Memphis: 3 Local Breweries Bus Tour with Tastings

Memphis is famous for music, but this three-brewery bus tour gives you another reason to raise a glass. You ride between local breweries, sample their beers, and get a behind-the-scenes look at how each place makes its own mark on the city’s growing craft beer scene.

I like the private brew bus, which keeps the evening social without asking you to drive. I also like the mix of beer sampling, local stories, DJ Ric Chetter’s recorded narration, and Memphis indie music. The main drawback is simple: the breweries are not named in advance, and 210 minutes must cover three stops plus travel time.

Key points

• Three Memphis breweries: Compare the character, beer styles, and brewing approach of three local producers.
• Private transportation: Ride a comfortable brew bus and leave the driving to someone else.
• DJ Ric Chetter narration: Hear beer trivia, brewing history, and Memphis indie music between stops.
• Tastings at every brewery: Samples are included, along with a snack and water on the bus.
• Central drop-off: The tour ends at a central meeting point, handy if you want to continue your evening.
• Adults only: You must be at least 21 and bring a passport, ID card, or driver’s license.

Three breweries, one Memphis evening

This tour works best as a compact introduction to Memphis brewing. Instead of spending your night at one taproom, you visit three different breweries and compare them side by side. That comparison is the real value. One brewery may appeal because of its beer, another because of its setting or personality, and a third because it offers a different look at the brewing process.

You do not need to be a serious beer expert. The tasting format gives you a way to try several brews without ordering a full drink at every stop. If you already know your favorite beer style, you can use the tour to test local versions. If you are still figuring out what you like, the range can help you narrow it down.

The breweries are not identified in the available tour details, so you should not book this expecting a fixed list of famous names. The draw is the chance to see three local operations selected for the experience. That makes the outing more about Memphis craft beer as a whole than about checking off one particular taproom.

What happens during the 210 minutes

The experience lasts 210 minutes, or three and a half hours. Your guide meets you at the stated central meeting point, then takes you and your group around Memphis by brew bus. The exact starting time depends on availability, so check the schedule before booking.

The tour is described as a private weekend tasting tour. That matters if you are planning a birthday, a small celebration, or a night out with friends. You have a dedicated ride rather than piecing together taxis or asking someone in the group to stay sober and navigate between breweries.

The route includes three brewery visits. At each one, you receive beer samples and get a closer look at the brewer’s operation. The amount of time at each stop is not specified, so I would treat the schedule as a guided overview rather than a long sit-down session at every brewery.

Travel time is part of the experience, not dead space. DJ Ric Chetter of Radio Memphis provides a recorded narration with beer trivia, beer history, and Memphis indie music. That gives the ride its own local flavor and helps connect the brewery stops with the city around them.

At the end, you are dropped back at the centrally located meeting point. You can then continue your night in Memphis, assuming you still have the energy after three tastings.

The first brewery: getting your bearings

The opening stop should help you understand the basic shape of the local beer scene. Since the specific route and brewery names are not provided, I cannot promise which location comes first. What you can count on is a sample of that brewery’s beer and an introduction to its particular character.

This first stop is useful for setting a comparison point. Pay attention to the beer styles offered, the size of the brewing operation, and the way the guide explains the place. You may find that the first brewery feels more traditional, more experimental, or simply more relaxed than the others.

The behind-the-scenes element adds more than a tasting flight. You get context about how different brewers make their beer, which was a key part of the experience for at least one person in the supplied feedback. That makes the tour worthwhile even for someone who does not usually order beer.

A practical tip: do not rush to decide which brewery is your favorite after the first sample. The point is to compare three places, and the later stops may suit your taste better.

The second brewery: compare the details

The middle stop is where the tour’s comparison format becomes most useful. You have already tasted beer from one Memphis brewery, so you can start noticing differences instead of treating every sample as a separate drink.

Look for contrasts in flavor, brewing style, and atmosphere. The tour information does not promise a particular beer menu or a set number of samples, so the exact tasting experience may vary. Still, the structure gives you a useful framework: taste, listen, ask questions, and remember what you liked.

The guide is there to keep the experience lively with local anecdotes. You are not simply being transported from one bar to the next. The guide helps give the stops a common thread, while the recorded bus narration fills in more about beer and Memphis during the ride.

This is also a good point to pace yourself. Three brewery visits can add up, even when each stop offers samples rather than full pours. The included water and bus snack are small but useful touches. Take advantage of them, especially if you are tasting on an empty stomach.

The third brewery: finish with a local favorite

The final brewery gives you one last chance to compare Memphis beers and decide what you would seek out later. The tour does not state that the third stop is larger, older, or more distinctive than the first two, so I would not build expectations around a grand finale.

What makes the last stop valuable is the complete picture. By now, you have seen three local brewing operations and heard more about the city’s beer culture. You can finish with a clearer sense of which styles and brewery settings appeal to you.

The supplied feedback includes a particularly useful point for non-beer drinkers: someone who did not consider herself a beer lover still found a few beers she liked and enjoyed the history, behind-the-scenes looks, good atmosphere, and variety. That is a strong reason to consider this tour for a mixed group. You do not all need to arrive as craft beer fans.

The brew bus is part of the attraction

The bus is not just a transfer vehicle. It gives the tour a shared social setting and removes the awkward logistics of moving a group around Memphis after drinking. You can listen to music, follow the narration, eat the included snack, and talk with the rest of your group.

I especially like the practical freedom this creates. Nobody has to volunteer as the driver, and you do not need to work out separate rides between breweries. The tour ends at a central meeting point rather than leaving you at the last brewery, which makes it easier to continue your evening from a familiar location.

The bus will operate in rain or shine. That means you should dress for the forecast and avoid treating this as an outdoor-only activity. The breweries provide the main stops, while the ride ties the evening together.

Group size is not specified in the details provided. The experience is described as private and for you and your group, but you should confirm the exact vehicle and capacity if that matters for your booking.

DJ Ric Chetter adds a Memphis soundtrack

The recorded narration by DJ Ric Chetter of Radio Memphis is one of the tour’s more unusual details. You get beer trivia, beer history, and Memphis indie music while moving between stops. That gives the transportation portion a clear purpose and links the beer outing to the city’s music identity.

This audio element will appeal most if you enjoy local context rather than a silent ride. It also helps keep the mood light between tastings. The private guide adds live anecdotes, so the tour combines a planned soundtrack with a person who can respond to the group.

Do not expect a full music tour of Memphis. The focus remains beer and breweries. Still, the connection matters because it shows you a side of the city beyond the most familiar music landmarks.

What the $58 price really covers

At $58 per person, the cost is reasonable if you plan to visit three breweries anyway. You are paying for transportation, a local English-speaking guide, beer samples at all three stops, a snack, water, and the convenience of a central return point.

The strongest value comes from the transportation. Three separate brewery visits can become expensive and inconvenient if you arrange rides on your own. This tour bundles the movement between locations with the tastings and local commentary.

The price may feel less compelling if you only want one or two drinks at one brewery. In that case, a self-guided visit could cost less and give you more time at a single place. The $58 makes the most sense for you if you want variety, do not want to drive, and enjoy having someone else handle the route.

It is also useful for a group celebration. One person who booked the experience as a birthday surprise found that the beer-loving guest enjoyed it, while the rest of the family still had a good time. That suggests the price can work for a mixed group, not just a table of dedicated beer fans.

Who should book this Memphis brewery tour

I would recommend this outing to:

• Adults who want to compare several Memphis breweries in one evening
• Small groups planning a birthday or casual celebration
• Beer fans who prefer samples and variety over one long visit
• People who want local commentary and music along with their tastings
• Mixed groups where some people like beer and others are still exploring it
• Visitors who do not want to drive between breweries

You should think twice if you want a long, unhurried visit at each brewery. The total time is fixed at three and a half hours, and it includes travel. You should also skip it if you are under 21, since the tour is not suitable for anyone younger.

Because the brewery names and exact starting time are not stated, ask for those details if your decision depends on a particular location or schedule. The tour promises three local breweries, but not a specific brewery lineup in the information available here.

Simple planning tips for a better outing

Bring a valid passport, ID card, or driver’s license. You will need proof of age, and the accepted documents are stated clearly in the tour information.

Plan to eat sensibly before the tour or use the snack on the bus as part of your pacing. Water is included, but the outing still involves tastings at three breweries. You do not need to be an expert, but you should approach the samples slowly enough to enjoy the differences.

Wear something comfortable for bus travel and brewery visits. The tour runs rain or shine, so check the weather before leaving and bring suitable outerwear if needed.

The booking terms are flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. That is useful if your Memphis schedule is still taking shape.

Is the three-brewery bus tour worth booking?

Book it if you want an easy, social way to sample Memphis craft beer without driving. The combination of three breweries, a private bus, a local guide, DJ Ric Chetter’s narration, tastings, snacks, and water gives you plenty for the $58 price.

I would be especially inclined to book it for a small celebration or a mixed group. You get more than a series of drinks: you get local stories, brewing context, music, and a simple way to see several parts of the city’s beer scene in one evening.

Skip it if you want a single brewery explored at length or if a specific brewery is the main reason for your visit. For everyone else, this is a practical introduction to Memphis beer with enough variety to keep even a cautious beer drinker interested.

FAQ

How long does the Memphis brewery tour last?

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

How many breweries does the tour visit?

The tour visits three local Memphis breweries.

Is transportation included?

Yes. You travel between the breweries on a comfortable brew bus, and the tour returns you to a centrally located meeting point.

Are beer samples included?

Yes. Beer samples are included at each brewery.

Is food included?

A snack and water are included on the bus.

Who leads the tour?

A local English-speaking guide leads the experience. DJ Ric Chetter of Radio Memphis provides recorded narration during the bus rides.

What identification should I bring?

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

Can people under 21 join?

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

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.