Brewery Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour of Nashville

Nashville’s best beer stops are scattered beyond the honky-tonks of Broadway, and this hop-on, hop-off trolley gives you a simple way to reach them without putting one person behind the wheel. You can visit all six brewery stops, skip a few, or spend more time at the places that suit your group.

I like the freedom to set your own pace, and I like the trolley itself: climate-controlled, comfortable, and more sociable than a series of rideshares. Guides such as Trevor, Mel, and Randy add music, local suggestions, and plenty of personality. The main catch is that this is not a behind-the-scenes brewing lesson. You are visiting breweries and buying your own drinks, not touring production rooms or learning the full brewing process.

Key points to know

• Six brewery stops in one day: Visit Honeytree Meadery, TailGate Brewery East Nashville, Southern Grist, East Nashville Beer Works, Bearded Iris, and Monday Night Brewing.
• A flexible six-hour outing: Get off and back on throughout the day, and skip stops if you are full, tired, or simply not interested.
• A useful break from Broadway: The route takes you to East Nashville and other beer spots away from the main downtown strip.
• No designated driver needed: The trolley handles the driving between stops, though you may need an Uber from the final stop if you stay there.
• Food is part of the appeal: TailGate is especially useful for pizza, while other stops offer food options as well.
• Pace yourself: Six breweries can be a lot. Water, food, and restraint will make the day far more enjoyable.

Six Nashville beer stops without the Broadway shuffle

This tour is best understood as a moving brewery pass, not a traditional guided brewery tour. You board near the 5th Avenue side of the Omni Nashville Hotel at noon, then ride between six locations selected for variety.

That distinction matters. If you want to see brewing equipment, hear about fermentation, or follow a guide through a working production space, this may not be the right choice. The guide can suggest what to try and explain what makes each stop worth visiting, but the main activity is tasting and socializing.

If you want an easy way to compare several Nashville beer rooms in one afternoon, the format works well. You can order a pint, flight, cocktail, mead, or seltzer where available, then return to the trolley when you are ready for the next stop. The day feels less rigid than a standard group tour because you are not forced to spend the same amount of time at every location.

The experience is also social. You ride with other beer fans, and the trolley creates a shared rhythm: board, chat, listen to music, explore a new place, then meet back up. That can be a lot of fun for friends, couples, and birthday groups. It may be less appealing if you want a quiet, private outing.

Starting at the Omni Nashville Hotel

The meeting point is on the 5th Avenue side of the Omni Nashville Hotel. The scheduled start time is 12:00 p.m., so plan to arrive with enough time to find the correct side of the building and settle in before departure.

The location is practical for anyone staying downtown, but the real advantage comes after boarding. Instead of arranging separate rides across Nashville, you can settle into the trolley and let the route connect the stops.

The trolley is described as vintage and climate-controlled. That gives you a more memorable ride than a plain shuttle while still offering protection from Nashville’s changing weather. The vehicle also keeps the group together, which helps create the party atmosphere that many people enjoy on this outing.

Pickup and drop-off times are posted on the back of the driver’s seat, according to one detailed account. Pay attention to them. The tour is flexible, but it is not an open-ended taxi service. If you linger too long at one stop, you may miss the next trolley.

Honeytree Meadery adds something different

Honeytree Meadery gives the route a useful change of pace. Mead is made from honey rather than the grain-based method used for beer, so this stop broadens the tasting menu beyond Nashville’s craft breweries.

You may find meads that are sweeter, fruitier, or simply unlike what you have ordered at a beer hall. That makes Honeytree a good stop for anyone who wants to try something new. It also gives your group an alternative if one person is not especially interested in standard beer.

This is one of the stops you can skip. Some people prefer to focus on beer, while others appreciate the change. The hop-on format lets you make that call without losing the whole tour.

TailGate Brewery East Nashville is the food stop to remember

TailGate Brewery East Nashville is repeatedly singled out for its pizza, making it one of the most useful stops for a full afternoon of drinking. One strong piece of practical advice is simple: plan to eat here, especially if you want something substantial before continuing.

Food is not a small detail on a brewery route. Six stops can turn into a long day, and drinking on an empty stomach will catch up with you quickly. TailGate gives you a chance to slow down, order a meal, and reset before the next round.

The brewery itself adds variety to the route, but the exact beer lineup can change. Flights are a smart choice if you want to sample several styles without committing to a full pour. You can also skip a drink at one stop and focus on food.

Southern Grist brings another East Nashville beer room

Southern Grist is one of the East Nashville stops and helps make the route more than a single brewery crawl. The value here comes from comparison. Instead of spending the entire afternoon in one taproom, you can see how different Nashville producers approach their beer selections and spaces.

Order thoughtfully. A flight lets you sample more while keeping portions under control, and it is a better fit for a day with several planned stops. If you already feel the effects of the earlier breweries, this is a good point to switch to water or a nonalcoholic option if offered.

The trolley makes this stop easier to include because you do not need to find parking or arrange a separate ride across town. That convenience is the core reason to book the tour.

East Nashville Beer Works keeps the route local

East Nashville Beer Works continues the focus on the city’s neighborhood breweries. The experience is less about ticking off famous names and more about seeing places you might not reach during a standard downtown Nashville visit.

That is one of the strongest features of the day. Broadway is easy to find, but this tour points you toward a different side of the city. You get a glimpse of Nashville’s local beer culture without having to plan a route through unfamiliar areas.

As with the other stops, you are responsible for your purchases. The tour price covers the trolley experience, not unlimited beer or meals. Keep that in mind when comparing the $36 ticket with the full cost of the day.

Bearded Iris offers another chance to sample flights

Bearded Iris Brewing is another stop where a flight can make sense. Several people have found that sampling smaller pours at each location gives them a better overview of Nashville beer than ordering one large drink at every brewery.

The stop also fits the tour’s broader purpose: show you several different places and let you decide which ones deserve more of your time. You may discover a favorite brewery, or you may decide that four stops are enough.

The hop-on system is especially useful here. You do not have to pretend every stop interests you equally. If your group wants to stay at Bearded Iris, stay. If you have had enough, board the next trolley or end the brewery portion of your day.

Monday Night Brewing closes the main route

Monday Night Brewing, also identified as Preservation Co., is the final listed brewery stop. It gives you one last chance to order a beer, food, or another drink before calling it a day.

This is where planning matters most. If you remain at the final stop rather than riding back with the trolley, arrange your onward transportation. A ride by Uber may be needed from the last pub, so do not assume the brewery route returns you automatically to the Omni.

Ending at a brewery can be convenient if you want to continue your evening nearby, but it can also make the final logistics less tidy. Check the return details with your driver and keep your phone charged.

What the guides add to the experience

The driver can make or break a group outing, and the strongest part of this tour is often the person at the wheel. Trevor is frequently praised for his music choices, brewery suggestions, safe driving, and easy manner with groups. Mel is described as energetic, funny, and flexible when helping a group decide what sort of day it wants. Randy is also praised for recommendations.

These guides do more than move you from point to point. They help you decide where to spend your time, explain the character of the stops, and keep the ride lively. You might get local tips that are useful for the rest of your Nashville stay.

Still, the guide’s role has limits. You should not expect a formal lecture at every brewery or a detailed account of how each beer is produced. The tour is guided transportation with local context, not a technical brewing seminar.

Is $36 a good value?

At $36 per person, the tour is fairly priced if you plan to visit several breweries and would otherwise need multiple rideshares. The cost buys you access to a full afternoon of transportation, a climate-controlled trolley, and the freedom to choose your stops.

The value improves for groups. Splitting rides among friends can work, but separate cars, parking, traffic, and a designated driver create hassles. Here, everyone can participate in the tasting, though you still need to drink responsibly.

The ticket does not cover beer, mead, food, or cocktails. Those purchases can add up quickly, especially if you visit all six stops. Think of the $36 as the transportation and hosted route cost, not the final price of the day.

You can also improve the value by avoiding unnecessary drinks. Order flights, share food, drink water, and skip stops that do not interest you. The tour does not reward speed. It rewards good choices.

How to pace a six-hour brewery day

The biggest practical risk is trying to conquer every stop at full speed. Six breweries in roughly six hours sounds manageable until you add boarding time, food, flights, conversation, and the alcohol itself.

I would treat the route as a menu, not a challenge. Pick three or four priority stops, then use the rest of the day as it unfolds. If you feel good, continue. If you are tired, stay longer at one place or stop early.

Use these simple habits:

• Eat early, with TailGate a strong option for pizza.
• Drink water throughout the afternoon.
• Choose flights instead of full pours when possible.
• Keep track of trolley times.
• Do not assume you need to visit every stop.
• Plan your ride home if you finish at Monday Night Brewing.

The tour is more enjoyable when you remember that the goal is to experience Nashville’s brewery scene, not to collect six drinks.

Who will enjoy this trolley most?

This outing suits friends who want a relaxed drinking day without assigning a driver. It also works well for couples, birthday groups, and anyone who wants to meet other people while exploring neighborhoods away from Broadway.

Craft beer fans will appreciate the chance to compare several locations. Mead drinkers have a reason to include Honeytree. Food-focused groups can build in a meal at TailGate and use the other stops for tastings.

Families can technically participate, since most people can take part and service animals are allowed, but the central focus is alcohol. Make sure the format suits everyone in your party.

You may want a different experience if you want a private vehicle, a short tasting session, or detailed instruction on brewing methods. The tour is also a poor fit for anyone who dislikes group outings or prefers to control every minute of a day.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The tour is offered in English, uses mobile tickets, and confirmation is provided when you book. It is available near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 12:00 p.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The experience depends on good weather, so a weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking time of 24 days in advance. If your Nashville dates are fixed, reserving early is sensible.

Should you book this Nashville brewery tour?

Book it if you want easy transportation between several breweries, enjoy a social group setting, and would rather sample Nashville beer than spend the afternoon planning rides. Trevor, Mel, and Randy add the kind of local guidance that makes the route feel personal, while the trolley keeps the day simple.

Skip it if you want a technical brewery tour, a private experience, or a short tasting. Also skip the idea of racing through all six stops. The best version of this outing includes food, water, a few well-chosen tastings, and enough flexibility to stop before the day becomes too much.

For $36, the trolley is a practical way to see Nashville beyond Broadway. Just remember what you are buying: not a brewing class, but a flexible brewery crawl with a friendly driver, six possible stops, and no designated driver required.

FAQ

Where does the Brewery Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour start?

It starts at the Omni Nashville Hotel, on the 5th Avenue side of the building.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 12:00 p.m.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $36 per person.

Which breweries and drink stops are included?

The route includes Honeytree Meadery, TailGate Brewery East Nashville, Southern Grist in East Nashville, East Nashville Beer Works, Bearded Iris Brewing, and Monday Night Brewing, also called Preservation Co.

Can I get off and back on the trolley?

Yes. You can get off and reboard throughout the day, and you can skip stops if you choose.

Are drinks and food included in the ticket price?

No. The $36 price covers the tour experience and transportation. You purchase beer, mead, food, cocktails, or other drinks separately.

Is this a guided tour of the brewing process?

No. It is a hop-on, hop-off trolley connecting several breweries. The tour does not provide a formal brewing-process tour at each location.

Is the trolley climate-controlled?

Yes. The tour uses a comfortable, climate-controlled vintage trolley.

What happens if I cancel?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.