NON BUS MOVIE STARS Traverse City Brewery And Distillery Tour

Three stops, one polished ride, plenty to taste. The Movie Stars Brewery and Distillery Tour takes you around downtown Traverse City and three local drink spots in a cooled GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban. I like the small-group feel and the wide drink range, from lagers and slushies to whiskey, gin, vodka, wine, and cider. I also like that the tour begins and ends downtown, so you can enjoy Traverse City without driving after drinking.

The main drawback is that the $99 price does not include food, full pours, growlers, bottles, or souvenir glasses. You receive samples or splashes, but serious beer fans may spend more at the stops. Afternoon traffic can also complicate hotel pickup and drop-off outside downtown.

Key points at a glance

• Three 50-minute stops: Silver Spruce Brewing Company, Earthen Ales, and The Workshop Brewing Company each offer a different take on Traverse City’s drink scene.
• A luxury SUV instead of a party bus: The tour uses GMC Yukons or Chevrolet Suburbans and limits the total group to 20 people.
• Beer is only part of the picture: You can sample lagers, IPAs, stouts, ciders, wine, beer slushies, whiskey, vodka, gin, and mixed drinks.
• Downtown pickup keeps things simple: Meet at the Hardy Street Parking Structure, near the State Street entrance and MiddleCoast Brewing Company.
• A good fit for mixed groups: Beer fans, wine drinkers, spirits drinkers, and people who want food with their drinks can all find something at The Workshop.
• Tracey earned special praise: One highly positive account specifically credits Tracey with making a brewery and distillery outing fun, and the company also mentions Magic Mike and his team.

What this Traverse City drink tour is really like

This is a half-day tasting outing built around convenience. You meet in downtown Traverse City, climb into a private-feeling SUV, and let a local guide handle the driving between three stops.

The tour lasts about four to five hours. Each listed stop allows roughly 50 minutes, with time between locations for the drive around downtown Traverse City and nearby areas. That pace gives you enough time to sample, order a snack, and look around without turning the day into a rushed tasting marathon.

I like the way the tour avoids the usual party-bus setup. The company specifically uses luxury SUVs rather than an old bus, and groups of six or seven will most likely have their own vehicle. Smaller parties are combined, so you should expect a social outing rather than a fully private tour.

The total capacity is 20 people. That is large enough to create a lively group but still more manageable than a big coach. The vehicle is air-conditioned, an important detail during a warm Michigan afternoon.

The company is operated by former law enforcement and describes itself as friendly to law enforcement, first responders, and military personnel. Guides are local Traverse City drink enthusiasts, with the owner identified as a University of Michigan graduate and some guides connected with Michigan State, Grand Valley State, and Wayne State University.

Starting downtown at the Hardy Street Parking Structure

The official meeting point is 303 East State Street, but the pickup instructions narrow that down to the east side of the Hardy Street Parking Structure, near the State Street entrance and across from the Park Place Hotel. Look for the luxury GMC Yukons or Cadillac Escalades.

That location matters. You do not have to find a distant park-and-ride lot or drive your own car to a remote starting point. You can stay downtown before the tour, grab coffee or breakfast, and walk to the pickup area.

For a group staying downtown, the company may arrange pickup at some local downtown locations. Contact the operator by email or text with your location. If you are staying outside the downtown core, day-tour pickup at a local hotel may sometimes be possible, but it is not guaranteed.

Plan carefully if your hotel is outside town. Afternoon traffic gets heavy, and the normal drop-off after a day tour is downtown Traverse City. The practical move is to enjoy dinner downtown while traffic clears, then use an Uber or hotel shuttle later. Afternoon and sunset tours may offer hotel drop-off after the outing, but you should still arrive downtown early by shuttle or rideshare.

Silver Spruce Brewing Company: polished lagers and classic beer styles

Silver Spruce is the first stop, with about 50 minutes set aside. It opened in 2018 and is known for its lager program, making this a useful opening stop for anyone who enjoys clean, traditional beer.

The tasting range is broad. Depending on what is available, you may sample lagers, pilsners, dunkels, IPAs, and stouts. Wine drinkers are not forgotten, with Pinot Grigio and Malbec also available.

This stop sounds especially appealing if you prefer beer with a clear style identity. A pilsner offers something different from a dark dunkel, while an IPA or stout gives you a stronger contrast. The range allows a mixed group to order according to taste rather than forcing everyone into one beer style.

You can buy sample platters, individual glasses, and growlers. Those purchases cost extra, and they are not part of the $99 tour price. If you want a larger amount to take home, this is one of the places where you can add a growler or bottle to the day.

The 50-minute window is enough for a tasting and a short break, but it is not designed for lingering over a full meal. Consider eating before the tour or saving your main meal for later. The tour includes no food.

Earthen Ales: Sunday small batches and beer slushies

Earthen Ales changes the mood. Brewing began here in 2016, with a focus on small batches and experimentation. A new small batch is tapped every Sunday, so the selection can change from one visit to the next.

That changing menu is part of the appeal. You are not simply moving from one standard tap list to another. You might find a more unusual beer, a new test batch, or something that is not available at the other stops.

Earthen Ales also serves ciders and beer slushies. The slushies give this stop a lighter, more playful angle, especially for people who are not devoted to traditional beer. Cider also provides an easy alternative for anyone who wants something fruitier or less hop-forward.

Food is flexible here. You can bring your own food or buy a snack at the bar. That makes this a useful place to add something small during the 50-minute visit, though you should still check what is available when you arrive.

The tradeoff is unpredictability. Experimental brewing means the menu may not match your usual preferences. That is part of the point, but people who want a specific beer style should be ready to try something different.

The Workshop Brewing Company: the broadest drink menu

The Workshop is likely to be the most useful stop for a group with mixed tastes. It combines craft beer, food, wine, cider, spirits, mixed drinks, and live entertainment in a setting built around local ingredients and community.

For beer drinkers, there is a full line of choices. You can also find whiskey, vodka, gin, mixed drinks, cider, and wine. That gives the tour a true brewery-and-distillery feel, even though the listed route is made up of breweries rather than a separate distillery facility.

The Workshop also serves food made with ingredients sourced as locally and organically as possible. That matters because three tastings over several hours are easier to manage with something to eat. Food is not included, so budget separately if you plan to order a meal or snack.

Live entertainment is offered six nights a week, although the tour details do not specify which nights or what type of performance is scheduled. Treat it as a possible bonus, not a guaranteed part of your visit.

The 50-minute stop goes quickly here. You may need to choose between a longer food order, several drink samples, and entertainment. If your priority is tasting spirits, focus on that. If you want a meal, allow time for the kitchen and do not expect to try every drink on the menu.

What the $99 price buys you

At $99 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit a brewery. You could order drinks at one location for less, especially if you are not interested in transportation or a guided route.

The value improves when you use the service for what it is designed to do: visit three stops without driving, sample several kinds of drinks, and let a local guide manage the route. You are paying for transportation in an air-conditioned luxury SUV, a guide, and a structured half-day outing.

Samples or splashes are available on the tour. The wording does not promise a fixed number or size, so do not assume that the price includes full glasses at every stop. Glasses, bottles, growlers, and food are extra.

For a group of six or seven, the value may be stronger because you will most likely have your own vehicle. Smaller groups may share with other people, which lowers the private feel but can make the trip more social.

Group discounts are offered, though the available discount details are not specified. Ask about current group pricing before booking if you are arranging a larger party.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to sample several Traverse City breweries without assigning a sober driver. It also works well for a group with uneven drink preferences, since The Workshop adds spirits, wine, cider, and mixed drinks to the beer-focused route.

It is a good option for couples who want a guided afternoon and for groups celebrating a birthday, reunion, or special weekend. The SUV setup feels more polished than a party bus, and the downtown pickup makes the day easier to organize.

Beer enthusiasts who prefer one brewery and long taproom visits may find the schedule too short. Each stop receives about 50 minutes, so this is a sampler rather than a serious study of any one brewery.

You should also think about your food plans. Since no food is included, have a meal before departure, bring food where allowed, or plan to eat at The Workshop. Drinking on an empty stomach makes a four to five-hour outing less comfortable.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

Confirmation arrives when you book, and the tour is offered in English. Mobile tickets are available, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the provided details do not give specific vehicle accessibility information, so contact the operator if that is important for your plans.

The tour can be canceled for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Cutoff times use local Traverse City time.

This experience is often reserved well ahead, with an average booking time of 34 days before departure. That suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your schedule is fixed, especially for a weekend or a larger group.

One especially positive account credits Tracey with making a brewery and distillery tour fun. The company also refers to Magic Mike and his team, so names may vary by departure. If you have a preferred guide or are returning for another outing, ask whether that person is scheduled.

Should you book the Movie Stars Brewery and Distillery Tour?

Book it if you want a comfortable, no-driving route through Traverse City’s beer and drink scene. The best parts are the luxury SUV, downtown pickup, three distinct stops, and the broad menu at The Workshop. Silver Spruce is a strong choice for classic beer styles, while Earthen Ales adds experimentation, cider, and beer slushies.

Skip it if you want full pours, a long stay at each brewery, or a tour price that covers meals and purchases. The $99 cost is fair for guided transportation and tastings, but your final bill will rise if you add food, glasses, bottles, or growlers.

For most people, this is a convenient introduction to Traverse City’s local drink culture, with enough variety to keep a mixed group happy. Plan your pickup carefully, eat something, and treat the included tastings as a starting point rather than an all-you-can-drink package.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to five hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $99 per person.

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is at the Hardy Street Parking Structure on the east side near the State Street entrance, across from the Park Place Hotel. The listed meeting address is 303 East State Street, Traverse City.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the downtown meeting point.

Which breweries are included?

The route includes Silver Spruce Brewing Company, Earthen Ales, and The Workshop Brewing Company.

Are tastings included?

Samples or splashes are available during the tour. Full glasses, bottles, growlers, souvenir glasses, and food cost extra.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, though you can bring your own food or buy a snack at Earthen Ales, and The Workshop offers food.

What kinds of drinks are available?

You may find lagers, pilsners, dunkels, IPAs, stouts, ciders, beer slushies, wine, whiskey, vodka, gin, and mixed drinks.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people. Groups of six or seven will most likely have their own vehicle.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.