Memphis Signature Guided Brewery Tour

Memphis has a beer scene worth meeting. This 3.5-hour tour visits three local breweries with a beer guide, four-beer flights, snacks, and a comfortable ride from The Peabody Memphis. I like the mix of beer education and Memphis history, and I like that you can taste freely without worrying about driving. The main consideration is that the beer stops and sample selections can change, so you should come ready for some surprises.

I also like the small-group feel, with no more than 14 people, and the guide’s friendly, personal approach. Brian is often praised for his humor, local knowledge, and skill at matching beers to different tastes. If you are not a devoted beer drinker, do not rule this out. Several visitors who began with limited interest found styles they enjoyed.

Quick reasons to consider this Memphis brewery tour

• Three distinct brewery stops: Grind City, Wiseacre, and Crosstown each offer a different setting and brewing identity.
• Four beers at each stop: The standard plan includes a flight at every brewery, though the exact beers and schedule may change.
• Brian’s personal guiding style: Expect beer facts, Memphis stories, jokes, and help choosing beers that suit your taste.
• The Flagon Wagon: Private, air-conditioned transportation lets you focus on the samples instead of traffic.
• Small groups: The maximum of 14 people keeps the outing more social and manageable than a large bus tour.
• Good value for a drink-free afternoon: At $69, the price covers transportation, tastings, snacks, water, and guiding.

Starting at The Peabody Memphis

The tour begins at The Peabody Memphis, at 149 Union Avenue. That central starting point is practical if you are staying downtown or already visiting the hotel and nearby sights.

From there, you ride in private, air-conditioned transportation to the breweries. The vehicle is sometimes called the Flagon Wagon, a fitting name for a trip built around sampling beer. The biggest practical benefit is simple: you can drink at three stops without assigning a driver or arranging rides between neighborhoods.

The tour lasts about three hours and 30 minutes. That gives you enough time to settle in at each brewery, taste several beers, ask questions, and move between locations without turning the afternoon into a rushed checklist. The route is a sample schedule, so the order or exact stops may change.

The group limit is 14 people. That is large enough for a lively social outing but small enough for direct conversation with Brian and the brewery staff. On quieter dates, the group may be much smaller. A small booking has even resulted in a nearly private outing, which can make the discussion more relaxed.

Grind City Brewing and Memphis character

The first sample stop is Grind City Brewing Co., located on one of Memphis’s bluffs near the Mississippi River. The brewery occupies the former Tri-State Veneer and Furniture factory, and much of its look comes from that industrial past.

Reused factory materials appear in the tables, walls, bar tops, flight boards, and other parts of the space. I like this kind of setting because it gives you something to notice beyond the beer. You are not simply entering a polished tasting room. You are seeing an old building put back to work while keeping pieces of its earlier life visible.

Grind City also connects its work to Memphis community groups. Its charitable partnerships include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Angel Street, Folds of Honor, and the Streetdog Foundation. That local connection adds useful context to the stop. You get a sense of the brewery as part of the city, not just a business selling pints.

You spend about 45 minutes here, with admission included. The flight lets you compare several styles rather than committing to one full pour. If you normally stick to familiar lagers or light beers, ask Brian to explain the differences before choosing your favorites.

Wiseacre Brewing for bold local flavor

The second stop is Wiseacre Brewing Co. The brewery was founded by brothers Davin and Kellan Bartosch, who drew on brewing experience gathered from around the world before building their operation in Memphis.

Wiseacre’s stated focus is top-quality beer with unusual flavor, education, and good times. That makes this a useful stop for comparing a more experimental or strongly flavored approach with what you tasted at Grind City.

You have about 50 minutes here. That extra time matters because four samples can turn into a quick sensory lesson. Look at color, smell, bitterness, sweetness, and finish. You do not need formal tasting skills. Brian keeps the conversation approachable and can explain what you are drinking in plain terms.

The exact flight can vary. One person may want a crisp, easy beer, while another may prefer something darker or more assertive. The guide has been praised for asking about personal preferences and helping people find beers they might not choose on their own.

One small limitation is worth noting. The standard setup includes flights, but you may not have complete control over every beer in the lineup. If selecting each sample yourself matters to you, ask how the flight works when you arrive. The available choices may depend on what each brewery is pouring that day.

Crosstown Brewing beside a revived urban center

The final scheduled brewery is Crosstown Brewing, founded in 2018 by homebrewer Will Goodwin and Clark Ortkiese. Its location sits beside Crosstown Concourse, the former Sears Crosstown building.

The Sears building was constructed in 1927 and later sat empty before being renovated and reopened as a vertical urban village. Crosstown Concourse now includes shops, restaurants, offices, a grocery store, a YMCA, a high school, and a post office. Crosstown Brewing sits right next to it, giving you a clear example of how old Memphis structures have found new uses.

The brewery’s stated aim is to use beer and good cheer to strengthen the community. That idea fits the setting. You are tasting local beer beside a large redevelopment project that has brought daily activity back to a once-abandoned building.

The stop lasts about 50 minutes. By this point, you will have tasted enough beer to compare the three breweries more clearly. I find that the changing settings are part of the value. Grind City connects to factory reuse and the river bluff. Wiseacre brings a more distinctive brewing identity. Crosstown links beer to neighborhood renewal and urban life.

What Brian adds to the experience

The guide can make or break a tasting tour. Here, Brian receives especially strong praise for being funny, warm, and well prepared. His role is not limited to pouring or naming the breweries. He talks about Memphis, the development of beer, brewing methods, and the stories behind the places you visit.

You may hear everything from basic brewing explanations to odd bits of beer trivia. If Brian does not know the answer to a technical question, he has brought a guest to help explain it, including an actual brewer. That kind of handoff gives the tour a more direct connection to the people making the beer.

I also like the way the tour appears to handle mixed groups. Some people may be serious beer fans. Others may be curious but unsure about craft beer. Brian can adjust the conversation and suggest samples based on your likes and dislikes.

The tone is social rather than academic. Expect jokes, conversation, and a chance to meet other people at the breweries. The guide’s personality is a major part of the outing, so this is best for you if you enjoy an interactive tour instead of quietly tasting on your own.

Four samples at each stop, with snacks along the way

The tour includes alcoholic beverages, snacks, and bottled water. The advertised plan is a flight of four beers at each of the three breweries, for up to 12 samples during the outing. Actual pours can vary with the day’s offerings and schedule.

Some outings have included pizza with the beer. Since snacks are included, you should not treat this as a full meal, but the food is useful when you are tasting several beers over a few hours. Eating something along the way helps keep the experience comfortable.

The tastings are also a good reason to pace yourself. You are not required to finish every sample, and you can ask questions about strength and style before drinking. If you rarely drink beer, tell Brian early. The group experiences show that non-enthusiasts can still have a good time when the samples are matched to their preferences.

The tour is for people age 21 and older. You will need to be prepared to show that you meet the age requirement if asked.

Is $69 a fair price?

The cost is $69 per person. That includes the guide, private transportation, bottled water, snacks, and beer samples at three breweries. To judge the value, compare it with the cost and hassle of arranging several brewery visits on your own.

You would otherwise need a safe driver or several rides, find parking at each location, pay for your own samples, and learn the background of each brewery as you go. The tour combines those tasks into one booking and adds local interpretation.

The value is strongest if you want to taste at all three stops. If you plan to order only one beer at one brewery, the price will feel less attractive. It is also less suited to someone who wants a long meal or a behind-the-scenes production tour, since the focus is on tasting, conversation, and visiting several locations.

The tour is often booked about 42 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every date fills, but it is a useful warning for visitors planning a Memphis trip around a particular weekend. Booking early makes sense if your schedule is fixed.

Who should book this brewery outing?

I would recommend it most strongly for couples, friends, and families with adult children who want an easy social activity beyond Memphis’s headline attractions. It also suits local residents who know the city but have not explored its newer brewery scene.

Beer fans will appreciate the range of stops and the chance to compare brewing approaches. Beginners may like the help choosing samples without needing to understand every style before arriving. The positive experiences from people who did not consider themselves big beer drinkers are especially encouraging.

This is not the best choice if you dislike group activities, prefer to select every drink yourself, or want a long technical tour of brewing equipment. The schedule gives you a useful look at three breweries, but each visit is fairly brief.

The small group helps, though the social side remains part of the design. You will meet people, share a vehicle, and taste in public taproom settings. If that sounds pleasant, the format works well.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience is offered in English with a mobile ticket. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The operator also requires a minimum number of people, so an underfilled departure may be moved or canceled with a different date, another experience, or a full refund offered.

FAQ

Where does the Memphis brewery tour begin?

It begins at The Peabody Memphis, located at 149 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38103.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the meeting point at The Peabody Memphis.

How long does the brewery tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

How many breweries do you visit?

The sample route includes Grind City Brewing Co., Wiseacre Brewing Co., and Crosstown Brewing.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 14 people.

What age do you need to be?

You must be at least 21 years old to join this experience.

Should you book the Memphis Signature Guided Brewery Tour?

Book it if you want Memphis beer with context, conversation, and safe transportation between three very different breweries. The strongest reasons are Brian’s personal guiding style, the small group size, the included tastings and snacks, and the chance to see brewery spaces tied to factory reuse, creative brewing, and neighborhood renewal.

I would skip it only if you want a self-guided tasting, a full meal, or a highly technical brewery tour. For most adults who enjoy trying local drinks and learning a little along the way, $69 is a fair price for a relaxed half-day introduction to Memphis craft beer.