Pour your own Viking brew in Poulsbo. This 3-hour tour blends PNW Skald storytelling with real access to local beer spots, so it feels like a fun night out with structure. You start at The Sip with a guide holding a Viking drinking horn, then hop to two breweries for tastings and photo-worthy Viking moments.

What I like most is the balance: you get guided fun at The Sip, then you move into proper brewery context at Western Red, instead of only standing around with drinks. I also really appreciate the built-in value—four included beverage moments (a preloaded card, pints, and a Viking pull) plus the end toast with the longhorn. And in the best way, the tone is playful; guides like Kyle and Brandon helped answer the tougher questions without turning it into a lecture.

One consideration: this is a tasting-heavy format with only about 30–45 minutes at each stop. If you want a long, low-key walk or heavy food breaks, you may find the pacing a bit tight.

Quick hits for this Viking Brewery Tour

• Start with self-pour fun at The Sip using a preloaded $12 beverage card across 36 rotating taps
• PNW Skald storytelling that connects Poulsbo spots with Viking-era themes
• Western Red brewhouse access for a real look at how craft beer gets made
• Valholl finale with a Viking longhorn pull (and a toast to match)
• Small groups capped at 10 people, so it stays friendly and question-friendly
• A short walk between stops keeps the energy up without draining you

Price and what $79 really buys you

At $79 per person for about three hours, the value comes from what’s actually included, not just the vibe. You’re getting a structured mini-journey: a set meeting point, three brewery stops, and a guide who ties it together with Viking lore and local context.

The beverage math is a big part of why this works. You receive:

• a preloaded $12 beverage card at The Sip (to use while you choose from 36 rotating taps)
• one pint included at Western Red
• one pint included at Valholl
• a Viking longhorn pull to cap the tour

Even if you don’t drink alcohol, the card covers non-alcoholic options too, which matters for groups with mixed preferences.

You also get more than “sip and go.” There’s a behind-the-scenes brewhouse look at Western Red, which helps turn the evening from a casual crawl into something you can talk about afterward.

Meeting at The Sip in Poulsbo: where the Viking tone starts

The tour starts at The Sip, 18801 Front St NE, Poulsbo. Your Adventure Guide meets you in your reserved area, identified with a nametag and holding a Viking drinking horn. That little detail matters because it gets everyone oriented fast—no wandering, no guessing.

The first stop is where the evening’s rhythm sets in. You’ll have access to a large tap lineup—36 rotating taps covering wine, beer, cider, and craft soda. The guide also introduces the Poulsbo setting and then shifts into Viking storytelling through the PNW Skald theme, so you’re not waiting until the end to feel the concept.

One more practical point: this start isn’t just about beverages. The guide sets expectations for how the tour flows and helps you get comfortable choosing what you want from the taps without slowing the group.

The Sip’s 36 taps and the $12 beverage card

This part is your “choose your own adventure,” with guardrails. You get a preloaded $12 beverage card, and you pour and select drinks from the available taps. If you’re the type who likes options, this is a fun setup because you’re not locked into one beer style.

It’s also a smart way to accommodate different tastes:

• beer people can focus on beer flights or specific favorites
• cider and craft soda drinkers have real choices too
• wine and non-alcoholic options help keep the group comfortable

The guide explains how the taps work at the start, which is useful if you’re not used to self-pour setups. It reduces the “okay, what do we do now?” moment and lets you focus on the tour story and your drink.

This segment runs about 45 minutes, so you get time to try something new without losing daylight (or momentum).

A lore walk through Poulsbo toward Western Red

After The Sip, you travel to Western Red Brewing while learning about Poulsbo’s iconic spots. This is not a random transit phase. The guide connects specific local landmarks with the Viking-themed framing of the tour—how to think like a Viking, not just what Vikings did.

You’ll hear about places like:

• the Hostmark Building
• the downtown Red Phone Booth
• and the oldest structure in town

That kind of local context is what makes this tour feel more “place-based.” You’re not just drinking; you’re picking up a quick mental map of Poulsbo’s character—especially handy if it’s your first time here.

It also helps that the move between stops stays light. The walk from The Sip to Western Red and then on to Valholl is listed as about 0.5 miles total, so you’re not stuck trudging through a long route while balancing drinks and taking photos.

Western Red Brewing: a real look at craft brewing

The second stop is Western Red Brewing, and the centerpiece here is a backstage look at the brewhouse. You step in to see how their craft beers are made, learn about the brewing process, and get a feel for the equipment and flavors that make Western Red a local favorite.

This is one of the best parts of the tour because it gives you a “why” behind what you’re tasting. After this stop, you’re more likely to notice differences in style, balance, and character instead of treating the pint like just a souvenir.

You’ll also get a pint included with this 45-minute stop. For me, that’s the sweet spot: enough time to learn the basics, not so long that it turns into an overlong tour inside a working production space.

If you’re a beer nerd even a little, you’ll appreciate that this isn’t only Viking cosplay and toasting. It’s craft beer education with a friendly tone.

Valholl Brewing finale: the longhorn pull and Viking toast

The tour ends at Valholl Brewing at 18970 3rd Ave NE, Poulsbo, where the theme gets louder and the photos get better. Valholl is described as the most “on the nose” Viking brewery on this route, and the finale delivers on that.

You’ll learn what it meant to be a Viking—framed in a way that fits the tour’s energy, not a stuffy museum vibe. Then the best part arrives: a large pull from a Viking longhorn. This horn is 4 liters, and you’ll cap the experience with a Viking toast with your group.

That final 30-minute stop is short by design. It leaves you with a strong memory and a clear endpoint, instead of stretching the tour so far that everyone gets tired.

And because this is a brewery with a strong theme, you’re likely to leave with that extra bit of “we did something special” even if you’re not a hardcore beer fan.

Pacing, timing, and what the group limit means for you

The tour starts at 3:30 pm. Plan for a roughly 3-hour outing and keep your schedule flexible enough to enjoy the last stop without feeling rushed.

Group size is capped at 10 people, which is a big deal for how the evening feels. Smaller groups mean questions land better, the guide can keep track of drink choices more easily, and you’re less likely to feel like a number in a line.

Also, this tour involves alcohol and non-alcoholic options, but it’s still built around tasting. If you’re planning your night afterward, I’d treat this as your main drinking window rather than a quick stop between other plans.

One more practical tip: wear shoes that can handle a short run of walking and quick pivots for photos. Even though the walking is listed as limited, you’ll be moving between places while holding glasses and taking in the story.

Who this tour is best for

This is a great fit if you want:

• a Viking-themed experience that stays playful but grounded in local landmarks
• a brewery crawl that includes at least one meaningful production stop (Western Red)
• an outing with enough structure to guide you, but enough freedom to choose drinks at The Sip

It’s also ideal for couples or small groups who want something different from a standard bar hop. The Viking horn, the toast at Valholl, and the lore walk through Poulsbo give you more than just “we had a pint.”

If you’re traveling with someone who’s not sure about Viking stuff, the beer focus and the brewhouse access can be a strong bridge. And if alcohol is not the goal, the tap lineup and non-alcoholic availability through the beverage card help you stay included.

Should you book this Viking Brewery Tour?

I’d book it if you like the idea of combining local Poulsbo storytelling with breweries that give you more than a quick tasting. The biggest reasons are the included drink structure, the behind-the-scenes brewhouse look at Western Red, and the memorable finale at Valholl with the 4-liter Viking longhorn pull.

Skip it if your ideal tour is quiet, slow, and food-first. This is built for a tasting pace, a short walk, and a guided experience that moves you from place to place.

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys fun history in plain language, plus real craft-beer context, you’ll likely have a very good night.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Viking Brewery Tour?

It runs for about 3 hours (approx.).

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at The Sip, 18801 Front St NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370, and ends at Valholl Brewing, 18970 3rd Ave NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370.

What’s included in the $79 price?

You get a preloaded beverage card at The Sip, one pint at Western Red, one pint at Valholl, and a Viking longhorn pull, along with Viking lore/history and a backstage tour at Western Red.

How does the beverage card work at The Sip?

You’ll have access to the taps and use a pre-loaded $12 beverage card to pour and choose your own drinks.

Do you include a behind-the-scenes stop?

Yes. Western Red Brewing includes a backstage look at the brewhouse, with time to learn about the brewing process and equipment.

How large are the groups?

The tour has a maximum of 10 people.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. Free cancellation is available, but changes within 24 hours of start aren’t accepted.