NORTHAMPTON CITY TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Hoppy Valley: A three-stop craft crawl through Northampton and the Valley
A guided, 3.5-hour, 21+ brewery tour that links Fort Hill, New City and White Lion—this guide describes the stops, logistics, and what to bring.
Hoppy Valley: A three-stop craft crawl through Northampton and the Valley.
The Hoppy Valley Tour threads through Northampton and neighboring Valley towns, moving between three independent breweries where regional lagers, New England IPAs, sours and house-made ginger beer are on offer; the route is presented here with practical notes on timing, access and what to expect on the walk between taprooms.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Fort Hill’s German lagers and NE IPAs
Fort Hill Brewing Company, the tour’s opening stop, pours a range that includes German-style lagers, New England IPAs, sours and hard seltzers—an efficient introduction to the tour’s stylistic breadth.
New City’s industrial pedigree and ginger beer
New City Brewery is sited in a restored industrial complex from the 1800s in an area historically called New City, Easthampton, where the brewery pairs traditional lagers and ales with a focus on pre-prohibition–style alcoholic ginger beer.
White Lion’s second taproom and local ties
The tour finishes at White Lion Brewing Company’s Amherst taproom; White Lion was the first craft beer brand from the Springfield area to reach market and emphasizes community engagement, inclusion and scholarship partnerships with local colleges.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
Over roughly three and a half hours the Hoppy Valley Tour moves guests between local taprooms, with guided tastings and the opportunity to sample flights or signature pours at each stop; expect short walks, stair use and intermittent standing as part of the flow from one brewery to the next.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The scheduled tour duration is 3.5 hours; tours operate on Saturdays.
Valid photo ID for age verification (21+); comfortable shoes are recommended because the tour includes walking and stairs.
Adult tickets are listed at $92. Private-tour rates are available for groups (examples: up to 8 guests and 9–13 guest tiers).
Participants must be able to navigate several flights of stairs and tolerate intermittent standing; plan accordingly.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What is the minimum age to join the tour?
Every guest must be at least 21 years old and present valid identification to participate.
How long does the Hoppy Valley Tour last?
The tour runs for approximately 3.5 hours.
Are private tours available?
Yes—private tours are available with group pricing tiers for different group sizes.
Do I need to wear special footwear?
Comfortable shoes are recommended; the tour involves walking between stops and navigating several stairs.
Is gratuity included in the tour price?
No. Gratuity is not included in the price of the tour and is appreciated by guides and staff.
When do tours run?
Tours are scheduled on Saturdays.