Memphis: 3 Local Breweries Bus Tour with Tastings

Memphis has more than music and barbecue. This three-brewery bus tour gives you a relaxed way to sample local beer, meet a private guide, and see a less obvious side of the city. I like the easy door-to-door transport and the chance to compare three breweries in one 210-minute outing. I also like the behind-the-scenes angle, with beer stories and local music filling the ride between stops.

The tour feels social without requiring you to plan a route or choose a driver. The guide and driver receive especially warm praise, and the bus includes water and snacks. The main consideration is simple: this is a beer-centered experience for adults 21 and older, and the three-hour schedule may feel short if you want a long visit at each brewery.

Key points to know before booking

• Three brewery visits in 210 minutes: You get a broad taste of Memphis craft beer rather than one long brewery stay.
• Private brew bus transportation: Your group rides together between locations, so nobody needs to drive after tasting.
• Tastings at every stop: Beer samples are included, along with water and a snack on the bus.
• Beer trivia and Memphis music: DJ Ric Chetter of Radio Memphis provides recorded narration for the ride.
• A guide and driver shape the mood: The strongest praise focuses on the friendly hosting and relaxed transportation.
• Best for adults 21 and older: Bring a passport, ID card, or driver’s license for age verification.

Why this Memphis brewery tour works so well

Memphis is widely linked with blues, soul, and rock ’n’ roll, but its craft beer scene gives you another way to read the city. This tour is designed for people who want more than a tasting room and a flight. You visit three local breweries, sample their beer, and get a look at how each place has its own character.

I like the format because it removes much of the work. You do not need to research brewery hours, arrange a ride, or decide how to connect separate locations. A private bus carries you and your group from stop to stop, while the guide keeps the evening moving.

The experience lasts 210 minutes, or three and a half hours. That is enough time to make three brewery visits feel like a proper outing, though it is not a leisurely afternoon at one location. You should expect a tasting-focused route with short travel periods, not extended free time at every brewery.

The private format also helps if you are celebrating. One booking became a birthday surprise, and the family enjoyed the outing even though one person did not consider herself a beer drinker. That is useful to know: the tour includes stories, music, production details, and social time, so it is not only about drinking.

Boarding the brew bus in central Memphis

The tour begins at a centrally located meeting point. You are dropped back there at the end, which makes it easy to continue your evening in Memphis after the breweries.

Transportation is one of the clearest strengths. You and your group travel together on a comfortable brew bus, with a driver handling the route. That matters more here than it might on an ordinary sightseeing trip. Since beer samples are part of the experience, having organized transportation removes the awkward question of who will skip the tastings and drive.

The bus is also part of the entertainment. Recorded narration by DJ Ric Chetter of Radio Memphis adds beer trivia, beer history, and Memphis indie music during the rides. That gives the travel time a purpose instead of leaving you to watch the city pass by in silence.

You should expect a lively social setting rather than a quiet museum tour. The guide adds anecdotes and keeps the mood friendly, while the ride gives people time to chat with friends or meet others in the group.

Snacks and water are included on the bus. These are modest but useful details, especially during a three-and-a-half-hour tour built around tastings. You may still want to eat before the tour, since the included snack is not presented as a full meal.

First brewery: your introduction to local Memphis beer

The first stop sets up the comparison that makes this tour worthwhile. Rather than ordering from one broad beer list, you begin to see how separate Memphis breweries make their own choices about flavor, style, and presentation.

The exact brewery lineup is not specified in the tour details, so you should not book expecting a particular brand or tap list. The route can be understood as a showcase of three local producers, with beer samples at each location and a guide helping you make sense of the differences.

At the first brewery, pay attention to the basics. Notice how the room feels, how the beer is presented, and which samples suit your taste. You might find a light beer easier to enjoy than a stronger style, or you might discover that a beer you would normally ignore works well for you.

The value here is comparison. One sample in isolation can be hard to judge. Three stops let you notice contrasts between breweries, even if you know little about brewing. You can ask the guide questions and use the first tasting as a reference point for the next two.

Do not expect a full brewery production tour unless the conditions at that stop allow it. The experience promises behind-the-scenes looks and insight into how different breweries make their beer, but the amount of access can vary. The focus remains on sampling and learning rather than a formal technical workshop.

Second brewery: compare methods, moods, and flavors

The second stop is where the format starts to pay off. You have already tasted one local producer, so you can compare instead of simply accepting each sample as a separate drink.

The guide’s role is important here. A good host can turn a basic tasting into a story about ingredients, brewing choices, and local character. This tour is built around that personal touch, and the guide is repeatedly praised for making the experience fun and relaxed.

I would approach this stop with an open mind. You may find that the brewery’s atmosphere appeals to you more than its beer, or that one sample becomes your favorite even if the location feels less memorable. A useful tour does not need every stop to be your personal favorite. The point is to see the range.

The recorded bus narration also helps connect the stops. DJ Ric Chetter’s beer trivia and local music add a Memphis-specific layer to the route. The music keeps the ride from feeling like simple transport, while the trivia gives you a few talking points before the next tasting.

This middle section can be especially good for mixed groups. Beer enthusiasts get several samples and production context. People who are less interested in beer still have the city stories, music, guide interaction, and group atmosphere to enjoy.

Third brewery: finish with a broader sense of Memphis beer

By the third brewery, you have enough comparison points to decide what you actually like. That is more useful than being told which beer is supposedly best. Your taste might favor one brewery’s style, another stop’s setting, or a sample you did not expect to enjoy.

The final stop also gives the tour a natural ending before you return to the central meeting point. Since you are not required to drive, you can remain part of the group until the end and then continue your night elsewhere in Memphis.

The tour does not identify the three breweries in advance. That lack of a fixed public lineup is the main drawback for anyone who has a particular brewery on a must-visit list. If you have already chosen specific taprooms, this tour may not replace an independent brewery crawl.

For everyone else, the flexible route has a benefit. You can let the guide introduce you to places you might not have found while following the usual Memphis sightseeing circuit. The experience is aimed at a local perspective, not a checklist of famous attractions.

What the tastings and behind-the-scenes access are really worth

The price is $58 per person. I consider that reasonable if you plan to visit all three breweries and would otherwise need transport between them. The cost covers the guide, bus transportation, samples at each brewery, water, and a snack.

It is harder to justify if you only want one beer at one location. In that case, exploring independently may cost less. But a self-guided route also means arranging transportation, managing timing, and giving up the convenience of a dedicated driver.

The strongest value comes from combining several smaller benefits:

• You sample at three different breweries.
• You receive local guidance instead of relying only on a menu.
• You avoid driving between locations.
• You get beer trivia and Memphis indie music during the ride.
• You can enjoy the evening with your group instead of coordinating every transfer.

The behind-the-scenes element adds another layer. You may get a look at how different breweries produce their beer, which helps explain why two samples can taste so different. The available details do not promise a complete brewery tour at every stop, so keep your expectations practical.

This is best viewed as a guided introduction to Memphis craft beer, not an advanced brewing class. You receive enough context to appreciate what you are tasting, but the fun and social pace remain central.

Who will enjoy the bus, and who may not

I would recommend this tour for a group of friends, a birthday outing, couples who want an evening activity, or anyone who prefers a planned route. It also suits people who want to try Memphis beer without spending time comparing maps and transportation options.

You do not need to be a serious beer fan. One person on a family birthday outing was not a regular beer drinker but still found several beers she liked. That is a good sign for mixed groups, especially when some people care more about the atmosphere and local stories than the drink itself.

The tour is less suitable if you want a quiet, private tasting with plenty of time at each brewery. Even with private transportation for your group, you are following a three-stop schedule. The pace is designed to give you variety.

It is also not suitable for anyone under 21. Bring a passport, ID card, or driver’s license. The tour is conducted in English, and it runs rain or shine, so dress for the weather and do not assume outdoor conditions will cancel the outing.

Practical tips for getting the most from three stops

Eat something before you board. Snacks are included, but the tour description does not promise a meal. Starting with food in you will make the tasting more comfortable.

Use the first brewery to learn your own preferences. You do not need to identify every style or brewing term. Just note what you enjoy, then compare that choice with the samples at the second and third stops.

Ask the guide questions. The local anecdotes are part of the appeal, and the guide can help connect the beer to Memphis culture. The most highly praised part of the experience is not a particular sample. It is the friendly hosting from the guide and driver.

Bring a valid form of identification even if you look well over 21. A driver’s license is accepted, as are a passport or ID card.

Keep your evening open after the return. The bus drops you at the central meeting point, and the tour is designed to let you continue your night in Memphis. That makes the experience a useful first activity before dinner, music, or another downtown plan, though the exact end time depends on the selected start time.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Memphis schedule is still changing.

Should you book the Memphis brewery bus tour?

Book it if you want three local brewery experiences without driving, and if you value a guide who adds stories, humor, and local music to the route. At $58, the combination of tastings, transportation, snacks, and hosting offers solid value for a three-and-a-half-hour outing.

I would be more cautious if you need a specific brewery, want a full meal, or prefer to spend a long time at one taproom. The brewery lineup is not specified, and the schedule favors variety over lingering.

For most adults looking for an easy, social introduction to Memphis craft beer, I would book it. The strongest reasons are practical: no driving, three tasting stops, a lively bus ride, and a guide-led experience that works even for people who are not already beer fans.

FAQ

How long does the Memphis brewery bus tour last?

The tour lasts 210 minutes, or three and a half hours.

How many breweries will the tour visit?

The tour visits three local Memphis breweries.

Is transportation included?

Yes. You travel between the breweries on a comfortable private brew bus for your group, with a driver handling the route.

Are beer samples included?

Yes. Beer samples are included at each brewery.

Are food and nonalcoholic drinks included?

A snack and water are included on the bus. The tour does not state that a full meal is provided.

What identification should I bring?

Bring a passport, ID card, or driver’s license.

Can people under 21 join the tour?

No. The tour is not suitable for people under 21.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is conducted in English with a live guide.