Memphis: 3 Local Breweries Bus Tour with Tastings

Three breweries, one moving home base. This three-and-a-half-hour Memphis brewery tour gives you samples at three local breweries, a private bus for your group, and an entertaining ride between stops. I like the easy mix of beer tasting and city context, especially with DJ Ric Chetter’s recorded beer trivia, brewing history, and Memphis indie music filling the travel time. I also like that the experience goes beyond the usual tourist circuit and lets each brewery offer its own character.

The main drawback is simple: the three brewery names and exact stop order are not provided in advance. That may suit you if you enjoy a little surprise, but beer fans who want a specific taproom or beer style should check before booking. The tour also runs rain or shine, and you must be at least 21 with acceptable identification.

Key points at a glance

• Three Memphis breweries in 210 minutes: You get a compact introduction to the city’s local beer scene without arranging separate rides.
• A private brew bus for your group: Transportation is part of the experience, with a guide, snacks, and water on board.
• Samples at every brewery: You can compare the character of three different producers instead of judging one taproom alone.
• DJ Ric Chetter’s Memphis soundtrack: Beer facts, local brewing history, and Memphis indie music make the road time more lively.
• A social but relaxed outing: The bus helps friends spend time together and removes the need to drive between tastings.
• Strong value at $58: The price includes the guide, transportation, beer samples, snacks, and water, though it is less attractive if you drink very little beer.

Why this Memphis brewery tour works

Memphis is famous for its music, but the city’s beer culture gives you another way to understand it. This tour connects three local breweries in one outing, so you get more than a single flight in a single taproom. You can compare how each brewery presents its beer, how the spaces feel, and which styles suit your taste.

I especially like the way the bus turns separate brewery visits into one shared event. You do not have to study a map, order a rideshare after each tasting, or nominate one person to stay sober and drive. The bus carries your group from place to place while the guide keeps the mood light.

The format is private for you and your group. That matters if you are marking a birthday, planning a weekend with friends, or simply want an afternoon that feels organized without being formal. One birthday outing included a father who loved beer, a mother, and a daughter who did not consider herself a beer drinker. The daughter still found beers she liked and enjoyed the history and behind-the-scenes elements.

That is a useful clue about the tour. It is not only about drinking as much as possible. It is also about seeing how different breweries work, hearing local stories, and spending time together.

Three stops, three different brewery personalities

The tour visits three Memphis breweries, but the available information does not identify them or promise a fixed order. I would treat that as part of the flexible nature of the experience, not as a reason to expect a particular brewery. If you have your heart set on one taproom, ask the provider before paying.

At the first brewery, you can expect to begin comparing the city’s brewing styles. The samples are included, so you do not need to commit to a full pint before deciding what you like. This is helpful if you are new to craft beer or usually stick with one familiar style.

The first stop also sets the pace. You are not spending an entire afternoon in one location. Instead, you get a short introduction, some beer to taste, and then a bus ride that gives you time to reset before the next stop. I would pay attention to the differences between the samples rather than trying to rank them too quickly. The value here is the comparison.

The second brewery gives the experience more range. Each location has its own charm, and the tour is designed to show those differences. You might notice a change in atmosphere, brewing approach, or the way the staff presents the beer, but the supplied details do not promise a specific behind-the-scenes activity at every stop.

That distinction is important. The tour offers behind-the-scenes looks at how different breweries make beer, but you should not assume a full production-floor visit or a formal brewing demonstration. Think of it as an insider-oriented introduction rather than a technical brewing class.

By the third brewery, you have a useful basis for comparison. You may have found one beer style you prefer, or you may discover that your taste is broader than expected. The final stop also lets the afternoon finish with a clear sense of Memphis as a city with more than one beer identity.

Because the stops are not named, you should see the three-brewery structure as the main promise. The precise venues may change, and that can be helpful if the city’s local beer scene is shifting. It also means the tour is better for curious visitors than for people building their day around one famous brewery.

Beer samples without the guesswork

Every brewery includes beer samples. This is one of the strongest practical features because sampling several beers at each location would cost more if you arranged it on your own. You can taste across the stops without ordering a full serving every time.

I like this format for mixed groups. Serious beer fans can compare the offerings, while people who are still finding their way around craft beer can try smaller tastes. The daughter on the birthday outing is a good example: she did not start as a beer lover but found several beers she enjoyed.

The samples also make the tour feel more educational. You are not simply drinking in three places. You are learning how the products differ and how your own preferences change from one brewery to another. That makes the tour a sensible first introduction to Memphis beer.

Still, I would set reasonable expectations. The information does not specify the number of samples, the beer styles, or whether you receive a full flight at each stop. If you want exact details about portions or available beers, ask before booking. The $58 price is strongest for someone who will taste at all three breweries and values the guided transport.

If you are a non-drinker, the experience may still have some appeal because of the music, stories, history, and social setting. But beer is the central theme, so I would not book it for someone who has no interest in beer at all.

A brew bus with its own Memphis soundtrack

The bus is not just a transfer vehicle. It gives the outing its personality. You travel between the breweries with your own group, a local guide, snacks, and water. That makes the gaps between stops useful rather than dead time.

DJ Ric Chetter of Radio Memphis provides a recorded narration for the ride. It includes beer trivia, beer history, and Memphis indie music. This is a fun detail because it ties the subject of the tour to the city’s music culture without turning the day into a standard music sightseeing trip.

The narration also helps fill in the practical context. You may learn something about beer while looking out at Memphis between stops, then arrive ready to taste the next set of samples. I prefer this kind of audio layer to a nonstop lecture because it keeps the bus ride casual.

The live guide adds another human touch. The guide is there to share anecdotes and keep the mood moving, while the driver handles the route. Recent outings praised both the guide and the transportation specialist, which matters on a tour where the quality of the ride shapes the whole afternoon.

Snacks and water are included. Do not confuse that with a full meal, though. I would eat beforehand, especially if you know alcohol affects you quickly. The supplied details mention snacks, not lunch or dinner.

How the 210-minute schedule feels

Three hundred and? No, this tour lasts 210 minutes, or three hours and 30 minutes. That is long enough to visit three breweries but short enough to fit into a wider Memphis weekend.

The schedule will likely feel active. You move from one location to another, listen on the bus, sample beer, and repeat the pattern. The benefit is variety. The tradeoff is that you may not have a long, leisurely stay at any one brewery.

I would book this as an afternoon or early evening activity rather than as the only event of your day. After the bus returns you to the centrally located meeting point, you can continue your night in Memphis. That final drop-off is useful if you want to pair the tour with dinner, music, or another downtown plan.

Do not build a tight reservation immediately after the tour, however. The experience takes 210 minutes, and real-world timing can shift, especially when several stops and city traffic are involved. The tour operates rain or shine, so bring clothing that suits the forecast and expect the plan to continue even if the weather turns.

What $58 means in practical value

At $58 per person, the price is reasonable for a private brewery outing that includes transportation between three locations. You are paying for more than beer samples. The package includes the local guide, bus transportation, samples at each brewery, snacks, water, and the recorded narration.

If you tried to visit three breweries independently, you would need to arrange transport and decide how much to order at each location. A rideshare plan could become awkward after tastings, and a designated driver would not get the same value from the beer portion. The bus solves that problem in one booking.

The price is particularly fair for a small group celebrating a birthday or reunion. You get a shared activity with a clear structure, and nobody has to worry about navigating from one brewery to the next.

The calculation is less favorable if you mainly want a full meal, large pours, or a long stay at one brewery. Those are not included. You are buying variety, guidance, and convenience rather than a food tour or an all-day beer crawl.

The experience has a rating of 4.7 from six posted ratings, with repeated praise for the guide, driver, brewery selection, and relaxed pace. That is encouraging, but the sample size is small. I would use the rating as a positive signal, not as a promise that every tour will feel identical.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this tour to beer fans who want an easy first look at Memphis breweries. It is also a good fit for groups that value conversation and shared transport more than independent wandering.

The tour suits:

• Friends planning a birthday or weekend outing
• Couples who want a social activity with structure
• Visitors who enjoy sampling rather than ordering one large drink
• People curious about Memphis beyond its best-known music attractions
• Beer drinkers who do not want to drive between breweries
• Mixed groups where some people are new to craft beer

I would be more cautious if you want a detailed technical lesson in brewing. The tour includes behind-the-scenes looks and beer history, but it is presented as a fun local tasting trip, not a certification course.

I would also think twice if your group includes anyone who dislikes beer settings or cannot drink alcohol. The history and music add variety, but the core activity remains brewery visits and beer samples.

Bring a passport, identity card, or driver’s license. You must be 21 or older, and proof of age is part of the practical preparation. Since the tour runs rain or shine, you should also dress for the weather. English is the tour language.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Memphis schedule is still taking shape.

My booking advice

I would book this if you want to taste several Memphis breweries in one relaxed outing and do not need to choose the exact taprooms yourself. The private bus, included samples, local guide, and DJ Ric Chetter’s audio make the experience more complete than simply ordering a beer at one bar.

Before booking, I would confirm the planned breweries if venue choice matters to you. I would also eat first, bring valid identification, and leave room after the 210-minute tour rather than scheduling another fixed event too close to the end.

For a birthday, friend-group outing, or first taste of Memphis craft beer, the $58 price offers solid value. For someone seeking a long technical brewery tour or a full meal, it is the wrong format.

FAQ

How long does the Memphis brewery tour last?

The tour lasts 210 minutes, which is three hours and 30 minutes.

How many breweries does the tour visit?

The tour visits three local Memphis breweries.

Are beer samples included?

Yes. Beer samples are included at each brewery.

Is transportation included?

Yes. You travel between locations on a brew bus reserved for your group.

Are snacks and water provided?

Yes. Snacks and water are included on the bus.

Who leads the tour?

A local English-speaking tour guide leads the experience. DJ Ric Chetter of Radio Memphis provides recorded beer trivia, beer history, and Memphis indie music during the bus rides.

What identification should I bring?

Bring a passport, identity card, or driver’s license. Participants must be at least 21 years old.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine.