Memphis: Signature Guided Brewery Tour

Memphis pours more than barbecue. This half-day outing gives you a practical way to sample the city’s craft beer scene, with brewery visits, behind-the-scenes access, food, and transportation bundled into one $69 ticket. I especially like the three brewery stops and the chance to taste as many as 12 beers without worrying about driving afterward.

I also like the small-group feel promised by VIP access and the way a beer guide adds local context instead of simply handing you a flight. Brian earned repeated praise for being friendly, informative, and good at personalizing the outing. The main consideration is simple: you must be 21 or older, wear closed-toed shoes, and be comfortable spending three and a half hours focused almost entirely on beer.

Key points to know before you book

• Three Memphis brewery visits: The tour moves between three local breweries, giving you a broader look at the city’s brewing scene than a single taproom visit.
• Up to 12 beer samples: Tastings are included at each stop, with the exact selection depending on what is being poured.
• Fresh food included: A hot, fresh baked snack and local food tasting add something solid between samples.
• Downtown pickup: Meet the Brew City Tours van at the Peabody Hotel entrance, at 149 Union Avenue and 2nd Street.
• Brian may be your guide: If he leads your outing, expect an easygoing host who explains beer clearly and keeps the mood fun.
• Plan for a no-substitution tour: Everyone must be at least 21, the tour runs in English, and it operates rain or shine.

Why this Memphis beer tour works well

Memphis is famous for blues and barbecue, but its beer scene gives you another way to understand the city. A brewery is not just a place to drink. It is a working business, a gathering place, and a window into local taste. This tour connects those pieces in one afternoon.

The format is useful if you have limited time. Instead of arranging several rides across town, you meet downtown, board the van, and let the guide handle the route. That matters in a city where brewery locations may not be convenient for a visitor staying near the central sights.

The price is $69 per person. For a 210-minute outing, that works out to just under $20 per hour before you even count the tastings, transport, and food. Since the ticket includes beer at every brewery and a fresh baked snack, I consider it fair value for someone who wants a planned afternoon rather than a self-guided crawl.

The value depends on your drinking habits, of course. If you only want one beer and a quick look at a taproom, this is too much time and money. If you want several samples, background on brewing, and a safe ride between stops, the package makes better sense.

Meeting the van at the Peabody Hotel

The tour begins at the Peabody Hotel entrance at 149 Union Avenue, near 2nd Street. Look for the Brew City Tours van. This is a clear downtown meeting point, but give yourself enough time to find the correct entrance and avoid arriving at the last second.

Pickup and drop-off at the same central location keep the afternoon simple. You do not need to arrange a rideshare between breweries, and you can return to downtown with the group after the final stop.

Closed-toed shoes are required. This is more than a minor clothing note, since brewery areas can include working equipment and industrial floors. Open-toed shoes, bare feet, smoking in the van, drinks in the vehicle, and alcoholic drinks in the vehicle are not allowed.

The tour runs rain or shine. Memphis weather can change, so bring clothing that suits the forecast. You will be moving between the van and brewery buildings, and the experience does not pause for poor weather.

First brewery stop: 55 minutes with the beer basics

The first brewery visit lasts about 55 minutes, making it the longest stop on the route. That extra time gives the guide room to introduce the brewery, explain how beer is made, and discuss different beer styles without rushing every sample.

You can expect a guided brewery experience rather than a simple bar visit. The focus is on what happens behind the scenes, how ingredients affect flavor, and why one beer tastes different from another. The exact beers can change, so you should think of the tasting as a snapshot of the brewery’s current offerings.

This first stop also helps you find your bearings with the group. A good guide can explain tasting terms in plain language, which is useful if you know what you like but cannot always identify why. Brian, who led several highly praised outings, was singled out for making the information fun and easy to follow.

The 10-minute van ride afterward gives you a short break. It also keeps the pace moving. You are not spending the entire afternoon in one room, and each brewery adds a new setting and another point of comparison.

Second brewery stop: 45 minutes with food and local flavor

The second brewery visit lasts about 45 minutes and includes local snacks and a food tasting. A hot, fresh baked snack is part of the package, which is welcome on a tasting tour. Beer on an empty stomach is a poor strategy, even when the beer is excellent.

Food also changes how you notice beer. A snack can soften bitterness, bring out malt flavors, or make a lighter beer feel more satisfying. The supplied information describes the food as paired with the beer, but it does not specify the exact dish or pairing, so do not book this expecting a full meal.

This stop may be especially useful if you enjoy the social side of brewery culture. You get time to compare what you tasted at the first stop, ask follow-up questions, and hear more about local brewers. The guide’s role matters here. A friendly host can turn a standard tasting into a conversation about what Memphis drinks and makes.

Keep your expectations measured. The included food is a snack and tasting, not lunch or dinner. If you need a substantial meal, plan one before or after the tour.

Third brewery stop: 45 minutes to finish the tasting route

The final brewery visit also lasts about 45 minutes. By this point, you will have tasted beers from several Memphis producers and heard more about styles, brewing methods, and the local beer scene.

Three stops give the tour useful range. You can compare the atmosphere and beer selection at each brewery rather than judging Memphis craft beer from one taproom alone. The guide can also help connect the dots between the places you visit.

The final stop is not described with a separate food element, so think of it mainly as another guided beer tasting. With up to 12 samples across the outing, portions should be treated as tasting pours rather than full pints. That lets you sample broadly, but it also means the experience is designed for variety, not settling in for a long drink at each stop.

After the last tasting, the van returns you to 149 Union Avenue. The route has several short transfers, each listed at about 10 minutes. Those rides are part of what makes the tour manageable. You get several breweries without the hassle of navigating between them.

The guide can make or break the afternoon

The strongest praise for this experience centers on the guide. Brian was described as friendly, fun, informative, and good at getting to know the group quickly. That last point matters. A beer tour works better when the guide can adjust the conversation for beginners, serious beer fans, and people who simply want a pleasant afternoon.

The guide is there to explain beer history, brewing processes, and beer styles, but the tone appears to be relaxed rather than academic. You should come away knowing more about what you tasted, not feeling like you attended a lecture.

The guide also provides continuity between stops. Without that thread, three breweries could feel like three unrelated bar visits. With a strong host, the afternoon becomes a connected look at Memphis brewing.

The tour is English only. If you need another language, this is not the right choice. Also keep in mind that guide assignments can change, so Brian’s presence is not guaranteed for every departure.

What up to 12 samples really means

The headline tasting allowance is up to 12 beers. That is enough variety to explore several styles, but the phrase up to matters. The number and selection may depend on the breweries, their current taps, and the schedule on your date.

You may encounter lighter beers, darker beers, hop-forward pours, or other styles, but no fixed list is provided. I like that flexibility because it allows the tour to reflect what local breweries are making now. The tradeoff is that you cannot plan around one specific beer.

Approach the tasting as a learning exercise. Notice which aromas appeal to you, how bitterness changes from one pour to the next, and how food affects the flavor. If you already have a favorite style, ask the guide how it compares with the other samples.

Pacing matters. The tour lasts several hours, and the samples are spread across three stops. Eat the included snack, drink water when available, and avoid treating every pour like a full serving.

VIP access without the usual brewery-crawl hassle

The experience promises VIP access to some of the area’s most notable breweries. The supplied details do not define VIP in terms of private rooms, special pours, or exclusive production access, so I would interpret it as guided entry and behind-the-scenes attention rather than a guaranteed private event.

That still has real value. A self-guided brewery visit may give you a menu and a seat, while this outing adds explanations about the brewing process and the story behind each stop. You also get a route planned by someone familiar with the local scene.

The van is another practical advantage. Everyone must follow the no-drinks-in-the-vehicle rule, but you do not have to drive after tasting. Smoking is also prohibited inside. These restrictions may feel strict, yet they keep the ride clean and safe.

The tour is not designed for people who want to wander at their own pace. The schedule moves from one stop to the next, with around 45 to 55 minutes at each brewery. If you prefer long, unhurried visits, book individual taproom stops instead.

Who should book this Memphis experience?

I would recommend this tour to adults who want a guided introduction to Memphis beer without planning the route themselves. It suits first-time brewery visitors, couples, small groups, and anyone who wants local context along with the tastings.

It is also a good fit for people staying downtown. The Peabody Hotel pickup point is easy to use, and returning there avoids the need to coordinate transportation at the end of the afternoon.

Beer fans can enjoy it too, especially if they want to compare several local breweries and learn how the Memphis scene fits together. Still, serious enthusiasts should check their expectations. The tour gives you a broad sample, not a technical brewing course or a private production tour.

This is not suitable for anyone under 21. Every person must bring valid identification. Non-drinkers may not get enough from the experience to justify the price, even though the guide and food add some value beyond the beer itself.

Practical details that affect your decision

The advertised duration is 210 minutes, or three and a half hours. That is long enough to fill a major part of your day, so avoid booking it immediately before a timed attraction, dinner reservation, or evening performance.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Memphis schedule is still shifting.

Gratuity is not included. If your guide provides the friendly, engaging service described by past customers, plan to tip separately. Additional beverage purchases are available, so bring a payment method if you want to buy something beyond the included tastings.

The tour operates in English and in all weather. Wear closed-toed shoes, bring identification, and avoid carrying drinks onto the van. Those few preparations remove most of the avoidable problems.

Should you book the Memphis brewery tour?

Book it if you want an easy, social way to sample Memphis beer across three breweries. The best reasons are the included transportation, up to 12 tastings, fresh baked snack, and the chance to learn from a guide such as Brian, whose friendly approach received repeated praise.

Skip it if you dislike scheduled group outings, want a full meal, or would rather spend an entire afternoon at one brewery. The $69 price is reasonable for the time and inclusions, but only if you plan to use the tastings and transportation.

For most beer-curious adults staying near downtown, I would book it. You get a safe route, a useful introduction to local brewing, and enough variety to decide which Memphis beers deserve a second visit.

FAQ

Where does the Memphis brewery tour begin?

The meeting point is at the Peabody Hotel entrance, 149 Union Avenue at 2nd Street in downtown Memphis. Look for the Brew City Tours van.

Where does the tour end?

The van returns you to the starting point at 149 Union Avenue.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is 210 minutes, or three and a half hours.

How many breweries does the tour visit?

The scheduled route includes three Memphis brewery stops, each with a guided beer experience.

How many beer samples are included?

The tour includes up to 12 beer samples across the breweries.

Is food included?

Yes. A hot, fresh baked snack is included, along with a local food tasting during one of the brewery visits.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at the Peabody Hotel are included, along with van transportation between the brewery stops.

What age must you be to join?

All participants must be at least 21 years old and must show valid identification.

What should I wear?

Closed-toed shoes are required. Open-toed shoes and bare feet are not allowed.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?

No. The live tour guide and experience are offered in English only.