Vienna: Guided tour of the Ottakringer brewery

Ottakringer’s 90-minute tour takes you behind the scenes of Vienna’s oldest private brewery, following beer’s route from the brewhouse to bottling. The story of how a local brewery makes its range is the main event, with a freshly tapped tasting waiting at the end.

I like two things about this format: you get a close look at the production process, and the guide ties it to the brewery’s history rather than making the visit only about sampling. One consideration: much of the tour involves standing, and the experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know

• Follow the brewing route: The tour traces production from the brewhouse to bottling.
• Finish with beer samples: The tasting features different Ottakringer beers, served freshly tapped.
• Hear the brewery’s story: The guide covers the history and range of Vienna’s oldest private brewery.
• Plan for a standing tour: Closed-toe shoes are required, and mobility-impaired visitors may find the route unsuitable.
• Reach the forecourt by transit: The meeting point is at Feßtgasse and Ottakringer Straße, served by tram lines 2, 46, 44 and 9, plus the U3.

From Feßtgasse to the brewery forecourt

The tour begins at the corner of Feßtgasse and Ottakringer Straße, in the brewery’s forecourt. That central meeting point is practical if you are using public transport: tram lines 2, 46, 44 and 9, as well as the U3, are listed as ways to reach the brewery.

Give yourself enough time to get to the right corner rather than arriving just as the tour starts. The activity lasts about 90 minutes and ends back at the meeting point, so you do not need to arrange transport elsewhere afterward.

Tours are available in English and German. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule that suits your day before you plan the rest of your Vienna itinerary around it.

Following the beer from brewhouse to bottling

The production route is the heart of the visit. You follow the path of Ottakringer beer from the brewhouse toward bottling, seeing how the process fits together and hearing explanations from your guide along the way.

That behind-the-scenes access gives the tour more substance than a bar tasting. You are not simply sampling finished beer; you are learning how it is made and how the brewery’s different products connect to the process. The specific sights may depend on what is accessible during the tour, so it is best not to expect a particular machine or production step unless the guide confirms it.

This is an operating brewery, not a set built for visitors. You must stay with the group and follow the guide’s instructions. Unsupervised access to production, storage and laboratory areas is not allowed. That rule may limit how freely you move, but it is also a sensible condition in a working facility.

Expect to spend time on your feet. One participant described the tour as informative but noted the amount of standing, a useful point if you have trouble standing for long periods. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and closed-toe shoes are required. Choose practical footwear rather than shoes meant for a quick stop at a tasting room.

The history behind Vienna’s private brewery

Ottakringer is identified as Vienna’s oldest private brewery, and the tour pairs its production story with the company’s history. That context helps explain why this is more than a factory visit: it is also a look at a long-running local business and its place in Vienna’s beer culture.

The guide is central to that experience. The tour is described as clear and informative, with the history made accessible as you move through the brewery. No individual guide names are provided, and guides may vary, but the tour is offered in both English and German.

The brewery’s range also gives the history a practical link to what you will taste later. Instead of hearing about beer in the abstract, you learn about the brewery’s production and variety before trying its products. If you are curious about how a Vienna brewery balances tradition with a range of different beers, this is likely to be the most rewarding part of the visit.

A freshly tapped tasting at the end

The tasting is included in the price and brings the production tour to a pleasant finish. You sample different beers from Ottakringer’s award-winning range, served freshly tapped. The tasting gives you a chance to compare styles and decide which ones suit your palate.

How long the tasting lasts is not fixed in the activity details. One account described around 30 minutes of beer sampling, but that should not be taken as a guaranteed duration or an unlimited-drinks promise. The full tour is 90 minutes, and the brewery does not specify an exact number of samples.

You will get more from the tasting if you pay attention to what you enjoyed rather than trying to drink your way through every option. Note the names or styles that appeal to you, and ask the guide questions while you have the chance. The tour is for people aged 18 and over, so bring valid identification if you think your age may need to be checked.

Is $23 good value?

At $23 per person, this is a reasonably priced way to combine a guided look at production, brewery history and a tasting. The price includes beer samples, access to the production experience and the guide’s explanations. For anyone interested in how beer is made, that combination offers more context than buying a drink at a bar.

The value depends on what you want from a brewery visit. If you mainly want a long, leisurely tasting, this may not be the best fit: the tour’s focus is production and history, and the tasting is one part of the 90-minute experience. If you enjoy seeing how a familiar product is made and want to learn about a local brewery, the guided format makes the ticket easier to justify.

The tour has a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 32 reviews. The strongest praise centers on clear, informative guiding, interesting history and the samples at the end. Those are exactly the features that give the visit its appeal. The main caution is the standing, not a lack of content.

Practical details before you book

Wear closed-toe shoes and dress for a working brewery environment. Tours go ahead in bad weather, so do not assume that rain means a cancellation. Photos are permitted, but filming and audio recording require the guide’s consent.

Pets are not allowed. Smoking is prohibited across the premises except in designated smoking areas, and eating and drinking are restricted to designated spots. Visitors are expected to maintain good personal cleanliness and follow the guide’s directions. The brewery may remove participants who disregard its rules.

The tour is not suitable for children under 18 or people with mobility impairments. If either applies to someone in your party, this is not the right activity to book. For other visitors, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is offered.

Who should choose the Ottakringer tour?

This tour suits beer fans who want more than a drink and are curious about the steps between brewing and bottling. It also works well for visitors who enjoy local industry and history, and who are happy to spend a good part of the visit standing and listening to a guide.

It is less suited to anyone looking for a seated activity, a family outing with children, or a tasting without a production tour. The brewery has clear safety rules, the route is guided, and you cannot wander off to explore on your own.

If a compact, informative brewery visit with samples sounds like a good use of 90 minutes, I would consider booking it. Check the available start times, choose the language you prefer, and wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. If standing is difficult for you, skip this one and choose a more accessible way to enjoy Vienna’s beer scene.

FAQ

How long is the Ottakringer brewery tour?

The guided tour lasts 1.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $23 per person.

What languages are available?

The live guide leads tours in English or German.

Where does the tour start?

Meet at the corner of Feßtgasse and Ottakringer Straße, at the Ottakringer forecourt.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the same meeting point.

How can I reach the meeting point by public transport?

The listed public transport options are tram lines 2, 46 and 44, tram line 9, and the U3.

Is beer tasting included?

Yes. The tour includes a tasting of different beers from Ottakringer’s range, served freshly tapped.

What should I wear?

Closed-toe shoes are required.

Can children join the tour?

No. The activity is not suitable for anyone under 18.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.