All-Inclusive Minneapolis Craft Brewery Tour

Minneapolis takes its beer seriously, and this three-stop minibus tour gives you a simple way to sample the city without arranging rides between breweries. You get about 50 minutes at Falling Knife, Fair State, and 56 Brewing, with all-you-can-drink beer included at each stop.

I especially like two things: full pints or flights are included, and the guides, including Eric, Nick, and Brad, help you choose beers instead of leaving you to guess at an unfamiliar tap list. The main consideration is that food is not included, and the tour is about beer tasting rather than formal brewery tours.

Key points to know before booking

• Three different Minneapolis breweries: Visit Falling Knife, Fair State Brewing Cooperative, and 56 Brewing in one afternoon or evening.
• More than sample pours: You can order full pints or flights at the stops, subject to each brewery’s service arrangements.
• A ride between every stop: Pickup, drop-off, and minibus transportation are included from the Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown.
• Guides shape the experience: Eric, Nick, and Brad have been praised for beer suggestions, local information, and friendly hosting.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is 14, giving the driver-guide room to offer personal recommendations.
• Plan around food and timing: Food is not included, and you should arrive 30 minutes before departure with photo ID.

Three Minneapolis breweries without the driving chore

This tour is built around a useful idea: let somebody else handle the roads while you concentrate on the beer. You meet at the Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown, at 35 S 7th St, 30 minutes before your chosen afternoon or evening departure.

From there, a professional driver-guide takes you by minibus to three breweries. The ride matters more than it may seem. Minneapolis breweries are spread across different parts of the city, and arranging separate rides can become expensive and awkward once your group starts ordering pints. Here, transportation, bottled water, and drop-off back at the starting point are built into the experience.

The group can include up to 14 people. That is large enough for a social outing but still small enough for the guide to learn what you like. Several guides have been singled out for making useful suggestions, especially Eric and Nick. If you are unsure about IPAs, stouts, sour beers, or something lighter, tell the guide early. The best use of the tour is not simply drinking as much as possible. It is trying styles you might not choose on your own.

The all-you-can-drink format also makes this different from a standard brewery sampler. At each stop, you may have full pints or flights rather than only miniature pours. That can be a strong value if you plan to try several beers, though it also means you should pace yourself across the three stops.

Falling Knife Brewing starts the tasting

The first stop is Falling Knife Brewing Co. in Northeast Minneapolis. The brewery uses a 20-barrel brewhouse and is described as a local favorite with a broad enough range to give the tour a proper opening.

You have about 50 minutes here. That is enough time to settle in, look over the available beers, and ask the guide for a recommendation. Past suggestions have included an IPA and a stout, so this is a useful stop for comparing darker and hop-forward beers.

The driver-guide helps coordinate the tasting, but this is not presented as a formal behind-the-scenes brewery visit. You should expect time in the taproom and help selecting beer, not a scheduled production tour with a brewer. That distinction matters if you are hoping to inspect tanks or learn the technical brewing process.

I like Falling Knife as the first stop because it gives you a chance to find your pace. Start with a flight if you want variety, then choose a full pint once you know what suits you. With two more breweries ahead, restraint at the first stop will serve you well.

Fair State brings a cooperative angle

The second stop is Fair State Brewing Cooperative. It is identified as the first cooperatively owned brewery in Minnesota and the third in the United States, giving the stop a different identity from a conventional taproom.

Fair State is known for small-batch beers that use local or hard-to-source ingredients. You have another 50 minutes to taste, ask questions, and compare its selections with what you had at Falling Knife. This middle stop is a good place to try something outside your usual order, since the guide can point you toward a beer that contrasts with your first choice.

The cooperative model adds a bit of context to the day. You are not just moving from bar to bar. You are seeing different approaches to Minneapolis brewing, from a 20-barrel operation at Falling Knife to a brewery built around cooperative ownership and small-batch experimentation.

Again, keep your expectations clear. The guide provides beer advice and local information, but the supplied details do not promise a formal tour inside each brewery. One past suggestion for improving the experience was to offer more direct brewery tours. If that is important to you, ask about it before booking.

56 Brewing finishes with variety

The final stop is 56 Brewing, where you have another 50 minutes. The taproom is presented as a place with an especially varied beer selection, making it a fitting final stop for a group with different tastes.

Specific beers mentioned include Crispy Business and Lake Hopper. You can ask the guide for help, or use the last stop to order a style you have not tried yet. If your group has split preferences, a flight may be the easiest way to keep everyone involved without committing to several full pints.

The order of the breweries gives the tour a nice rhythm: start with Falling Knife, explore Fair State’s small-batch approach, then finish with the wider choice at 56 Brewing. Brewery selections can change, so you should not treat any particular beer as guaranteed. The value comes from the chance to taste across three taprooms while someone else manages the route.

When the 56 Brewing visit ends, the minibus returns you to the Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown. That final ride is a practical advantage, especially for anyone staying downtown or meeting friends there afterward.

Why the all-inclusive beer format matters

Many brewery outings include transportation but charge separately for beer. This one includes all-you-can-drink craft beer at every stop. The difference is important if you want more than a token taste.

You may choose full pints or flights, according to the available service at each brewery. That flexibility lets you build the experience around your own preferences. A beer fan can sample widely, while a less adventurous drinker can ask for smaller pours and take recommendations from the guide.

Still, all-inclusive does not mean you should race through the tap lists. Three breweries in roughly three hours leaves about 50 minutes at each stop, with driving time between them. Drinking too quickly can ruin the final stop, and the point of the tour is to compare Minneapolis beer, not simply maximize volume.

The included bottled water helps, but it does not replace food. Since meals and snacks are not part of the tour, eat beforehand or plan a meal before or after the outing. This is one of the clearest practical drawbacks. Beer on an empty stomach is a poor strategy, especially when the tour includes several stops.

The actual ticket price is not provided here, so I cannot judge the dollar amount directly. To assess the deal, compare the cost with three brewery visits, multiple beer orders, a professional driver, minibus transportation, bottled water, and downtown pickup and return. If you would otherwise pay for rides between breweries and several full servings, the package may offer solid value.

The guides are a major part of the experience

The brewery list gets you onto the bus, but the guide shapes the day. Eric receives repeated praise for being friendly, attentive, and good at matching beers to individual tastes. Nick is also described as helpful, informed, and welcoming, while Brad is noted for being personable and well prepared.

Those details matter because a brewery tap list can be intimidating. A group may include an IPA fan, a stout drinker, and someone who normally avoids beer altogether. A good guide can keep the outing from becoming three unrelated bar visits by explaining what to try and adding local neighborhood or Minneapolis background along the way.

The guide also handles practical details at each brewery. That includes helping coordinate beer tasting and keeping the group moving so you reach all three stops. Several comments praise guides for making the three-hour schedule feel relaxed rather than rushed.

The tour is not a lecture-heavy experience. It is better suited to you if you want a friendly host, useful recommendations, and a social ride between taprooms. If your priority is a technical lesson on brewing equipment, ingredients, and production, you may prefer a dedicated brewery tour at one location.

Timing, group size, and what to bring

Plan to arrive at the Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown 30 minutes before departure. The listed address is 35 S 7th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402. The tour returns to this same meeting point.

The total time is about three hours, with afternoon and evening departures available. The maximum group size is 14. A smaller group may feel more personal, while a full minibus will naturally be more social and lively.

You must be at least 21 years old and bring photo ID. Every participant must sign a liability waiver before the tour begins. A moderate amount of walking is involved, so comfortable shoes are sensible.

The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. A cooler is provided for beer purchases, which is a thoughtful extra if you find something you want to take home. The supplied information does not specify how much space is available, so I would keep purchases modest unless the guide tells you otherwise.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum group size is not reached. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but late cancellations and changes are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this Minneapolis beer outing

I would recommend this tour to beer fans who want variety without planning a route. It also fits visitors staying downtown, couples looking for an easy afternoon activity, and friends who want to socialize without assigning a designated driver.

It can work for people who are not serious beer drinkers, too. The guide can suggest approachable options, and flights allow you to taste without committing to a full pint. Several past participants specifically appreciated that personal recommendations made the outing comfortable for people with different levels of beer interest.

Families can book only if every participant meets the 21-year-old minimum. The activity is not designed for children or anyone who does not drink.

You should think twice if you want a long, technical brewery tour at each location. The schedule gives you tasting time at three breweries, not an in-depth production tour at one brewery. You should also reconsider if you need a meal included, have difficulty with moderate walking, or dislike group activities.

My verdict on the three-stop route

I like the balance here. You get three distinct breweries, about 50 minutes at each, beer included, and a minibus that removes the hardest part of a brewery crawl. The strongest feature is the combination of full-pour flexibility and a guide who can help you make sense of unfamiliar tap lists.

The main limitation is equally clear: this is a hosted tasting crawl, not three formal brewery tours. Food is not included, the tour depends on minimum numbers and decent weather, and the all-you-can-drink setup requires sensible pacing.

Book it if you want a relaxed way to sample Minneapolis beer, especially if you are visiting from out of town or do not want to drive. Ask the guide for a mix of styles, drink water between stops, and eat before departure. Skip it if your goal is machinery, brewing demonstrations, or a long sit-down meal.

FAQ

Where does the Minneapolis brewery tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

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

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

Which breweries are visited?

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

Is beer included in the tour price?

Yes. All-you-can-drink craft beer is included at each brewery stop.

Can I order full pints?

Yes. The experience allows full pints or flights at the breweries, rather than limiting you to small samples.

Is transportation included?

Yes. A minibus, professional driver-guide, pickup, and drop-off are included.

How old must I be to join?

All participants must be at least 21 years old and must show photo ID.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.