Take Your Beer for a Walk: Saturday Sip Circuit
Tour four local watering holes, on foot with cup in hand
This column has been a regular feature in the Erie Reader for a while now and I think the act of taking your beer for a walk is really catching on. What if I told you there's a guided summer walk where you and your friends could take a jaunt with a semi-large group of other downtown drink enthusiasts? And what if I also told you this organized walk featured multiple stops that served you some of the best drinks downtown, then encouraged you to walk on to another next stop?
Well friend, you're reading the right words! The all-new Saturday Sip Circuit is custom-built for you! We're going to zip through a walking tour that was designed to do exactly what this column does – hit some local stops, with local people, and drink local stuff along the way. Organized by the fine folks at Erie Food Tours with some light planning from four downtown libation factories, this Circuit contains four distinct stops and offers trivia and quick games along the way as participants hoot and/or holler along. Oh, but what if you wanted to make bottle or 4-pack purchases at any point during the foray? A customized wagon accompanies the group, freeing you up to high-five your tourmates as much as you want.
So let's go? Oh yes, let's go.
Our first stop will be the Brewerie at Union Station. We'll gather at the bar inside the front door of Erie's original train station at 123 W. 14th St. Here, new-ish owner Jessica Warren and brother in-law Tate Warren will give you a guided tasting tour through samples of your choice plus a beer batter fried pickle and a braised beef taco. It's fitting to start the tour here inside this building as it served as the origin of Erie's craft beer scene, starting with Erie Brewing Company, originally known as Hoppers Brewpub, in 1993. Since 2006, the impressive space has been known as The Brewerie at Union Station, cranking out beer, events, and even soda pops to the masses. Cheers to you, Brewerie!
With a half pint (it's a short walk) of Hopness Monster in your hand, we'll exit the Brewerie, heading east two blocks to State Street. Cross the street and turn left, heading north and ending up at 1213 State, home to Luminary Distilling's Cocktails & Bottle Shop. Here you'll chat with owner Joel Normand, where he'll share stories of their origin in Summit Township and how cool it is to make booze for a living, all while sharing at least one cocktail and an expertly-heated pepperoni ball. Luminary moved into this new space at the end of 2025 and it's quite the looker. The iron spiral staircase is arguably the star of the show, leading imbibers to an upper deck that overlooks the whole space. Or you can choose to sit bar-side with the garage door open in warmer months; it's all flexible. Cheers to you, Luminary Distilling!
Next stop, Lavery Brewing Company. With (ahem) a beverage in-hand, the tour will follow State Street north, crossing 12th Street, to head west two blocks, landing at 128 W. 12th St. The tour will occur in the back production space, where owner Jason Lavery will guide you through two different beers of your choice alongside chips and guacamole. As the founding brewer, he'll walk you through the brewery layout, how their system is unique to their space, give a quick tutorial on the venerable Wild Goose canning rig, and how their business expanded multiple times, taking over the entire ground floor of the building. Cheers to you, Lavery Brewing!
Erie Ale Works is the next and final stop on the Circuit. Your tour guide will lead the group, beer-in-hand, slightly north to West 11th Street, heading west three long blocks until hitting the intersection of West 11th and Chestnut streets. From here, make your way one short block north to the front door. The garage door is usually open this time of year with the tour group reception area set up in the back near the brewhouse. Opened in 2014, EAW underwent one large expansion in early 2020 and has been cranking out the hits ever since. Your tour will include three 5-ounce samples and a bag of Utz chips. Usually a food truck is onsite for extra food. Jeff McCullor (hi, that's me) will be the guide through the brewery history, the process, and the beers. Afterward, the Saturday Sip Circuit is officially over and you're free to roam; I'd recommend taking at least a half pint along!
If you're interested in walking along the Saturday Sip Circuit, simply visit eriefoodtours.com and reserve your spot online. Tickets cost $52 per person, with discounts available for groups of eight or larger. The next two are scheduled for Saturday, July 11 with an August date still being ironed out at press time. It's fun; trust me, I do this for a living!
Jeff McCullor is the co-owner of Erie Ale Works. He can be reached at jeff@eriealeworks.com
