Ditch the foreigners, fake Boston accents, and Nikon cameras that are typical of most local tours and head out on your own (partially) self-guided sightseeing: cheap tours of famous local breweries. At the Samuel Adams Brewery, the tours cost nothing and include samplings of freshly brewed beer. When your new best friend behind the tasting counter finally cuts you off, head back to the T and go to South Station, where you can get on the Silver Line 2 bus and slur out a request to be dropped off at Harbor Street, right across from the Harpoon Brewery. Here, $5 will get you a guided tour, a sampling of Harpoon and UFO beers, and your own souvenir glass. When finished, stumble back to the T, ride back to Harvard Square, and step directly into C’est Bon, where you can use the remaining $4.90 of your $15 budget. Remember, it’s not alcoholism if it’s for a tour.
Samuel Adams: 30 Germania St. Boston. Stony Brook (Orange).
Harpoon: 306 Northern Ave. Boston. Northern and Harbor (Silver Line 2).