Memphis: 3 Local Breweries Bus Tour with Tastings

Memphis has a beer story beyond the blues. This three-brewery bus tour gives you a relaxed way to compare local beers, meet brewers, and see a side of the city that is easy to miss when you stick to Beale Street and the main sights. A private guide keeps the ride lively, while DJ Ric Chetter supplies recorded beer trivia, brewing history, and Memphis indie music.

I like two things right away: the private bus keeps your group together and removes the need to arrange rides between breweries, and the tasting format lets you compare three different brewing styles in one afternoon or evening. The snack and water service also helps pace the alcohol. The main drawback is that the brewery names and exact starting times are not fixed in the information provided, so you should check the schedule carefully before booking.

• Three brewery visits: Sample beer at three Memphis breweries and get a look behind the scenes at each one.
• Private group transportation: Ride between stops on a comfortable brew bus instead of finding taxis or arranging a designated driver.
• DJ Ric Chetter narration: Hear beer trivia, brewing history, and Memphis indie music during the drive.
• Food and water included: Snacks and water help break up the tastings, though this is not a full meal.
• Rain or shine: The tour runs in all weather, so dress for the forecast.
• Adults only: Every participant must be at least 21 and carry a passport, ID card, or driver’s license.

Three Memphis Breweries in 210 Minutes

The tour lasts 210 minutes, or three and a half hours. That is enough time to visit three breweries without turning the day into an exhausting pub crawl. The bus handles the travel, leaving you to focus on the beer, the people around you, and the character of each stop.

The exact breweries can vary, and no fixed list is supplied. That matters because you should not book expecting a particular taproom or a guaranteed beer. Instead, think of this as a sampling route through Memphis brewing culture, with three stops chosen for their local appeal.

At each brewery, you can expect beer samples and some form of behind-the-scenes introduction. The experience is not limited to drinking at a bar. You are there to compare how different brewers make and present their beer, and to pick up some local context along the way.

Stop One: Start With a Taste of Local Brewing

The first brewery gives you a useful baseline for the rest of the tour. Your palate is fresh, and you can pay attention to the basics: how the beer smells, how bitter or sweet it feels, and how much character comes from the brewing choices.

The guide helps turn those comparisons into something more useful than a string of samples. You do not need to be a beer expert. If you normally order the same style every time, this first stop may help you spot what you like in a lager, ale, stout, or another style offered that day.

The behind-the-scenes element is especially valuable here. You can learn about the process from the people making the beer, rather than only reading a tap list. The supplied details do not promise a full production-floor tour, so treat this as an insider look rather than a technical brewery seminar.

Stop Two: Compare the Breweries, Not Just the Beers

By the second stop, the tour becomes a comparison exercise. Each brewery has its own character, and the point is to notice those differences. One may focus on a particular group of beer styles, while another may feel more experimental or more traditional. The exact mix depends on the breweries visited and what they are pouring.

I like this part of the format because it gives you context. A single brewery visit can leave you wondering if you liked the beer or simply liked the setting. Three stops let you make a better judgment.

The guide is also important here. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide who adds anecdotes and keeps the group moving. The guide is not merely a driver or a server. You are paying for someone to connect the stops and give the evening some shape.

Stop Three: Finish With Choices for the Rest of Your Night

The final brewery gives you one last chance to compare styles and decide what you would order again. If you are already a craft beer fan, you may enjoy narrowing down favorites. If you are not much of a beer drinker, the range may help you find one or two options you actually enjoy.

One of the strongest points in the available feedback is that even a non-beer drinker found something to like. That does not mean every participant will love every sample, but it does show why the tour works better than a simple beer tasting. You get local history, production details, music, and a social outing along with the drinks.

After the third stop, the bus returns you to a centrally located meeting point. You can then continue your night in Memphis without needing to drive. That final drop-off is useful if you want to pair the tour with dinner, live music, or more time downtown.

The Brew Bus Makes the Evening Easier

Transportation is one of the clearest reasons to choose this experience. Memphis is spread out, and visiting three breweries on your own means planning the route, finding parking, and deciding who will stay sober enough to drive. The bus takes those jobs off your plate.

This is a private tour for your group, which gives it a more personal feel than a large public coach. The information does not state the maximum group size, so you should ask if that detail matters to your plans. Still, the private format should suit a birthday, a small celebration, or a weekend outing with friends.

The ride itself is part of the entertainment. DJ Ric Chetter of Radio Memphis recorded narration for the travel time, covering beer trivia, beer history, and Memphis indie music. That is a nice local touch. You are not simply sitting in traffic between taprooms, and the audio helps connect the beer stops to the city.

The bus includes snacks and water. This is a practical inclusion, but do not mistake it for dinner. You should eat before the tour or plan a meal afterward, especially if you are sensitive to alcohol.

What Makes the Brewery Visits Worth Your Time

Memphis is widely associated with music, but this tour shows you another part of its current food and drink culture. The breweries are not presented as isolated bars. They are places where you can see local production, hear stories, and compare the way each business builds its identity.

The behind-the-scenes angle also gives the tour more substance. You might learn why certain ingredients matter, how beers differ, or what makes one brewery’s approach unlike another’s. The supplied details do not list specific brewing equipment or production demonstrations, so the depth of the technical information may vary by stop.

I would approach the tour with curiosity rather than a checklist. You are not guaranteed a particular beer style, brewery owner, or production activity. What you do get is a planned route, samples at three locations, and a guide who can make the differences easier to understand.

Is $58 a Fair Price?

At $58 per person, the price is reasonable if you value the transportation and guided structure. You are receiving three brewery visits, beer samples at each stop, a private bus ride, a guide, snacks, and water. Booking three separate tastings and arranging safe transportation could cost more, while also requiring extra planning.

The value is strongest for people who want to sample without driving. It is also good for a group celebrating a birthday or returning to Memphis for a second look. One birthday outing received especially warm feedback because the experience worked for a beer fan, a parent, and someone who did not usually drink beer.

The price is less compelling if you already know exactly which breweries you want to visit and can arrange transportation easily. You may prefer to spend the same money on a longer visit at one favorite taproom. This tour earns its cost through variety and convenience, not through a large meal or unlimited pours.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most

This experience suits adults who want a social introduction to Memphis beer. It is a good match for a small group of friends, couples, birthday plans, and people who want a night out without planning every stop.

You do not need to be a beer specialist. The guide, narration, and range of breweries give beginners a way into the subject. People who already know a lot about beer may enjoy the local access and the chance to compare three producers, but they should keep expectations realistic because the exact breweries and samples are not specified.

It is not suitable for anyone under 21. You should also bring a valid passport, ID card, or driver’s license. Since the tour operates rain or shine, you need clothing and footwear that can handle the weather on the day.

How to Get More From the Tastings

Start slowly. Three brewery stops in three and a half hours is a steady pace, not a contest. Use the water provided, eat beforehand, and pay attention to how each sample tastes rather than trying to finish everything quickly.

Take mental notes about what you like. You might compare light and dark beers, bitterness, sweetness, body, or fruit and spice notes. Even a simple favorite, such as the crisp one at the second stop, gives you something to remember later.

Listen during the bus rides. The DJ Ric Chetter narration adds local music and beer context that you would not get by visiting the taprooms alone. The drive is part of the tour, not empty time between tastings.

You should also leave room in your evening after the drop-off. The bus returns you to a central meeting point, so you can continue exploring Memphis. Do not plan another activity that requires precise timing immediately afterward, since brewery visits can vary in pace.

Practical Details Before You Book

The tour is offered in English and includes a live guide. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date and time before you commit to dinner or a show.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Memphis plans are still taking shape. These policies make the experience easier to fit into a flexible trip.

Plan for the full 210 minutes. The tour is not a quick tasting you can squeeze between two attractions. Give yourself extra time before the meeting point and after the final drop-off.

The tour runs in all weather. Rain will not cancel it, so bring suitable clothing and shoes. Most of the experience takes place at breweries and on the bus, but you may still need to move between the vehicle and each venue.

Should You Book the Memphis Brewery Bus Tour?

I would book this tour if you want variety, safe transportation, and local context in one package. The three-stop format is more interesting than visiting one brewery, and the private bus keeps the group together. The music and beer narration also give the ride a distinctly Memphis feel.

I would skip it if you want a specific brewery, a full meal, or a highly technical brewing lesson. Those details are not guaranteed. For everyone else, $58 is a fair price for a relaxed three-and-a-half-hour outing that works for committed beer fans and curious beginners alike.

FAQ

How long is the Memphis brewery bus tour?

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

How many breweries does the tour visit?

You visit three local Memphis breweries.

Are beer samples included?

Yes. Beer samples are included at each brewery.

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.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The bus is for you and your group.

Who leads the tour?

A local English-speaking guide leads the experience. Recorded narration by DJ Ric Chetter of Radio Memphis plays during travel time.

What is included on the bus?

Snacks and water are included on the bus.

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 anyone under 21.

What happens if it rains?

The tour runs rain or shine, so you should dress for the weather.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Do I have to pay when I book?

No. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book your spot without paying immediately.