Memphis: 3 Local Breweries Bus Tour with Tastings

Memphis is famous for blues and barbecue, but this three-brewery bus tour gives you another reason to pay attention to the city: its local beer. You ride between breweries instead of worrying about driving, sample beers at each stop, and get a look at how different brewers work.

I like the mix of tastings and behind-the-scenes access, since this is more useful than simply sitting at one taproom. I also like the moving soundtrack, with DJ Ric Chetter’s beer trivia, brewing history, and Memphis indie music playing on the bus. The main drawback is simple: at $58, the value depends on how much you enjoy beer, and anyone hoping for a full meal or a long stop at each brewery may find the 210-minute schedule brisk.

Key points to know

• Three breweries in one outing: Compare local beers and brewery styles without arranging separate rides.
• A private group experience: You travel with your own group and a local guide on a comfortable brew bus.
• DJ Ric Chetter’s narration: Beer facts, brewing history, and Memphis indie music fill the ride between stops.
• Samples at every brewery: Each location includes beer tastings, with a chance to find a style you may not expect to like.
• Snacks and water included: Helpful on a tasting tour, though this is not presented as a full food tour.
• Central return point: You are dropped back at a central meeting location so you can continue your evening in Memphis.

Three Memphis breweries without the driving

The best idea here is the bus itself. A brewery tour can become awkward when one person has to stay sober and everyone has to navigate unfamiliar streets. This setup keeps the group together and lets you focus on the beer, the stories, and the city passing outside the windows.

The tour lasts 210 minutes, or three and a half hours. That gives you enough time to visit three breweries, but it also means the schedule will keep moving. You should expect a tasting-focused introduction to each place rather than a long afternoon spent in one taproom.

The experience is private for you and your group. That matters if you are marking a birthday, planning a casual night out, or simply want a more relaxed ride than a large public coach. A guide accompanies you, and a driver handles the road while you move from one brewery to the next.

The breweries themselves are not named in the supplied details, so you should treat the route as a local introduction rather than a fixed list of famous beer destinations. The appeal is comparing three Memphis stops in one outing, not checking off a particular brand.

What happens at the three brewery stops

Each brewery includes beer samples, and the point of visiting three locations is comparison. One stop might appeal to you for its beer, another for its atmosphere, and a third for the way it explains the brewing process. Since the exact beer menus and tour order can change, I would avoid booking with one specific style in mind.

The behind-the-scenes element adds value. You are not only handed a flight and sent back to your seat. You get a look at how different local brewers make their beer, which can help you understand why the same basic ingredients produce such different results.

The available details do not specify the size of the samples, the length of each stop, or the exact brewing areas you will enter. Keep that in mind when setting expectations. This is a guided tasting outing with brewery access, not a full technical brewing course.

You may also find that the three breweries have different personalities. One could feel more production-focused, while another may have a more social taproom feel. The tour works best when you let those contrasts guide your evening instead of trying to judge every stop by the same measure.

For non-beer drinkers, the brewery visits may still have some interest. One booking included a person who did not usually enjoy beer but still found styles to like and appreciated the history and brewing explanations. That does not guarantee the same result for you, but it suggests the tour is not built only for serious beer fans.

A brew bus with its own Memphis soundtrack

The ride between breweries is part of the experience, not dead time. DJ Ric Chetter of Radio Memphis provides recorded narration with beer trivia, beer history, and local Memphis indie music. That gives the bus a clear sense of place and keeps the outing tied to Memphis rather than making it feel like a generic brewery shuttle.

I like this detail because three brewery visits can otherwise blur together. A little context between stops helps you remember what you tasted and why the city’s beer culture is worth exploring alongside its better-known music scene.

The guide adds live conversation and anecdotes, while DJ Ric Chetter’s recording provides structure during the drive. The supplied information does not name the live guide or driver, so you should not expect a particular host by name. Past bookings specifically praised the guide and driver, and that suggests the people running the tour play a large part in its success.

The bus includes snacks and water. That is useful, especially when you are tasting several beers over a few hours, but do not confuse it with lunch or dinner. If you need a substantial meal, plan one before or after the tour. The central drop-off makes it easy to continue your night out, though no restaurant pairing is included.

Why the private format matters

A private bus for your group changes the tone. You can settle into the ride without trying to make conversation with a large crowd, and a birthday group or group of friends can treat the tour as its own evening plan.

The private format may also make it easier to ask questions. If you want to know why one beer tastes bitter, how fermentation changes the flavor, or what makes a local brewery different from another, you have a guide nearby rather than relying only on printed tasting notes.

That said, private does not mean fully flexible. You are still following a 210-minute route with three planned brewery visits. The supplied information does not promise that you can choose the breweries, change the timing, or extend a stop. Book this for a guided route, not an open-ended crawl.

The bus also removes the need to coordinate several rides across Memphis. That is a real part of the $58 value. You are paying for transport, a guide, tastings at three locations, snacks, water, and a planned local experience in one package.

Is $58 a fair price?

At $58 per person, this is reasonably priced if you want a structured evening and would otherwise need separate transport between three breweries. The cost covers the guide, the bus, samples at every stop, snacks, and water. You also get the time-saving benefit of having the route arranged for you.

The price is less compelling if you plan to visit only one brewery, already have a designated driver, or mainly want a full meal with your drinks. This is not advertised as a food tour, and the included snacks are meant to support the tasting rather than replace dinner.

I would also compare the price with the cost of a rideshare between three locations, then add the price of your beer samples. The tour bundles those pieces and removes the driving problem. For a birthday or group outing, that convenience can matter more than saving a few dollars.

The tour’s value also depends on how open you are to different beer styles. You may love all three stops, or you may find only one or two beers that suit you. The tasting format reduces that risk because you can compare before committing to a full pour.

Who should book this Memphis beer tour?

This is a good fit for adults who want a social introduction to Memphis breweries without planning the route themselves. It suits couples, friend groups, birthday outings, and visitors who have already explored the main music sights and want a different side of the city.

It is also a smart choice for people who like learning while they drink. The guide’s anecdotes, the brewery access, and the recorded beer facts make this more than a ride from bar to bar.

You do not need to be a beer expert. The tasting setup gives you room to try unfamiliar styles, and the brewery stories add interest even if beer is not your main passion. Still, you should enjoy at least some beer, since the central activity at all three stops is sampling local brews.

This is not suitable for anyone under 21. You will need a passport, ID card, or driver’s license, and the tour is conducted in English. The tour operates rain or shine, so dress for the forecast and do not count on poor weather canceling the outing.

Practical timing and planning advice

The tour lasts three and a half hours, but you should allow extra time around it for getting to the central meeting point and deciding what to do afterward. The return is to a centrally located meeting point, which is useful if you want to continue your Memphis evening.

Starting times vary, so check the available time before you build dinner or a show around it. Since the exact brewery order is not supplied, avoid booking a tight reservation immediately after the tour.

Eat a light meal before you go if you know beer affects you quickly. Snacks and water are included, but a few small bites are not a substitute for dinner. Drinking water during the ride is a simple way to make the long tasting session more comfortable.

Bring valid identification. Even if you look well over 21, the tour requires an ID document, and the accepted options listed are a passport, ID card, or driver’s license.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Memphis schedule is still taking shape. Those policies are useful, but I would still check the final start time and meeting details before booking.

What the strongest parts of the experience are

The most praised elements are the guide, the driver, and the overall feel of the outing. One birthday booking found the experience enjoyable even for a family member who was not a beer drinker. That points to the tour’s broader appeal: the local stories, brewery access, music, and group atmosphere share the stage with the drinks.

The individual brewery personalities are another strong point. You are not visiting three identical bars. The charm comes from seeing how each place presents its beer and how each brewing operation has its own character.

The tour also seems well suited to celebrations. A birthday group can enjoy the private ride without having to organize a route, and the central drop-off lets you keep the night going afterward.

The weak point is the limited detail about the exact route. If you want to know the three brewery names before you pay, confirm that information with the operator. The supplied details promise three local breweries, but do not identify them or describe the order of visits.

Should you book the three-brewery tour?

Book it if you want an easy, social way to sample Memphis beer and you value transport, local commentary, and a planned route. The $58 price makes sense for a group that wants three tastings without assigning a driver, and the private bus is especially useful for birthdays and small celebrations.

Skip it if you want a long stay at one brewery, a full meal, or a highly technical brewing class. You should also pass if you are not 21 or if beer is only a minor interest for you.

For most adults who want to add a local beer night to a Memphis visit, this is a practical choice. You get three brewery perspectives, live hosting, DJ Ric Chetter’s Memphis-themed narration, and enough time afterward to continue your evening downtown.

FAQ

How long does the Memphis brewery tour last?

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

How many breweries does the tour visit?

You visit three local Memphis breweries.

Are beer tastings included?

Yes. Beer samples are included at each brewery.

Is transportation included?

Yes. You travel between the breweries on a brew bus, with a driver handling the transportation.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The experience is described as a private tour for you and your group.

What else is included on the bus?

Snacks and water are included during the bus ride.

Who provides the beer narration and music?

DJ Ric Chetter of Radio Memphis provides recorded narration with beer trivia, beer history, and Memphis indie music.

Can people under 21 join the tour?

No. The tour is not suitable for anyone under 21. You must bring a passport, ID card, or driver’s license.