LEWES BREWERY FIELD GUIDE
Cross the Bay for a Day: A Lewes Brewery Loop from the Ferry Terminal
Ride the Cape May–Lewes Ferry into Delaware, meet your private shuttle at the Lewes ferry terminal, and spend a custom 4–6 hour day sampling local breweries, wineries, distilleries and regional cuisine—snacks and a tailored itinerary included.
Cross the Bay for a Day: A Lewes Brewery Loop from the Ferry Terminal.
Adventure brief
Cross the Bay for a Day: A Lewes Brewery Loop from the Ferry Terminal
Step off the Cape May–Lewes Ferry and into a compact, curated day of craft libations and coastal character. Delmarva Discovery Tours corrals your private group into a sprinter van, supplies snacks and a personal itinerary, and escorts you to Delaware breweries, wineries, distilleries and meaderies for tastings and a recommended meal stop.
Delmarva Discovery Tours offers a distinct blend of adventure and local flavor just across the bay from New Jersey, centered on the lively town of Lewes, Delaware. This tour uses the iconic Cape May Lewes Ferry to transport you from New Jersey to Delaware’s charming shoreline, where a custom day trip takes shape. Upon arrival at Lewes ferry terminal, your private group boards a comfortable sprinter van stocked with snacks and a tailor-made itinerary focusing on Delaware’s burgeoning craft beverage scene. This isn’t just a brewery crawl—it’s a curated experience that traverses breweries, wineries, distilleries, and meaderies spread across the region, highlighting the creativity and craftsmanship defining Delaware’s emerging reputation as a craft libation destination.
Delaware’s landscape—largely coastal plain with sandy soils and scenic waterways—supports small farms that supply many of these beverage makers, fostering a direct farm-to-bottle connection. The route often includes stops at historic towns, local eateries offering seasonal cuisine, and optional excursions to beaches, lavender farms, or botanical gardens. Lewes itself, established in the 17th century, offers a blend of colonial history and natural coastal beauty, making this trip more than a tasting tour but a regional immersion.
Delmarva Discovery Tours stands out in this landscape for its personalized service, small-group focus, and logistical ease. The seamless connection between ferry and sprinter van ensures time is spent enjoying the experience, not coordinating transportation. Snack inclusions and on-the-road photos help create lasting memories for groups up to eleven, with larger shuttles available. The tour’s flexible duration—four, five, or six hours—caters to varied tastes and schedules, with shuttle drivers ready to customize the day to your group’s interests.
The Cross the Bay for a Day Brewery Tour offers a refreshing way to engage with Delaware’s coastal charm and craft culture, backed by reliable transport and local expertise to maximize every sip and sight.
Route Schematic
Route Schematic
Stops typically move from ferry pickup to multiple tasting rooms, with optional cultural or beach detours and a return to the ferry in time for the posted sailings.
Lewes, DE Ferry Terminal — Meet & Embark
Arrive on the Cape May–Lewes Ferry and be met at the Lewes ferry terminal; your private group is picked up by the operator and loaded into the sprinter van.
Craft Beverage Stops — Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries
Visit a sequence of local breweries, wineries, distilleries and meaderies for guided tastings and time to explore tasting rooms and labels.
Optional Culture or Coast Stop
On request, include a stop at a beach, historic site, shopping district, botanical garden or lavender farm to round the day beyond tastings.
Return to Lewes Ferry Terminal
The itinerary is paced to have your group back at the Lewes ferry terminal in time for your chosen return sailing.
Operators tailor routes and timing; participants should plan to bring photo ID if they intend to sample alcohol and be aware the operator schedules return times to align with ferry sailings.
What the day feels like
What It Feels Like
The day unfolds like a local crawl framed by coastal light: ferried across the bay, collected at the Lewes terminal, and eased between tasting rooms in a private van while guides craft a route around favorite breweries, wineries, distilleries and meaderies. Snacks, water and small extras keep the tempo relaxed as you sample regional beverages and pause for a recommended meal.
THE ROUTE
Ferry Arrival to Door-to-Door Tasting
The trip begins the moment you disembark the Cape May–Lewes Ferry and are met at the Lewes ferry terminal; from there a private shuttle delivers you to a string of local breweries, wineries, distilleries and meaderies for curated tastings and a suggested eatery.
THE COMFORT
Private Sprinter Van with Perks
Travel in an 11-passenger sprinter van (larger shuttle options available on request) and enjoy included snacks, water, trip photos and a gift for the guest of honor while your driver navigates the local tasting trail.
THE FLEX
Tailor Your Day — Beyond Tasting
Choose a 4-, 5- or 6-hour itinerary and ask to include a beach stop, historical sites, shopping, or a visit to a botanical garden or lavender farm to widen the day beyond pours and plates.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this day fits — and who should rethink it.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring government photo ID if you plan to sample alcohol; BYOB is allowed if you prefer to bring your own beverages.
The operator provides snacks, bottled water, trip photos and a gift for the guest of honor as part of the tour.
The private sprinter van includes seating for your group and complimentary snacks and water to keep the day comfortable.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
When is this tour offered?
The tour is offered year-round when the Cape May–Lewes Ferry is running.
Where do we meet the operator?
Groups arriving on the 10:30 a.m. Cape May–Lewes Ferry are met at the Lewes, DE ferry terminal for pickup by the operator.
How long is the tour?
Choose from a 4-, 5- or 6-hour itinerary, with return timing planned to have you back at the ferry terminal for the 4:15 or 6:15 return sailings.
How many people can ride in the shuttle and what does it cost?
The standard private shuttle seats up to 11 people; the 11-passenger shuttle is priced at $99 per hour. Contact the operator about a 14-passenger shuttle for larger groups.
Is gratuity expected?
Driver gratuity is customary at 20%; guests are also asked to tip servers at the breweries and tasting rooms.
Are drinks and snacks included?
The operator includes snacks and bottled water, and also provides trip photos and a gift for the guest of honor; BYOB is permitted.
What is the legal drinking age?
Delaware’s legal drinking age is 21, and guests should bring government-issued photo ID.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-05T19:26:37.111Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.