NON BUS MOVIE STARS Traverse City Brewery And Distillery Tour

Traverse City’s brewery and distillery tour trades the usual party bus for a clean GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban, then takes you to three very different drinking rooms. You get local beer, cider, wine, spirits, and small-batch experiments without worrying about the drive home.

I like the semi-private feel and the downtown pickup, especially for couples or small groups. I also like the mix of polished lagers, experimental beer slushies, ciders, wine, and spirits. The drawback is simple: samples are available, but food, glasses, bottles, and growlers cost extra, so your final bill can rise.

Key points to know before booking

• Three distinct stops: Silver Spruce focuses on classic beer styles, Earthen Ales changes its small-batch offering every Sunday, and The Workshop adds spirits, wine, cider, food, and live entertainment.
• Luxury SUV transport: You ride in an air-conditioned GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban rather than a large party bus.
• Downtown convenience: Pickup is at the Hardy Street Parking Structure near the State Street entrance, across from Park Place Hotel and next to MiddleCoast Brewing Company.
• Samples are available: You can try beer, cider, wine, and spirits, but glasses, bottles, growlers, and food are extra.
• Small-group setup: The maximum is 20 people, while groups of six or seven will most likely have their own vehicle.
• Flexible drinking lineup: You may find lagers, pilsners, dunkels, IPAs, stouts, beer slushies, Pinot Grigio, Malbec, whiskey, vodka, gin, mixed drinks, and cider.

A brewery tour built around three different moods

This is not a brewery tour where every stop pours the same pale ale and sends you back into the van. The route gives you three distinct Traverse City tasting rooms, each with a different purpose.

Silver Spruce Brewing Company leans traditional and polished. Earthen Ales is more experimental, with a fresh small-batch beer each Sunday. The Workshop Brewing Company is the broadest stop, giving you beer, spirits, wine, cider, mixed drinks, and food in one place.

That variety matters. You can enjoy a familiar lager at one stop, try something unusual at the next, and finish with a menu that reaches well beyond beer. I would choose this tour for a mixed group where one person likes wine, another prefers spirits, and someone else wants to sample local beer without making all day plans.

The tour lasts about four to five hours and begins with a drive around downtown Traverse City. The exact order and timing can vary, but each listed stop is planned for about 50 minutes. That gives you enough time to taste and look around without turning the day into a rushed series of ten-minute pours.

Why the luxury SUV changes the day

The transportation is one of the strongest reasons to book. Movie Stars Wine Tours uses an air-conditioned GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban, with some mention of Cadillac Escalades at pickup. You are not being asked to drive between breweries after drinking, and you are not left at a remote parking lot at the end of the afternoon.

The pickup point is the Hardy Street Parking Structure, on the east side near the State Street entrance. It is across from the Park Place Hotel and next to MiddleCoast Brewing Company. Look for the luxury SUVs.

For a downtown stay, this is easy. You can walk to the structure, take the tour, and return to the same general spot. For a group, the company can sometimes collect you from local downtown locations if you send your location by email or text.

If you are staying outside downtown, plan more carefully. The company may be able to pick you up at a local hotel before a daytime tour, but afternoon traffic can make post-tour drop-off harder. You may need to return downtown, eat dinner, and use a rideshare or hotel shuttle later.

That is not a flaw in the tour itself, but it is a real planning point. Get downtown before the pickup time, especially for an afternoon or sunset departure. The company says it can often return afternoon guests to area hotels after the tour, but traffic affects what is practical.

Silver Spruce Brewing Company: classic styles and a polished first stop

The first brewery stop is Silver Spruce Brewing Company, which opened in 2018. Its reputation here rests on lagers, but the tasting range goes well beyond that one style.

You can sample lagers, pilsners, dunkels, IPAs, and stouts. Wine drinkers are not forgotten, with Pinot Grigio and Malbec also available. That makes Silver Spruce a useful opening stop for a group with mixed tastes.

I like the way this stop gives you a firm starting point. Before you reach more experimental pours, you can try recognizable beer styles and get a feel for what the local breweries do well. If you find a favorite, you can buy a glass, sample platter, or growler, though those purchases are not part of the $99 tour price.

The 50-minute stop should give you time to sample without lingering too long. You will want to pace yourself here. Three stops remain, and the final location has the widest drinks menu.

One thing to keep in mind is that the tour price includes the guided visit and available samples, not a full flight, souvenir glass, or take-home beer. If you plan to buy a growler or bottle at every stop, bring room in your budget and your luggage.

Earthen Ales: the stop for small-batch surprises

Earthen Ales has been brewing in Traverse City since 2016, with a clear focus on experimentation. The brewery produces a new small batch every Sunday, so the selection can change from one visit to the next.

That weekly rotation is the reason I would avoid treating this as a fixed tasting menu. You may find something unusual, and you may find a style you would not normally order. The point is the changeable selection, not a guaranteed list of specific beers.

Earthen Ales also serves cider and beer slushies. Those slushies give the stop a lighter, more playful angle, especially if someone in your group is not excited by a flight of traditional ales.

You can bring your own food or buy a snack at the bar. Food is not included, so this is a good place to decide if you need something substantial before continuing. A small snack may be enough for some people, but four to five hours of tasting is easier when you are not drinking on an empty stomach.

The 50-minute schedule keeps the visit focused. You get a chance to explore the changing tap list, try a cider or slushie, and grab food if needed. The trade-off is that you may not have time for a long meal here. If food is central to your day, save room for The Workshop, which offers more substantial food options.

The Workshop Brewing Company: the broadest final stop

The Workshop Brewing Company is the most versatile stop on the route. Its beer selection covers a full line of styles, but the drinks do not end there. You can find whiskey, vodka, gin, mixed drinks, ciders, and wine.

That makes The Workshop especially useful for groups that cannot agree on one type of drink. One person can order a beer, another can choose wine, and someone else can move toward a cocktail or spirit. It also gives you a chance to shift away from beer after the first two stops.

Food is available here, and the brewery places an emphasis on locally and organically sourced ingredients where possible. The venue also has live entertainment six nights a week. The tour description does not promise a particular performer or event, so check the schedule if entertainment matters to you.

I would see The Workshop as the most social stop, but also the one where time management matters most. With beer, spirits, cocktails, wine, cider, food, and live music in the mix, 50 minutes can pass quickly. You may need to choose between another tasting, a proper meal, and staying for entertainment.

The broad selection is a strength, but it can also make the final stop less focused than Silver Spruce or Earthen Ales. If you want a strict beer education, this is not the most narrowly themed tour. If you want choice, food, and a lively finish, it is likely the best match.

What the $99 price really covers

The cost is $99 per person. That is not a cheap brewery shuttle, but it includes several things that are easy to overlook when comparing tours.

You are paying for an expert brewery guide, transportation in a luxury SUV, air conditioning, local route planning, and a designated driver for the full outing. The guides are described as local Traverse City drink experts, and the company is owned and operated by a former law enforcement professional. The team also presents itself as friendly to law enforcement, first responders, and military members.

The company connects its local background to University of Michigan, Michigan State, Grand Valley State, and Wayne State graduates among the owners and guides. That does not guarantee a particular guide, but it suggests the experience is run by people with a local connection rather than by a distant transport operator.

You also get a smaller vehicle format. A maximum of 20 people is listed, while groups of six or seven will most likely have their own vehicle. That is a different experience from a large bus where the whole group moves as one loud block.

Still, the price does not cover everything you may want to consume. Food, growlers, bottles, glasses, and other purchases are extra. Samples or splashes are available, but the exact amount and form can depend on what each venue offers that day.

I would consider the price fair for people who value safe transportation and convenience. It is less attractive if you mainly want to buy a lot of beer and eat a full meal, since those extras will be added separately. Group discounts may be available, so larger parties should ask about the current rate before booking.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This experience suits couples, friends, and mixed-interest groups who want an easy drinking day without assigning a driver. It works particularly well for people staying in downtown Traverse City, since the pickup and return point are central.

I would also recommend it for visitors who want variety rather than a narrow brewery lesson. The three stops cover traditional beer, experimental beer, cider, wine, slushies, spirits, cocktails, and food.

First responders, military members, and law enforcement families may appreciate the company’s stated friendly approach. The tour also fits a small celebration, provided you understand that this is described as a non-party-bus experience rather than a rolling party venue.

It may not suit you if you want a long brewery tour with production-floor access, a full lunch included, or a guaranteed list of beers. The information provided describes tasting-room visits and guided transport, not a behind-the-scenes brewing class.

Practical tips for a smoother afternoon

Arrive at the Hardy Street Parking Structure with enough time to find the east side near the State Street entrance. The pickup area is next to MiddleCoast Brewing Company and across from Park Place Hotel, and the vehicles are expected to be luxury GMC Yukons or Cadillac Escalades.

If you are staying outside downtown, do not assume the tour will solve every transportation leg. Afternoon traffic can affect hotel drop-off, so use a hotel shuttle or rideshare to reach downtown early. For a daytime tour, plan to remain downtown afterward for food, then return to your hotel once traffic eases.

Bring a little extra money for food and purchases. You may want a glass at Silver Spruce, a snack at Earthen Ales, or a meal at The Workshop. Growlers and bottles are also available at extra cost.

The tour is offered in English, confirmation arrives at booking, and mobile tickets are accepted. Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Inside that window, refunds are not available, and changes are not accepted.

The guide team and the personal touch

The available feedback gives special attention to Tracey, who is described as an excellent guide on a brewery and distillery outing. A repeat booking also mentions Magic Mike and his team in a warm, playful way.

That small detail matters because this tour depends on the guide more than a self-guided brewery crawl does. Your guide handles the route, timing, vehicle, and practical decisions between stops. The company places strong emphasis on local guides and drink specialists, so the experience is designed to feel more personal than a basic transfer service.

The two published ratings are both five stars, though the sample is very small. I would treat that as an encouraging sign, not proof that every departure will be identical. The strongest praise points to the fun, friendly guide service and the appeal of the new brew and distillery format.

Should you book the Movie Stars brewery tour?

Book it if you want safe downtown pickup, a luxury SUV, and three varied tasting rooms in one half-day. The tour is especially good for groups with different drink preferences, since the lineup reaches from lagers and stouts to cider, wine, beer slushies, whiskey, vodka, gin, and mixed drinks.

Think twice if you want food and all tastings included in the headline price, or if you prefer a serious brewing lesson over a relaxed tasting-room circuit. The $99 fee buys convenience, transportation, guides, and a well-planned route, but your food and take-home purchases are separate.

For most visitors staying in Traverse City, the central pickup and no-driving-needed format make the cost easier to justify. Book at least a day ahead for the refund protection, and arrange your hotel transportation before the afternoon rush.

FAQ

How long does the brewery and distillery tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to five hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $99 per person. Group discounts may be available.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is at the Hardy Street Parking Structure, on the east side near the State Street entrance. It is next to MiddleCoast Brewing Company and across from Park Place Hotel.

What vehicle is used?

Transportation is provided in an air-conditioned luxury SUV, such as a GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban. Cadillac Escalades may also be used.

Which breweries are visited?

The route includes Silver Spruce Brewing Company, Earthen Ales, and The Workshop Brewing Company.

Are food and drinks included in the price?

Samples or splashes are available, but food, growlers, bottles, and glasses cost extra.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people. Groups of six or seven will most likely have their own vehicle.

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 accepted and are not refunded.