Brewery Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour of Nashville

Skip Broadway for a few hours. This six-hour trolley outing gives you an easy way to reach Nashville breweries beyond downtown, with no need to choose a designated driver. I like the hop-on, hop-off freedom, and I like that drivers such as Trevor, Randy, and Mel add music, suggestions, and local color along the way. The main catch is simple: this is not a tour of how beer gets made. It is a brewery-hopping day with transportation between stops.

At $36 per person, the price is fair if you plan to visit several places. You can taste beer, mead, cocktails, or seltzers, order food, and ride between venues in a climate-controlled vintage trolley. Just pace yourself. Six stops in roughly six hours is a lot of drinking, and you do not need to visit every stop to get good value.

Six useful things to know before you book

• The route begins at noon beside the Omni Nashville Hotel on the 5th Avenue side of the building.
• Six brewery stops are included, from Honeytree Meadery to Monday Night Brewing, Preservation Co.
• You choose the pace, getting off and back on as often as you like during the operating day.
• Trevor, Mel, and Randy earn strong praise for safe driving, good music, humor, and practical drink recommendations.
• TailGate Brewery is the key food stop, especially if you want pizza during the afternoon.
• The last stop may require an Uber afterward, so plan your return before staying there late.

What this Nashville trolley tour really is

The name can cause a little confusion. If you picture a brewery tour with a guide explaining mashing, fermentation, barrels, and bottling, this is not that experience. The trolley connects you with six beer and drink venues, but you generally buy your own drinks and explore each place at your own pace.

That format has real advantages. You can order a flight, have one drink, eat lunch, or skip a stop entirely. You are not pushed through a fixed tasting menu. The driver helps you decide where to spend more time, then gets you safely to the next location.

I like this style for Nashville because many visitors stay close to Broadway. The route takes you toward East Nashville and other brewery areas that are harder to reach efficiently without a car. It gives you a different side of the city without asking someone in your group to stay sober.

The trolley itself is vintage in style but climate-controlled, which matters in Nashville’s warm or unpredictable weather. It also turns the travel between stops into part of the outing. Drivers play music, share suggestions, and keep the group moving without making the day feel like a formal lecture.

Starting at the Omni Nashville Hotel at noon

The official meeting point is on the 5th Avenue side of the Omni Nashville Hotel. The start time is 12:00 p.m., so arrive ready for a full afternoon rather than a quick morning activity.

The first ride sets the tone. You join other people who are usually there to sample drinks, celebrate, meet new people, or simply find places away from downtown. Several riders praised the social side of the trolley, and that makes sense: you share rides, compare drink choices, and hear recommendations from both the driver and other people on board.

The group atmosphere will not suit everyone. If you want a quiet, private tasting, this may feel too communal. If you like casual conversation and do not mind a little noise between stops, the trolley adds energy without requiring much planning.

The driver can also shape your day. Trevor received repeated praise for his suggestions, music, humor, and safe driving. Mel was singled out for keeping the ride lively and helping groups choose a pace that fit them. Randy also earned warm comments for his recommendations. The personalities vary, but the driver is more than a person behind the wheel.

Honeytree Meadery: start with something different

Honeytree Meadery gives the route an early change of pace. Mead is made from honey rather than the grain base used for beer, so this stop can appeal to you if you want to try something outside the usual pale ale and stout lineup.

Not everyone chooses to stop here. Some groups skipped the meadery and preferred to spend their time at the beer-focused venues. That is one reason the flexible format works well. You can get off, sample something new, or stay on the trolley and save your appetite and drinking capacity for later.

If you are trying to visit all six locations, keep this stop controlled. The day gets harder to manage when every venue turns into a full tasting session. A small pour or a shared sample here can give you variety without using too much time or energy at the beginning.

TailGate Brewery East Nashville: plan around the pizza

TailGate is the clearest food recommendation along the route. Multiple riders specifically praised the pizza, with one calling it the stop for food. That makes it a smart place to schedule a meal rather than treating lunch as an afterthought.

Food matters on a brewery tour. A little planning helps you enjoy the later stops and keeps the afternoon from becoming a contest to see who can drink fastest. You might find other menu choices as well, but the pizza is the detail with the strongest word-of-mouth behind it.

TailGate also illustrates the tour’s flexibility. You can make it a short drink stop, or stay longer for food before continuing. If your group is celebrating a birthday or gathering with friends, this may be one of the best places to slow down and talk.

Southern Grist in East Nashville: one of several beer-focused stops

Southern Grist is part of the East Nashville cluster, giving you another chance to compare a different tap list and atmosphere without crossing the city on your own. The tour does not include a formal brewing-process explanation here, so your visit is about choosing what to drink and enjoying the venue.

This is where flights become useful. One detailed account praised the chance to order flights at nearly every stop, making it possible to sample more styles without committing to a full pour each time. You still need restraint, but flights make the route more about variety than volume.

The drawback is that tap lists and venue appeal can be personal. One person may love a stop while another finds it less interesting than the next location. Since you can skip a place, do not force yourself to stay simply because it appears on the route.

East Nashville Beer Works: time for another tasting or meal

East Nashville Beer Works adds another brewery option in the same general part of town. The value here is not a special presentation or guaranteed tasting flight. It is the chance to sample another local beer lineup while someone else handles the driving.

By this point, the pace becomes important. The trolley provides enough time to visit all six stops, but that does not mean you must do so. Several riders found four or five stops more comfortable than all six. That is sensible advice, especially if you are ordering food, buying full pours, or traveling with friends who drink at different speeds.

You can also use this stop as a reset. Eat something, drink water, and decide if you still want the remaining venues. The tour is more enjoyable when you treat the route as a menu of options instead of a six-stop assignment.

Bearded Iris Brewing: keep comparing styles

Bearded Iris is another beer-centered stop where you can continue sampling Nashville’s craft drink scene. The strength of the full route is the variety. You are not tied to one taproom or one beer style for the entire afternoon.

The route is especially useful for people who are curious but not deeply committed to one kind of beer. You can try different pours, ask staff for help, or follow the driver’s suggestions. If you already know exactly which brewery you want to visit, a direct trip may be simpler. The trolley earns its price by letting you compare several places in one outing.

This is also a good point to decide if you have had enough. The tour is designed for flexibility, not endurance. Four stops with food and measured tastings can be a better afternoon than six stops that leave you worn out.

Monday Night Brewing, Preservation Co.: know your ride home

Monday Night Brewing, Preservation Co. is listed as the final stop. It gives you one more chance to order a beer, sample another tap list, or settle in with the group.

The practical issue is transportation after the last venue. If you remain at the final pub, you may need to arrange an Uber back to your hotel or another part of Nashville. That is not a flaw in the trolley itself, but it is easy to overlook when the day starts with a convenient pickup at the Omni.

If you want the smoothest finish, ask the driver about timing and your options before you settle in. You can also leave the route earlier and make your own way back from a previous stop. The hop-on, hop-off setup gives you that choice.

The $36 price: good value if you use the transport

At $36, this is not a full tasting package. Your drinks and food are extra, and the tour does not promise included samples at each venue. The price pays for the trolley service and the ability to connect six locations without driving yourself.

That is a reasonable deal for the right itinerary. Six separate rides by taxi or rideshare could cost far more, especially if your group is moving around for much of the afternoon. You also avoid parking problems and the awkward question of who stays sober.

The value drops if you only want to visit one brewery. In that case, go directly to that venue and spend your money on food or drinks. The tour makes the most sense for you if you want several stops, enjoy comparing different places, and value a built-in ride.

The free cancellation policy adds some booking flexibility. Cancel at least 24 hours before the 12:00 p.m. start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

How to pace six stops without ruining the afternoon

The best advice from the ride is to pace yourself. You do not need a full beer at every venue, and you should not treat the six stops as a drinking challenge.

I would use this approach:

• Start with a smaller pour or shared flight.
• Eat at TailGate, especially if pizza appeals to you.
• Drink water during the day.
• Skip a stop if the group needs a break.
• Plan your return from the final venue before the last trolley ride.

The trolley is a safe way to visit multiple breweries, but it does not make overdrinking safe. A group that visits four stops thoughtfully may have a far better time than one that rushes through all six.

The flexible schedule also helps mixed groups. Beer fans can sample more, while someone who prefers mead, cocktails, or seltzers can choose different drinks. The route is not limited to one kind of beverage.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the tour to friends, couples, birthday groups, and anyone who wants to explore Nashville beyond Broadway. It is particularly useful if nobody in your group wants to be the designated driver.

It also suits people who like meeting others. The trolley creates a shared social setting, and the brewery stops give you easy conversation topics. The drivers’ music and suggestions add to the group mood.

You may want another option if you are seeking a quiet private outing, a detailed lesson in brewing, or a fixed premium tasting. This is casual and flexible. You buy drinks at the stops, choose how long to stay, and make your own decisions throughout the day.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is offered in English, uses mobile tickets, and is near public transportation. Those details make it straightforward for most visitors, but the six-hour duration still calls for comfortable clothes and a sensible plan.

Should you book the Nashville Brewery Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley?

Book it if you want to visit several Nashville breweries without driving and you like having room to change plans. At $36, the transport is a strong value when you use at least three or four stops, especially with food and flights available along the route.

Skip it if your main goal is to learn the technical steps of brewing. You will get a brewery-hopping day, not a behind-the-scenes production tour. Also skip it if you dislike group outings or would rather spend an entire afternoon at one carefully chosen taproom.

For most beer-curious visitors, this is a practical way to see another side of Nashville. Choose your stops, listen to the driver’s advice, eat early, pace yourself, and remember that six stops are an option, not an obligation.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at the Omni Nashville Hotel on the 5th Avenue side of the building.

What time does the trolley tour start?

The scheduled start time is 12:00 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

How many brewery locations are included?

The route includes six brewery or drink locations: Honeytree Meadery, TailGate Brewery East Nashville, Southern Grist in East Nashville, East Nashville Beer Works, Bearded Iris Brewing, and Monday Night Brewing, Preservation Co.

Can I get off and rejoin the trolley?

Yes. The experience allows you to get off and get back on as many times as you like throughout the day.

Are drinks and food included in the $36 price?

The provided tour details do not state that food or drinks are included. Food and drinks are purchased separately at the stops.

Is this a guided tour of the brewing process?

No. It is a hop-on, hop-off trolley connecting you with local breweries and drink venues. It does not function as a guided lesson about how beer is made.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered another date or a full refund.