WHAT THE HECK IS A COOLSHIP?

Take a tour of one of the most unusual breweries in the U.S.

Our tours explore the traditional European brewing methods that define Dovetail—from open fermentation and horizontal lagering to our coolship and a 100-year-old copper kettle. Along the way, you’ll taste beer, handle raw ingredients, and finally learn exactly what the heck a coolship is.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON A DOVETAIL BREWERY TOUR

  • Tours last about 90 minutes and include guided time in the production space plus tastings along the way.

  • Tickets are $20, plus taxes.

  • Your ticket includes three .3L pours of beer, plus interactive sensory experiences like malt tasting, hop rubbing, and water tasting. You’ll also get 15% off your tab if you hang out with us after the tour.

  • You’ll explore one of the most unusual breweries in the U.S., including our open fermentation cellar, horizontal lagering tanks, coolship, and a 100-year-old copper brew kettle originally from Germany.

  • Not at all. Our tours are designed for everyone—from casual drinkers to serious beer nerds. Our guides tailor each tour to the group and welcome questions.

  • Tours are led by members of the Dovetail team, each bringing their own background and point of view. That means no two tours are exactly the same.

  • Closed-toe shoes are required for safety. Otherwise, dress comfortably—parts of the brewery can be cool.

  • Yes, tours are 21+. Guests under 21 are welcome to enjoy the taproom while the tour is taking place.

    Since it is a working production brewery, children who are not strapped to their adult are not allowed in the space.

  • Tours are capped at 24 guests, keeping the experience personal and interactive.

  • Yes! Tour guests are welcome to hang out in our taproom after the tour and receive 15% off all to-go beer on the day of their tour.

  • Advance tickets are recommended, but day-of tickets may be available if the tour isn’t sold out.

  • Rarely. But you’re welcome to email info@dovetailbrewery.com to inquire.

MEET THE DOVETAIL TOUR GUIDES

Our tour guides each bring their own background and point of view to the experience,
which means every Dovetail tour is a little different (yes, that means it’s worth coming back!)

Liz

Toby Headshot

Liz Hilt (she/her) is a taproom bartender at Dovetail with a graduate degree in Museum Studies. She worked in the field for nearly ten years before the COVID pandemic forced many museums to downsize education departments. Liz draws on more than thirty years of experience in informal education to to help Dovetail guests learn about beer and beer culture.

Favorite Brewery Tour (besides Dovetail’s): Yuengling in Pottsville, PA

Toby

Toby Walters has been bartending at Dovetail since 2021, and he is currently employed as a full-time cellarman at Goose Island Brewing Co. He is a Certified Cicerone and completed the Concise Course in Brewing Technology at the Siebel Institute. He loves drinking any Czech-style lagers and UK-style pub ales, but his favorite Dovetail beer is Rauchbier.

Brian Weaver Headshot

Brian

Brian Weaver is a home-brewer, cat-dad, and tettnang-enjoyer. His tour highlights some of the technical specifics that make Dovetail’s beer unique and delightful. His favorite Dovetail beers are Lager and Saison and his favorite reaction is the Maillard reaction.

DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

“One of the best brewery tours — I have gone on brewery tours across the country, and this is the only one I’ve gone on twice. The guides were generous with their time, knowledge, and beer.”
— Morgan L, Tripadvisor

Here’s some of the nice things people have said about our brewery tour

We’re were also one of USA Today’s 10Best Brewery Tours of 2018!