Memphis Brew Bus Tour with Three Local Breweries & Tastings

Memphis has a good way to turn an ordinary brewery crawl into an easy afternoon out. This three-brewery bus tour picks you up downtown, handles the driving, and gives you several chances to compare local beers without arranging taxis or choosing a designated driver. The small-group limit of 20 keeps it more personal than a big sightseeing coach.

I like the door-to-door transportation and the generous tasting format. I also like that the tour works for more than hop-heads: one guest who does not usually drink beer especially enjoyed the fruity and sour choices. The main thing to watch is the clock. The advertised time is about three and a half hours, but one outing ran close to four, which could make a dinner reservation or evening show feel rushed.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Memphis breweries in one afternoon: You get a useful sample of the city’s craft beer scene instead of building your own crawl.
• A downtown start and finish: Meet at 552 S Main Street at 2 pm, then return to the same point.
• Transportation is part of the value: A driver and private vehicle let you taste without worrying about driving between stops.
• Plenty of drinks and snacks: Beer, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and snacks are included.
• Ghost River gets special praise: It was a favorite for one repeat-minded guest, while another loved the broad selection of beers and sours at the final stop.
• Small-group format: The maximum is 20 people, and the experience is offered in English.

Three breweries, one easy Memphis afternoon

The basic idea is simple: meet downtown, climb aboard, and let the local guide organize the brewery hopping. Instead of spending your Memphis visit studying opening hours, parking rules, tasting-room locations, and safe transportation, you spend the afternoon tasting and talking.

That matters in a city where a self-guided crawl can become a string of disconnected stops. Here, the guide gives the day a common thread. You move as a group, learn about Memphis brewing along the way, and have someone else keep an eye on the route and timing.

The tour runs for approximately three hours and 30 minutes. That is long enough to visit three breweries, but not so long that beer tasting takes over your whole day. You start at 2 pm and finish back at the downtown meeting point, making this a reasonable afternoon plan for someone staying near central Memphis.

Still, build in some flexibility afterward. One outing lasted almost four hours. That is not a major problem if your evening is open, but it matters if you have a fixed dinner booking, concert, or show.

Meeting at 552 South Main Street

Your day begins at 552 S Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103. The tour ends at this same meeting point, which makes the return simple and removes the need to figure out a second pickup location.

The meeting point is near public transportation, another useful detail if you are not staying within an easy walk. Confirmation is provided when you book, so check the exact instructions before setting out. The tour starts at 2 pm, and arriving early is sensible for any activity with a shared vehicle and a firm departure time.

The mobile ticket is convenient. You do not need to print a voucher, though you should keep the booking available on your phone. Since the experience is capped at 20 people, booking ahead is wise. It averages about 23 days in advance, which tells you this is not always a last-minute activity, particularly if you are planning a weekend in Memphis.

The first brewery: settle into the local beer scene

The first stop gets you into the rhythm of the afternoon. You can expect a brewery visit with tastings, time to look around, and an introduction to the beers being made in Memphis.

The exact breweries can vary, so you should not book this expecting a fixed list of three named locations. That flexibility can be useful. It lets the operator work with current brewery schedules and present a mix of local stops, but it also means the experience may not match a very specific brewery wish list.

There was one reported snag at a first stop, where the brewery did not appear to be expecting the group and no brewery guide was available. The bus tour still continued, but that is a fair reminder that brewery operations can be less polished than a formal museum visit. If your ideal outing requires a behind-the-scenes production tour at every location, this may not meet that standard.

For most people, the value is the tasting and the local setting rather than a technical brewing lecture. You can sample, ask questions, and get a sense of how Memphis beer makers approach different styles. The guide helps keep the visit moving and makes the afternoon feel like one organized experience rather than three unrelated bar stops.

The middle stop: compare styles instead of ordering one pint

The second brewery is where the comparison begins to pay off. Rather than committing to a full glass of one beer, you can try several options and notice how different breweries handle familiar styles.

This is especially helpful if you are still learning what you like. You might find a crisp beer, a darker pour, a stronger hop profile, or something fruit-forward. The tour is not only for dedicated beer drinkers. One guest who described being less interested in beer particularly enjoyed fruity and sour selections.

The tastings also make the price easier to assess. At $64.75 per person, you are paying for more than transportation. The fee includes beverages, alcoholic beverages, snacks, bottled water, the driver, the local guide, and taxes and handling charges. The number of pours and the exact tasting format can vary by brewery, so do not treat the price as an unlimited-drinks deal. But with three stops and transportation included, it is a reasonable package for someone who wants a structured afternoon.

A practical tip: taste slowly. The tour gives you multiple breweries, and the point is to compare rather than race through every sample. Water and snacks are included, which helps, but you should still pace yourself.

The final brewery: save room for broad beer choices

The last stop seems to be the strongest finish for variety. One outing ended at a brewery with a large selection of beers and sours, and that broad menu was a favorite part of the day.

This is a useful feature if your group has mixed tastes. One person can look for a sour or fruity beer, while another chooses something more traditional. You do not have to agree on one style for the whole afternoon.

Ghost River also received particularly strong praise from one guest who said it was the top stop. Since the route can vary, I would not promise that Ghost River will be included on every departure. But if it is on your route, it may be a highlight for anyone looking for a distinctly Memphis brewery experience.

The final stop is also where timing matters most. Tasting three breweries takes longer than simply visiting three bars, and conversations, ordering, and group movement can add minutes. If you have evening plans, keep them flexible and allow more than the advertised three and a half hours.

What the guide and bus add to the day

The guide is central to the experience. You are not simply handed a list of breweries and left to manage the afternoon. The guide brings the group together, helps with the schedule, and provides local context about Memphis and its brewing scene.

Damon was singled out as an especially fun guide on one departure, while other feedback praised the driver for being attentive and the bus for being clean. Those details matter. A brewery tour works best when the vehicle is comfortable, the transitions are smooth, and you feel looked after between tastings.

The transportation also solves the most obvious problem with a beer crawl: getting from place to place safely. You do not need to select a designated driver, call separate rides, or worry about parking after a few samples. For couples, friends, families with adult children, and solo visitors, that can be worth a large part of the fee.

The maximum group size is 20. That is not a private tour, but it is small enough for a social outing rather than a crowd moving through a large coach. You may share the bus with people you have never met, which is part of the appeal if you enjoy easy conversation. It is less ideal if you want a quiet, private tasting with only your own group.

How the $64.75 price measures up

At $64.75, the tour sits in the moderate range for a guided alcohol experience. The fair question is not simply how much each beer costs. You should also count the driver, the vehicle, the guide, snacks, water, taxes, and the time saved planning three stops.

A self-guided brewery crawl might cost less if you visit only one or two nearby tasting rooms and skip transportation. But once you add rides, separate tasting fees, food, and the risk of spending too much time finding your way around, the gap may narrow.

The tour is strongest value for three kinds of people:

• Visitors without a car: You get transportation between breweries and return to downtown.
• Groups that want to drink together: Nobody has to stay sober to drive.
• Beer drinkers who want variety: Three stops let you compare local styles in one afternoon.

The price is less compelling if you only want one specific brewery, prefer to buy full pours at your own pace, or do not drink much alcohol. Snacks and nonalcoholic water are included, but this is still built around beer tasting.

What to know about timing, age, and access

Everyone taking part must be at least 21 years old, and the minimum drinking age is 21. Bring valid identification if needed for age checks, though the supplied details do not specify which forms of identification each brewery accepts.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is near public transportation, but the information does not describe vehicle accessibility or the exact walking distance inside each brewery. If you have mobility concerns, contact the operator before booking and ask about the vehicle and brewery layouts.

The tour requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached and the activity is canceled, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Otherwise, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Who will enjoy this brewery bus most

I would recommend this to you if you want a social Memphis activity with a local angle and do not want to plan the transport yourself. It works particularly well for couples, friend groups, birthday outings, anniversaries, and solo visitors who like meeting people along the way.

It is also a good choice for a mixed group. You can try familiar beers, fruitier options, and sours, so the afternoon does not depend on everyone loving one narrow style. The included snacks and water are useful, though you should not confuse them with a full meal.

You may want another plan if you need a strictly timed itinerary. The tour generally lasts around three and a half hours, but one outing came close to four. I would avoid scheduling an important event immediately afterward.

I would also think twice if you expect detailed tours inside every brewery. The focus is on tasting, local beer, transportation, and the social experience. At least one stop did not have a brewery guide ready, so the behind-the-scenes element is not guaranteed at each location.

Should you book the Memphis Brew Bus?

Book it if you want an uncomplicated way to sample three Memphis breweries, travel safely, and let a local guide handle the afternoon. The strongest reasons are the three-stop format, included transportation, friendly guides, and the wide range of beers and sours available across the route.

Skip it if you want complete control over your schedule, need a private tour, or have evening plans that cannot move. For everyone else, $64.75 is a fair price for a social, well-organized brewery crawl that gives you a broader taste of Memphis than one tasting room can provide.

FAQ

Where does the Memphis Brew Bus Tour begin?

The tour begins at 552 S Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103, USA.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at 552 S Main Street.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 2 pm.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is approximately three hours and 30 minutes. One outing lasted almost four hours, so allow extra time if you have evening plans.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $64.75 per person.

How many breweries does the tour visit?

The tour visits three local Memphis craft breweries.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation, a driver, and a local guide are included.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. The tour includes beverages, alcoholic beverages, snacks, and bottled water.

How old must you be to join?

The minimum age is 21, and the minimum drinking age is also 21.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.