All-Inclusive Minneapolis Craft Brewery Tour

Three breweries, one minibus, no designated driver. This three-hour Minneapolis outing links Falling Knife, Fair State, and 56 Brewing with transportation, beer, and a guide included. I like the freedom to order a full pint or a flight at each stop, rather than being limited to tiny samples. I also like the small-group format, capped at 14 people, which makes it easier to ask for beer suggestions and chat with the driver.

The main catch is that this is a brewery-hopping experience, not a behind-the-scenes brewing tour. You get time in each taproom, but you should not expect a formal lesson at every brewery. The all-you-can-drink setup also calls for some self-control, especially since food is not included.

At a Glance: What Makes This Tour Worth Considering

• Three very different brewery stops: Visit Falling Knife Brewing Co., Fair State Brewing Cooperative, and 56 Brewing, with about 50 minutes at each.
• Full pours are included: You can choose pints or flights instead of receiving only small tasting samples.
• A minibus removes the driving problem: Pickup and return are provided at the Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown.
• Guide advice adds real value: Eric, Nick, and Brad have all been praised for friendly service, local suggestions, and help choosing beers.
• A true small-group outing: The vehicle holds no more than 14 people, creating a more social and manageable afternoon or evening.
• Beer purchases can ride along: A cooler is available for beer you buy during the day.

Three Minneapolis Breweries in Three Hours

This outing keeps its plan simple: meet downtown, board a minibus, visit three breweries, and return to the same starting point. Each brewery gets roughly 50 minutes, with the remaining time used for driving between stops.

That timing works well for a first look at Minneapolis beer culture. You get enough time to try several beers at each location without spending the whole day in one taproom. The tradeoff is that the schedule moves along. If you find a favorite brewery, you will probably wish you had another hour there.

You meet at the Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown, at 35 South 7th Street. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your selected departure time. Afternoon and evening departures are available, so you can fit the tour around sightseeing, dinner plans, or a night downtown.

The minibus matters more than it might sound. Minneapolis breweries are spread across different parts of the city, and driving between them yourself would mean choosing one person to skip the beer. Here, you can sit back, compare tasting notes, and let the professional driver handle the route.

Falling Knife Brewing Co. Starts the Beer Crawl

The first stop is Falling Knife Brewing Co. in Northeast Minneapolis. It is described as a 20-barrel brewhouse, and the stop gives you a quick introduction to the city’s independent brewery scene.

You have about 50 minutes here. The guide helps coordinate your tasting, and you can ask for suggestions if you are unsure where to begin. The beer range includes options such as IPA and stout, making this a useful stop for people with different tastes.

I like having Falling Knife first because it gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the outing. You can learn how the ordering works, get your first pour, and start comparing notes with the group before the afternoon or evening gathers speed.

The limitation is the same as at the other stops: the information provided does not promise a production-floor visit or a formal brewery presentation. Think taproom visit, not a technical tour of tanks and recipes. If your priority is learning the mechanics of brewing, this may feel light. If your priority is tasting good beer without arranging transportation, it fits the bill.

Fair State Adds Cooperative Character

Next comes Fair State Brewing Cooperative. It has a distinctive ownership model, described as the first cooperatively owned brewery in Minnesota and the third in the United States.

That detail gives the stop a little more context than simply another place to order a beer. Fair State is also known for small-batch beers featuring local and hard-to-source ingredients. You may find more unusual choices here, so this is a good point to ask the guide for a recommendation based on what you liked at Falling Knife.

The stop lasts about 50 minutes. You can use that time to try a different style, compare a flight with a full pour, or stay with a favorite category. The all-you-can-drink policy means you are not forced to make one perfect choice. You can sample broadly, then settle on something you enjoy.

Still, the phrase all-you-can-drink should not be treated as a challenge. Three breweries in three hours can add up quickly. Eat before you go, drink water between beers, and pace yourself. Bottled water is included, but food is not, and no meal stop is part of the scheduled plan.

56 Brewing Finishes with Plenty of Choice

The final brewery is 56 Brewing. Its selection is presented as broad enough to suit different moods, with examples including Crispy Business and Lake Hopper.

By this stage, the guide’s recommendations can be especially useful. You have already tried beer at two places, so you can explain what worked for you and ask for a final suggestion. Past guide feedback has singled out Eric, Nick, and Brad for being friendly, attentive, and good at matching beers to individual preferences.

You get another 50 minutes here. That is enough for a final flight or pint, but it may not leave much time for lingering if the group is moving on schedule. I would treat this as the last tasting stop, not as a long evening at one bar.

A cooler is available for beer purchases. That is a practical touch, especially if you find cans or bottles you want to take home. You will need to manage your own purchases, but you do not have to carry them from brewery to brewery.

Why the Minibus and Small Group Matter

The strongest practical feature is the transport. Pickup and drop-off at the Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown keep the day straightforward, particularly if you are staying downtown or using the hotel as your city base.

The group limit is 14 people. That is small enough for the guide to hear your questions and offer personal suggestions, but large enough to create a social atmosphere. Some departures may be fuller, while others can feel very intimate. One outing described a group of only two people plus the driver, which shows how different the feel can be from one departure to another.

The guides are a big part of the experience. Eric receives repeated praise for being attentive, polite, engaging, and helpful with beer choices. Nick is also praised for his local knowledge and friendly manner, while Brad is described as approachable and well informed about the breweries.

That does not mean every departure will have the same guide or the same group chemistry. It does mean the driver-guide role is more than simply steering the minibus. You can expect help with tastings, suggestions about what to order, and some local information about Minneapolis neighborhoods and history.

The tour is also offered in English. A moderate amount of walking is involved, so wear comfortable shoes. You will be getting on and off the minibus and spending time in three different taprooms.

What All-You-Can-Drink Really Means Here

This is not a sampler-only outing. You can have full pints or flights at each brewery, and that makes the package more useful for serious beer fans than a tour that limits you to a few small tastes.

It also creates the main question of value. No price is provided here, so I cannot calculate the exact savings. But the package includes beer at all three stops, transportation, a professional driver and guide, bottled water, and use of a cooler for purchased beer. If you would otherwise pay for rides between breweries and several beers at each stop, the inclusions can make the tour a strong deal.

The value is lower for someone who drinks very little or wants only one sample at each place. You are paying for the overall package, not merely for access to the breweries. Nondrinkers and people who prefer a single beer over several rounds may find that a self-guided brewery visit suits them better.

I would also avoid arriving hungry. Food is not included, and the schedule does not list a meal break. A proper meal before departure is the sensible move. Bottled water helps, but it does not replace food.

Afternoon or Evening: Choosing the Better Departure

An afternoon departure suits you if you want to treat the tour as a relaxed introduction to Minneapolis beer. You can finish with time left for dinner or another downtown activity.

The evening option works better if you want the brewery outing to be the main event of your night. You return to the same downtown meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a late ride from a distant taproom.

The three-hour length is well judged for most people. It is long enough to visit three breweries but short enough to avoid turning the day into an endurance test. Several people have found the time passed quickly, and that is easy to understand when each stop offers a fresh beer list and a new setting.

If you want an unhurried night at one brewery, this is not the right format. If you want variety, transport, and a fixed plan, the compact schedule works well.

Who Will Enjoy This Minneapolis Experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Beer fans who want to try several Minneapolis breweries in one outing.
• Couples and friends who would rather not assign a designated driver.
• Solo visitors who like meeting a small group and getting personal beer suggestions.
• People new to craft beer who want help choosing styles and pours.
• Repeat visitors who have already seen downtown and want a taste of local neighborhoods.

It also works for people who are not expert beer drinkers. One couple specifically appreciated having a guide make the choices easier, and that is an important point. You do not need to know the difference between every ale and lager before boarding the minibus.

I would be more cautious about booking if you want brewery education at every stop, a meal included, or a slower schedule. You may also want to skip it if you are uncomfortable with an all-you-can-drink format. The tour offers freedom, but you are responsible for pacing yourself.

Practical Details Before You Book

You must be at least 21, and photo identification is required. Every person signs a liability waiver before the tour begins.

Confirmation arrives when you book. Minimum numbers apply, so the operator can cancel after confirmation if not enough people sign up. In that case, you are offered another option or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Canceling or changing the booking less than 24 hours ahead does not qualify for a refund, and poor weather can also lead to a new date or full refund.

The tour is described as suitable for most people, with moderate walking. Since the outing involves alcohol, walking between the vehicle and taprooms, and three separate stops, comfortable shoes and a sensible pace are more useful than dressing up.

Should You Book the Minneapolis Brewery Tour?

I would book this tour if you want to sample three local breweries without planning the route or worrying about driving. The combination of full beer choices, a small group, bottled water, and a minibus gives the experience a practical edge. The strongest added value comes from the guide, especially when someone like Eric, Nick, or Brad helps you choose beers that fit your taste.

I would not book it if your main goal is a detailed look inside the brewing process. You will visit the taprooms and learn from the guide, but the schedule is built around tasting rather than formal brewery tours.

For beer lovers, visiting Minneapolis for the first time, this is an easy way to get beyond one downtown bar. Arrive early, eat beforehand, bring photo ID, and pace yourself. If those basics suit you, the three-stop route offers a friendly and efficient introduction to the city’s craft beer scene.

FAQ

Where does the Minneapolis craft brewery tour begin?

The tour begins at the Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown, 35 S 7th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at the Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Which breweries are included?

The scheduled stops are Falling Knife Brewing Co., Fair State Brewing Cooperative, and 56 Brewing.

Is beer included in the tour?

Yes. All-you-can-drink craft beer is included, and you can order full pints or flights at the breweries.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off, transport by minibus, and a professional driver-guide are included.

What is the minimum age?

You must be at least 21 years old, and you must show photo identification.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.