This special tour included visits to Abjuration Brewing, Penn Brewery, and Hop Farm Brewing Company and special discussions hosted by leaders in the Pittsburgh craft beer community.
In October, we set off to Denver for the Great American Beer Festival—a massive, annual beer festival hosted by the Brewers Association. While those who represented City Brew Tours were able to enjoy many beer samples, they also did a fantastic job of promoting our brand and franchises and strengthening our connections in the beer industry.
Looking Toward 2023
As we reflect on all that took place in 2022, we also look forward to gaining more momentum in 2023! Right off the bat, we are hitting the ground running in January 2023. In addition to the City Brew Tours Austin launch and the unveiling of the next brew tour location, we’re excited to announce that the 2023 Talent on Tap Scholarship will be open for applications!
From January 9th to March 10th, we will be accepting applications from women-identifying people of color who want to make their mark on the beer industry. The Talent on Tap scholarship awards up to $2,500 to be used towards training or education in the beer industry.
We enter the next year with positivity and a mind to always be adaptable in an ever-changing industry. To new City Brew Tour locations, new tour experiences, welcoming thousands of new guests, welcoming back returning guests, and so much more, we say—Cheers, and here’s to 2023!