REVIEW · DRINKING TOURS
Beer Tasting Session in Edinburgh’s Underground Vaults | 1 hour
Book on Viator →Operated by The Lost Close - Events & Experiences · Bookable on Viator
Sips go underground in old Edinburgh. This one-hour beer tasting takes place in the atmospheric The Lost Close vaults, where you’ll learn how to taste craft beer while hearing local backstories. I especially like the small-group feel (so you can actually ask questions) and the way the host connects each beer to its style and flavor. The only real drawback: if you’re hunting a long, deep brewery tour, this is short and focused.
Meet at John’s Coffee House & Tavern in Parliament Square, then head out into the underground setting for your pours. It’s adults-only, since you’ll be tasting alcohol as part of the session.
Expect an English-led experience with a firm time window, and a group cap of 8. A few people report it can run closer to about 45 minutes, so go in ready for a tight, fun evening rather than an all-night pub crawl.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- One hour in Edinburgh’s Underground Vaults
- Meeting at John’s Coffee House and starting on time
- What you’ll taste: local Scottish beers and real flavor lessons
- The Lost Close story you’ll hear between sips
- Learning to taste beer like a pro (without the beer snob act)
- Who this tour is best for
- Price and value: why $31.76 makes sense here
- Possible hiccups to keep in mind
- Should you book this underground beer tasting in Edinburgh?
- FAQ
- How long is the beer tasting session?
- What is the price per person?
- Where do I meet for the tour?
- What time does the tour start?
- How many people are in the group?
- How many beers will I taste?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- Is it suitable for children?
- Is a mobile ticket required?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
Key things to know before you go
- Underground setting in The Lost Close: You’ll be tasting in Edinburgh’s hidden stone world, right in the Old Town area.
- Small group size (max 8): Better conversation and easier pace than big tastings.
- Four local beers, each with a story: You’ll get brewery context plus practical tasting cues.
- How to taste beer like a pro: You’ll learn what drives bitterness and why beers can vary in darkness.
- English host and adult-only event: A straightforward format built around alcoholic tastings.
One hour in Edinburgh’s Underground Vaults
Edinburgh has plenty of pubs, but this experience swaps the usual bar vibe for something more memorable: time in underground vaults tied to The Lost Close. The Lost Close is the sort of place that makes you lower your voice and pay attention. Stone walls, old-city atmosphere, and a sense that you’re seeing a quieter layer of the Old Town.
What I like most is that the session is built for people who enjoy beer, but don’t want to lose half a day to a brewery visit. You get a focused tasting plus historical storytelling in a single hour. If your plan is tight, or you want a central activity after a day of sightseeing, this fits neatly.
The tone also matters. The event is casual and friendly, not stuffy. Many hosts in this format use humor and personality to keep things moving, and you’ll hear different guide styles—people have mentioned hosts like Mark, George, Terry, Nikki, Sara, Padge, and Sarah (among others). So you’re not getting a robot script; you’re getting a person sharing beer and local stories.
You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in Edinburgh
Meeting at John’s Coffee House and starting on time
You meet at John’s Coffee House & Tavern, 1a Parliament Sqr, Edinburgh EH1 1RF. The start time is 7:00 pm, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.
That sounds simple, but it matters in real life. This is a short, time-based event, and the underground portion depends on everyone being accounted for before you head down. One clear lesson from past visitor comments: if you arrive and don’t see the group right away, it’s worth checking in immediately and staying within sight of the meeting spot rather than wandering for a drink.
If you’re using Google Maps, don’t assume the closest street name is enough—this area can be busy and easy to misread in the dark and rain. Come prepared to locate John’s Coffee House & Tavern first, then let the host find you quickly.
What you’ll taste: local Scottish beers and real flavor lessons
The session centers on craft beer from local breweries, with each beer connected to its style and background. The tour description highlights four exceptional beers. Some people have noted they received five different samples across the session, so the exact number of pours may depend on how the host runs it that night. Either way, you should plan on multiple tastes rather than one quick sip.
You’ll also learn why beers taste the way they do. Expect plain talk about how flavor develops—especially bitterness levels and how color can signal different brewing choices. It’s not just taste, swallow, repeat. The host guides you to notice things like:
- What bitterness feels like on the palate
- How darker beers can differ in flavor and balance
- How different styles can taste “similar” at first, then shift as you pay attention
If you’re new to beer tastings, this is a good place to start because you’re not expected to memorize tasting jargon. You’re learning practical cues: what to look for and how to describe what you’re noticing.
The Lost Close story you’ll hear between sips
Beer is the headline, but The Lost Close is the stage. While you taste, the host shares the history of the location and stories about Edinburgh’s past. This matters because it turns your experience from a standard tasting into something tied to place.
You’ll spend time in a historic old building environment, specifically described as The Lost Close. That underground setting makes the storytelling feel more real. It’s easier to believe the past when you’re physically inside the stones where the city’s “underlayer” lives.
One more helpful thing: you’re not just hearing dates and names. The stories are paired with the beers you’re drinking, so your brain keeps making connections. Style and story match up, and you leave with a few new facts plus a better sense of what you liked and why.
Learning to taste beer like a pro (without the beer snob act)
A big part of the value here is the “how to taste” element. The format is built for learning, not performance. Even if you’re the type who orders whatever sounds good at the bar, you’ll likely pick up a simple approach that makes future tastings easier.
Here’s what the experience is aiming for:
- You taste beer in a structured way, not randomly
- You hear explanations that translate brewing choices into flavor
- You learn why bitterness can vary so much from one pint to the next
Many guides bring personality to this. People have described guides as quirky and fun, and some focused more on the beer lineup and flavor differences than on technical brewing steps. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. For most visitors, the goal is to understand what you’re tasting in a way that’s useful, not to become a brewmaster overnight.
If you’re the sort of person who wants extremely technical brewing detail, you might find the explanations more “tasting-focused” than “process-focused.” That’s worth knowing before you book.
You can also read our reviews of more drinking tours in Edinburgh
Who this tour is best for
This is a strong fit if you want:
- A craft beer experience without the logistics of a brewery day
- Local storytelling in a truly unusual setting
- A small group format where the host can adapt the pace
- An adult evening activity in central Edinburgh
It’s also ideal for people who like meeting other travelers. With a maximum of 8, conversations tend to flow. The underground setting adds comfort—people often describe it as cosy, fun, and easy to talk in.
A couple other notes from the experience data:
- It’s offered in English
- It includes alcohol, so it’s adults only
- Mobile ticket is included, so you’re not dealing with paper tickets in wet weather
- Service animals are allowed
- It’s near public transportation, which helps if you’re combining it with other Old Town plans
Price and value: why $31.76 makes sense here
At $31.76 per person for about an hour, this isn’t a bargain in the “cheap drink” sense. But it can be good value when you look at what’s included: multiple local beers plus a guided explanation and use of an atmospheric historic underground space.
Here’s why it tends to feel worthwhile:
- Central location means you’re not spending time and money getting out to a brewery far away
- The group size stays small, which usually improves the quality of the experience
- You’re getting guided tasting, not just getting served beers
- The setting is part of the attraction, not an afterthought
The most important value check is your expectation. If you want a quick, curated beer education plus local lore, this price can feel fair. If you were hoping for a long, in-depth brewing workshop or a full-day brewery itinerary, you may find the time too tight.
Possible hiccups to keep in mind
Most people come away happy with the vibe and the tasting. Still, a few practical considerations can save you stress.
First: the timing is tight. The session starts at 7:00 pm, and if a host has to account for a missing person, it can affect the flow. Show up a few minutes early and verify you’re at the right place.
Second: the event can feel more history-and-setting focused than pure beer-technical. Some visitors expected more emphasis on the place’s history beyond tasting explanations. If that’s your top priority, it’s smart to go in expecting both, but knowing the beer is the center of gravity.
Third: a few people felt the session length ran a bit under the advertised hour. If you’re the type who loves long guided activities, you might still enjoy it—but you’ll want to plan a nearby option for afterward so you’re not left wondering what to do next.
Should you book this underground beer tasting in Edinburgh?
Book it if you want a short, high-satisfaction evening that combines Scottish craft beer with The Lost Close history in a small-group setting. This is especially worth it when you’re staying central and you’d rather spend your time drinking and learning than commuting and waiting around.
Skip it if you’re after a long brewery deep-dive, or if you need a highly interactive, high-energy group. The experience is relaxed and structured. Think “fun guided tasting in a historic basement” more than “full day brewery production.”
If you’re a first-time beer taster, you’re also in the right place. The format is approachable, and the host guidance helps you taste with confidence instead of guesswork.
FAQ
How long is the beer tasting session?
It lasts about 1 hour.
What is the price per person?
The price is $31.76 per person.
Where do I meet for the tour?
You meet at John’s Coffee House & Tavern, 1a Parliament Sqr, Edinburgh EH1 1RF, UK.
What time does the tour start?
The start time is 7:00 pm.
How many people are in the group?
The maximum group size is 8 travelers.
How many beers will I taste?
The session is described as tasting 4 beers.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, the tour is offered in English.
Is it suitable for children?
No. It’s adults only due to the alcoholic nature of the tasting.
Is a mobile ticket required?
Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.
What’s the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund.
