Memphis Brew Bus Tour with Three Local Breweries & Tastings

Need beer in a hurry? This Memphis Brew Bus Tour lines up three craft breweries with tastings and private rides, so you can focus on the fun part. You meet downtown at 552 S Main St and roll between stops without worrying about parking or drinking and driving.

I love the side-by-side tasting setup—different breweries, different styles, and you get enough samples to make real comparisons. I also like how the experience is handled with snacks and bottled water to keep the afternoon steady, plus a guide who helps you navigate the scene and enjoy it safely.

One consideration: the tour is listed around 3 hours 30 minutes, but a couple of scheduling hiccups can push you close to 4 hours. If you’ve got dinner reservations or an evening show, give yourself some buffer.

Key highlights before you go

• Three-brew tasting format: You’ll compare beers across multiple spots, not just one quick stop.
• Downtown meeting point: 552 S Main St is the anchor, and the tour ends back there.
• Private transportation included: No hauling a designated driver role all afternoon.
• Small group size: Max of 20 travelers keeps it easier to hear the guide and move as a unit.
• Real variety at the last stop: The final brewery often brings the widest mix, including sours.
• Guide personality matters: Friendly, attentive guides (including Damon in one standout write-up) can make the day feel social, not scripted.

Memphis Brew Bus Tour: a clean way to sample the city’s beer scene

If your Memphis plan includes craft beer, this tour is built for the “I want the highlights without the hassle” crowd. You’re not piecing together rides, figuring out which neighborhoods are walkable, or trying to stay on schedule while your group does its own thing.

Instead, you get a structured beer hop: three local breweries, tastings at each stop, and snacks and water along the way. The vibe is casual but organized—exactly what you want when you’re spending an afternoon drinking and learning a little at the same time.

Price and value: why $64.75 can work (if you drink in moderation)

At $64.75 per person for about 3.5 hours, the value is less about getting cheap beer and more about what’s bundled with it: transportation, guides, and tastings. If you were doing this on your own, you’d still pay for rides (or risk using ride-share), then add tasting costs, then pay for someone to steer the experience.

Here’s the practical math of it: you’re paying for a day that removes logistics. That matters a lot when you’re planning around brewery hours and you don’t want to spend your whole trip arguing about where to go next.

Also, the tour includes beverages, snacks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages—so you’re not walking into each stop asking, what exactly am I supposed to buy to make it worth it? You’ll be offered tastings as part of the experience.

Downtown pickup at 552 S Main St, then back again

Your day starts at 552 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103, with a 2:00 pm start time. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, so you’re not stuck figuring out transit after the last pour.

This is a smart setup for visitors because it keeps your day simple. You can build your earlier afternoon around downtown—then let the tour handle the “moving parts.” It’s also nice if you’re meeting friends for dinner nearby afterward, because you don’t need to chase a pickup far away.

The group is capped at 20 travelers, which generally helps the whole experience feel more like a coordinated afternoon than a cattle-car crawl.

How the tour keeps you on track (and where it can slip)

The schedule is designed to make this feel relaxed: you meet, you ride, you taste, you snack, repeat. And the best part is that you don’t have to drive, which makes the whole thing safer and less stressful.

That said, one caution comes from a real-world issue: a couple of reports mention the tour running almost 4 hours instead of the shorter estimate. Another mentioned a first brewery stop that didn’t go as expected with guidance.

So my advice is simple: treat the listed time as a guide, not a promise. If you’re heading to a show, make sure you’ve got wiggle room. Beer is fun—rushing is not.

Stop One: getting oriented at the first brewery tasting

The first stop is your “set the tone” moment. You’ll arrive, you’ll taste, and you’ll start learning how the brewery thinks about flavor—whether that’s crisp lagers, hop-forward choices, or something more playful.

What you can count on is the structure: you’re not just walking in blind. There’s a driver/guide and a local guide to help you navigate the brewery experience and keep the group together.

One detail to be aware of: in at least one instance, the opening stop didn’t have the level of guided attention expected. That doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy the beer—it just means you might need to be a bit more flexible about how the first stop feels.

Stop Two: the fun part—comparing styles across breweries

Stop two is where the tour starts to feel like a real comparison. After the first tasting, you’re already picking up on differences: bitterness levels, carbonation, malt feel, and whether you’re drifting toward fruity or sour options.

This is where a lot of non–die-hard beer people end up having the best time. One review pointed out that the tour’s fruitier/sour choices worked well even for someone who usually isn’t a big beer drinker. That’s a great sign for you if your taste runs toward lighter flavors rather than heavy bitterness.

The biggest advantage here is that you taste more than one brewery’s approach. Instead of locking in on one “favorite bar beer,” you’re learning what Memphis brewers are doing across different styles.

Stop Three: where variety and sours often steal the show

The final stop often gets the best reactions for a reason: it’s frequently the one with the biggest range. One write-up specifically called out the last brewery for offering a large variety of beers and sours.

This matters because it’s your last chance to chase what you actually liked earlier. If your first tastes were too hoppy, the last stop is where you can steer toward something calmer. If you discovered you love tangy sours, you’ll likely have more options to pick from.

Also, if you’re traveling with people who don’t all like the same styles, the last stop can be the peace treaty. More choice tends to reduce the odds that someone feels left out.

As for specific breweries: Ghost River shows up in the feedback as a top pick. I can’t promise every run includes the same three names, but if Ghost River is one of your scheduled stops, you can expect fans for good reason.

Guides, friendliness, and the small-group feel

A strong tour guide can turn a “drink tour” into a Memphis afternoon. The feedback around guides is consistently positive—helpful, friendly, and genuinely interested in making sure you enjoy each stop.

In one standout review, a guide named Damon was called out for being awesome. Another review highlighted the operators as personal and fun, and that kind of vibe matters when you’re meeting new people at the same time.

With a maximum of 20 travelers, it’s also easier to ask questions and get answers. You’re not yelling across a bus aisle. You can actually hear what’s going on, and your questions about beer styles or brewery quirks don’t get swallowed by the crowd.

What to expect from tastings, snacks, and the overall flow

This is not an endless-drinking free-for-all. It’s a paced experience with snacks, bottled water, and guided tastings. That combination helps keep your day enjoyable even if you’re having a few pours.

The tour includes alcoholic beverages, and it’s clearly aimed at people who are 21 and up (more on that below). But the snacks and water are a practical plus if you want to keep your energy up and stay sharp for conversation and photos.

Also, the experience is listed with confirmation at booking, which helps reduce the “is this actually happening?” worry.

Practical tips to get the best beer afternoon

You’ll enjoy this more if you treat it like a tasting class mixed with social time. Here are a few move-smart tips:

• Eat before you go. You’ll have snacks on tour, but arriving hungry is a fast track to regret.
• Go for variety, not the biggest pour. Tastings are about comparison—try a couple styles even if you’re not sure you’ll love them.
• Hydrate and slow down between stops. Water is included, but you still have to drink it.
• If you’re a sour or fruit fan, say so early. Guides can often steer you toward what’s available.
• Plan your evening with a buffer. Since a run can stretch close to 4 hours, don’t schedule your next big thing too tightly.

And if you’re celebrating something—birthdays, anniversaries, a big milestone—this kind of guided structure is also a nice way to feel safe and cared for without losing the fun.

Who this tour is best for (and who should think twice)

This tour fits best if you want craft beer plus convenience. It’s ideal for:

• Couples and friends who want a shared activity with built-in laughs
• Solo travelers who like meeting people, not just sitting in a tasting room
• Beer beginners who want guidance and tastings that go beyond one safe choice
• Designated-driver–avoiders who’d rather pay for transport than manage rides all afternoon

Think twice if:

• You need a very tight schedule with zero wiggle room
• You dislike group settings, even when the group is small
• You’re looking for deep brewery technical tours. This is more about tasting, comparison, and experience flow than a lab-style explanation.

Should you book the Memphis Brew Bus Tour?

I’d book it if your main goal is a stress-free Memphis beer afternoon that hits multiple breweries and keeps you out of the driving seat. The price makes sense when you factor in transport, guides, snacks, and tastings, and the consistently high rating suggests it’s usually smooth and fun.

I’d hesitate only if your itinerary is rigid. Build in buffer time for dinner or shows, and you’ll be fine.

If you’re spending a day in Memphis anyway, this is one of those activities that turns “we’ll see what’s around” into a real plan—one where you get to taste, compare, and enjoy the city’s brew momentum without the logistics headache.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Memphis Brew Bus Tour?

The tour runs about 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $64.75 per person.

Where do I meet for the tour, and where does it end?

You meet at 552 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103, USA, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 2:00 pm.

What is the minimum age to join?

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

What group size should I expect?

This activity has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience starts, the amount paid is not refunded.