Memphis Brew Bus Tour with Three Local Breweries & Tastings

Memphis has more to offer beer fans than one good taproom. This three-brewery bus tour gives you a simple way to compare local beer, meet other curious drinkers, and see parts of the city without planning your own route or driving afterward.

I like the small maximum of 20 people, which should keep the afternoon social without turning it into a large coach outing. I also like that the price includes transportation, alcoholic drinks, snacks, water, taxes, and a local guide. The main caution is timing: the advertised three and a half hours can run longer, so leave room before dinner or an evening show.

Key things to know before booking

• Three Memphis breweries in one afternoon: You get a broad sample of the city’s craft beer scene rather than spending the whole visit in one taproom.
• Downtown pickup and return: Meet at 552 S Main St at 2 pm, then finish back at the same point.
• The guide handles the driving: Private transportation lets you taste beer without arranging rides between breweries.
• Tastings can be generous: The experience includes alcoholic drinks, and one stop has been praised for offering a wide range of beers and sours.
• A friendly, social format: The bus works well for couples, families with adult children, friends, solo visitors, and local residents.
• Plan for flexibility: One past outing lasted close to four hours, so do not schedule an important event too tightly afterward.

Three breweries, one easy Memphis afternoon

The appeal here is variety. Instead of choosing one brewery and hoping its current tap list suits you, you visit three local producers in one outing. That gives you a better feel for Memphis beer, especially if you are still learning which styles you like.

You might find familiar pale ales and darker beers alongside fruit-forward pours or sour options. A guest who was not a big beer drinker especially enjoyed the fruitier and sour beers, which is useful if you normally find standard beer too bitter. The tour is not limited to hop fans.

The experience begins at 2 pm from 552 S Main St in downtown Memphis. That location is close to public transportation, and the tour ends there as well. The fixed start and finish make it easier to fit into a day of sightseeing, though you should allow extra time afterward in case the group runs behind.

The stated duration is about three hours and 30 minutes. In practice, the pace may vary based on brewery crowds, pours, and how long each stop takes. A past outing reached almost four hours. That is not a dealbreaker for me, but it matters if you have tickets for a show or a dinner reservation immediately afterward.

What the private bus adds

The transportation is more than a convenience. Brewery hopping is awkward when you must choose a sober driver, call several rides, or work out parking near each taproom. Here, the driver and guide take care of the movement between stops while you focus on tasting and conversation.

The bus also gives the afternoon a shared rhythm. You meet at the downtown pickup, visit one brewery, regroup for the next, and return to the same place. That structure is useful in a city you do not know well, and it removes much of the guesswork from building your own brewery route.

The group can include up to 20 people. That is large enough to create a lively mood but small enough that the guide can remain attentive. A clean bus and a good driver were specifically praised, along with the guide’s care during the afternoon.

Do not expect a private tasting for just your own party. You are joining a group, and the social side is part of the point. Solo visitors can fit in easily, while couples and groups of friends have a ready-made activity that does not require everyone to agree on the next stop.

Stop one: getting oriented to Memphis beer

The first brewery sets the tone. This is where you begin comparing styles, learning how the afternoon works, and deciding which kinds of beer deserve closer attention later.

The exact brewery lineup can vary, and the supplied details do not name every stop. That means you should think of this as a broad local tasting rather than a tour built around one guaranteed flagship brewery.

One past outing had a rough start because the first brewery was not expecting the group and did not have a guide available. The experience still continued with good beer, but this is a fair reason to keep expectations practical. Brewery tours depend partly on the day’s staffing and taproom conditions.

You may receive information about the beer, the brewing process, or Memphis’s beer scene from the tour guide rather than from a formal brewery staff presentation at every stop. That distinction matters. If you want a detailed behind-the-scenes production tour at each brewery, this may not be the right format. If you want to taste several local beers with someone handling the logistics, it makes more sense.

Stop two: comparing styles without rushing your choices

The second stop is where the comparison becomes useful. One brewery’s pale beer may taste very different from another’s version, while a sour or fruit-based pour can reset your palate. You do not need to be an expert. Pay attention to what you actually enjoy.

I recommend using the early tastings as a guide rather than trying to sample every possible style. One past participant specifically wished they had been more selective with the tasting choices. That is good advice, especially when three stops are packed into one afternoon.

Ask the guide for help if you are unsure. The tour is designed around local insight, and the guide can help you make sense of unfamiliar options. The reviews also point to guides who were friendly, attentive, and fun, with Damon singled out by name during one particularly enjoyable outing.

Snacks and bottled water are included, which is important on a beer-focused tour. Still, the experience is not a substitute for a full meal. Eat sensibly before you arrive, and use the included snacks as support rather than your only food for the afternoon.

Stop three: saving room for a wide final tasting

The last stop has earned a reputation within the supplied feedback for offering a broad selection, including several beers and sours. That variety can make it the most exciting stop, especially if you have discovered that fruitier or tart beers suit you better than bitter, hop-heavy choices.

There is also a practical reason to appreciate a varied final stop. By then, you know more about your own preferences. Instead of tasting blindly, you can choose with purpose. If you loved the sour at an earlier brewery, look for another tart option. If you preferred a darker or more traditional beer, ask what comes closest.

The exact pours are not guaranteed, so treat the selection as a possibility rather than a promise. Brewery menus change, and the tour does not provide a fixed list of beers in advance.

The final stop also gives the afternoon a natural finish before the bus returns downtown. You can compare notes with the other people in the group, decide which brewery deserves a return visit, and make your way back without worrying about driving.

What the guide contributes

A good guide can turn a basic tasting route into a better introduction to Memphis. The most valued traits here are personal attention, friendliness, local information, and a relaxed sense of fun.

The guide is not only there to point the bus toward the next brewery. You can expect help navigating the local beer scene, along with information about Memphis that you might otherwise miss. One participant noted learning more about the city during the tour, which suggests the ride itself adds context beyond the taprooms.

The guide’s role also matters for first-time visitors who are unsure about safety, transportation, or how the brewery stops work. A birthday group particularly appreciated feeling comfortable while visiting places they had not seen before. I would not treat that as a guarantee about every circumstance, but it does show the value of having a local person manage the afternoon.

Damon was named as an especially enjoyable guide during one outing. Guide assignments can change, so book this for the format and service rather than expecting one particular person unless the operator confirms it.

Is $64.75 a fair price?

At $64.75 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use the full package. You are paying for about three and a half hours, private transportation, a driver, a local guide, alcoholic beverages, snacks, bottled water, and all taxes, fees, and handling charges.

The real value is in combining three stops without paying for separate rides or deciding who will stay sober. A self-planned brewery afternoon could cost less if you visit only one nearby taproom, but it would not offer the same range of tastings or the convenience of a dedicated driver.

The tour becomes less valuable if you are interested in only one specific brewery or prefer to order a full meal at each stop. It is also not the cheapest choice for someone who barely drinks. Still, the fruit and sour options make it more welcoming to people who are unsure about beer, and the social setting can make the outing worthwhile even when your tasting list is selective.

The price includes alcoholic beverages, but the available details do not state an unlimited quantity or a fixed number of pours. Drink at your own pace, and do not feel pressure to try everything.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this experience for:

• Couples looking for an easy afternoon activity
• Friends who want to sample several breweries without arranging transportation
• Solo visitors who enjoy meeting people in a relaxed group
• Families celebrating with adult children, including a 21st birthday
• Local residents who want a planned introduction to Memphis breweries
• Beer drinkers who want to compare styles across three locations
• Non-beer specialists who are open to fruit beers, sours, and lighter choices

It is less suited to anyone under 21, since the minimum age and drinking age are both 21. It is also a poor match for a tight evening schedule. Leave a generous buffer after the 2 pm start.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is offered in English. A mobile ticket is provided, which keeps the booking simple when you are moving around downtown.

Practical advice for a smoother afternoon

Arrive at 552 S Main St with enough time to find the meeting point before 2 pm. The tour returns there, so you can leave anything you do not need during the brewery stops according to the operator’s instructions.

Wear something comfortable for a few hours of moving between a bus and taprooms. Bring a phone, since the ticket is mobile, and keep water in mind even though bottled water is provided.

Eat before meeting the group. Snacks are included, but an afternoon of tastings is easier when you are not starting hungry. If you know you prefer sour, fruit-forward, dark, or low-bitterness beers, tell the guide early. That can help you make better choices.

Most important, do not book a show, dinner, or other fixed event too soon after the planned 5:30 pm finish. The listed duration is approximate, and one outing lasted nearly four hours.

Cancellation is free when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation by the operator would result in another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Memphis Brew Bus?

Book it if you want an easy, social way to sample three Memphis breweries and do not want to drive between them. The strongest reasons are the included transportation, the broad tasting format, the small maximum group size, and the chance to try styles beyond standard beer.

I would be more cautious if you need a precise finish time, want a formal brewery tour at every stop, or already know you prefer one particular taproom. For everyone else, $64.75 is a fair outlay for a full afternoon of local beer, snacks, guidance, and safe transportation.

The smart move is to arrive with an open mind, eat first, and keep your evening schedule flexible. That gives the tour room to be what it does best: a friendly introduction to Memphis brewing, with enough variety to help you find a beer worth ordering again.

FAQ

Where does the Memphis Brew Bus Tour begin?

The tour begins at 552 S Main St, Memphis, Tennessee 38103.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 2 pm.

Where does the tour end?

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

How long does the tour last?

The planned duration is approximately three hours and 30 minutes, though the timing can run longer.

How many breweries does the tour visit?

The tour visits three local Memphis breweries.

What is included in the price?

The price includes taxes, fees, handling charges, beverages, alcoholic beverages, a driver, a local guide, snacks, bottled water, and private transportation.

How old must I be to join?

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

What is the cancellation policy?

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