Memphis beer turns into a real story fast. I like that this tour gives you a guided beer education (not just a crawl) plus hassle-free transportation so you can focus on tasting. I also like the variety: you’ll hit three artisan breweries in different parts of the city, with a guide who shares how brewing, neighborhood history, and local culture connect.

One thing to consider: you’re drinking on a schedule. Each stop is built around tasting flights, so if you’re extremely picky about every single pour or want total control over which beers you try, you may wish you could slow down and pick exactly each one.

Key things to know

• Small group size (max 14) means more conversation and less waiting around
• Meet at the Peabody Memphis on Union Ave, then you’re back there at the end
• Three breweries, multiple samples at each stop makes it easy to compare styles
• Air-conditioned ride + bottled water keeps the pace comfortable
• Guide Brian is a big part of the fun for his beer trivia, humor, and historical context

Memphis craft beer, handled with a real local pace

If your idea of Memphis is just Graceland photos and late-night barbecue, this tour adds a different angle: how people drink, brew, and hang out. You get to see the city through its newer craft scene while still getting plenty of grounding in the “why” behind the beers.

The best part is that you’re not managing logistics. A dedicated guide leads the timing, you ride between stops in an air-conditioned vehicle, and you get snacks and bottled water so you’re not running on beer alone. That matters in Memphis, where you’ll often feel the heat even when you’re only out for a short stretch.

I also like how the tour is built for learning without turning into a classroom. You’ll hear stories, ask questions, and get straight answers about beer style and brewing choices. It’s fun, and it actually helps you order better back in your home bar—or when you come back to Memphis.

Price and what $69 includes (and why it’s fair)

At $69 per person for about 3 hours 30 minutes, the value comes from what’s wrapped into the ticket. You’re not just paying for entry at one brewery. You’re paying for:

• Admission at three breweries
• A beer expert guide who explains what you’re tasting
• Alcoholic beverages via tasting flights
• Snacks and bottled water
• Private, air-conditioned transportation between stops

If you tried to do this yourself, you’d spend time arranging rides, paying for tickets three separate times, and maybe losing the “context” that makes beer tasting interesting instead of random. Here, the itinerary is doing that work for you.

This is also a good price point for couples. It’s structured, but it’s not stiff. And for solo travelers, the small group size helps you actually talk with people instead of just standing by a flight board.

Start at the Peabody: how the tour day sets up

You’ll meet at the Peabody Memphis, 149 Union Ave, right in the downtown area. Starting here is smart because it’s easy to get oriented. You’re also in a central place that works well for a short, guided evening that ends back where it began.

Because the tour ends at the meeting point, you don’t have to think about where your ride will take you after the last pour. You can keep your night simple: do the tour, then decide what you want to eat or see right after, without worrying about transportation logistics.

A quick tip: plan to arrive a few minutes early. With a max group size of 14, the guide can move everyone smoothly—but only if you’re on time.

The guide experience: what Brian tends to bring

The guide matters a lot on a beer tour, and this one has a reputation for strong personality plus solid info. Many groups highlight Brian by name for doing three things well:

1. Making the tour fun and funny without losing the story
2. Sharing beer trivia that feels practical, not just random facts
3. Connecting Memphis history to brewing culture so the stops feel linked

What you can expect is conversation. You’ll talk about what you like and don’t like, and the tour pace is flexible enough to keep people engaged. It also helps that the breweries themselves are friendly—so you often feel like you’re meeting the craft, not just consuming it.

First stop: Grind City Brewing Co. and the reuse-story on the bluff

Grind City Brewing Co. is where the tour starts to feel very Memphis. The brewery sits on one of the bluffs of the Mississippi, in the old home of the Tri-State veneer and furniture factory. That location isn’t just scenery—it’s the theme.

What makes this stop special is the building’s material history. Grind City refurbished and reused scrap wood and furniture materials to keep the spirit of the place alive. The reuse isn’t subtle: tables, walls, bar tops, flight boards, and more come from that factory past. That gives you a brewery that feels like an artifact you can taste.

There’s also a community side. The brewery works with charities including St. Jude Children’s hospital, Angel Street, Folds of Honor, and the Streetdog Foundation. If you like beers that come with a point of view, this stop gives you that.

How to enjoy it: go in curious. Ask the guide what the materials mean to the brewery’s identity, then use your flight to compare how the space itself shapes your experience. At Grind City, the tasting isn’t only about style—it’s about place.

Time on the stop: about 45 minutes, with admission included.

Second stop: Wiseacre Brewing Co. and the taste-for-good-times philosophy

Wiseacre is the stop where the tour turns more upbeat and forward-looking. Wiseacre positions itself around top-quality beer and education, aimed at people who like good times and want to learn why certain beers taste the way they do.

This brewery has a clear origin story tied to brothers Davin & Kellan Bartosch. They dreamed up Wiseacre in Memphis and describe an ongoing search for top-notch experience from around the globe—then brought it home into a brewery built for flavor and personality.

If you’re the type who wonders why different breweries lean into different styles, Wiseacre is a good place to start noticing patterns. You’ll taste beers that feel intentionally different, not just “whatever happens to be on tap.”

Potential drawback to keep in mind: flights can be fun, but they’re also a limited window. If you find one beer you love, you may wish there was time for a longer pour. The tour structure moves you along on purpose, and that’s what keeps it from turning into a one-brewery night.

Time on the stop: about 50 minutes, with admission included.

Third stop: Crosstown Brewing, beer beside the Crosstown Concourse

Crosstown Brewing feels like the tour’s community-minded finale. The brewery was founded in 2018 by homebrewer Will Goodwin and Clark Ortkiese, with a mission to use beer and good cheer to strengthen the community.

The building setting adds even more meaning. Crosstown Brewing sits adjacent to the old Sears Crosstown building built in 1927, a structure that sat empty for years and fell into disrepair. In 2017 it was renovated and returned to service as the Crosstown Concourse, a vertical urban village. That means you’re not just tasting beer—you’re standing next to a place that houses a grocery store, restaurants, retail, offices, a YMCA, a high school, and a post office, all around the same ecosystem.

So your third stop isn’t only about what’s in the glass. It’s about how a neighborhood repurposed itself and kept moving.

If you want a memorable last sip, this is the stop where you can slow down mentally. Ask your guide how the brewery fits into that bigger community picture, then use your final flight to reflect on what you liked most across the whole tour.

Time on the stop: about 50 minutes, with admission included.

What the tasting format means for your night

At each brewery, you’ll sample a flight of four beers. That format is a smart compromise. It’s enough variety that you can compare flavors and styles, but it’s not so much that you’re overwhelmed by number alone.

Here’s how to use the flights well:

• Pick one beer you think you’ll like, and one you think you might not. Taste helps you learn, not just confirm.
• Talk during the flight. Ask your guide what you’re noticing. This is where the education part shows up.
• Pace your sips. The tour runs on a timetable, and feeling comfortable makes the whole experience better.

Also note: you’ll get snacks and bottled water included. Don’t skip those. It keeps your taste buds working and helps you enjoy the last stop instead of just trying to survive it.

Transportation, comfort, and group size (small details that matter)

This is one of those tours where the logistics are built to protect your fun. The ride is in an air-conditioned vehicle, and you have private transportation for your group. The tour caps out at 14 travelers, which is a big deal if you hate shouting over a crowd.

Smaller group size usually means the guide can:

• keep everyone on time without herding
• check in with preferences
• handle questions without making you feel rushed

And since the tour includes bottled water, you can focus on enjoying the night rather than scavenging for hydration between stops.

One more practical note: you must be 21 and up. Service animals are allowed. The tour runs in English, and you’ll get a mobile ticket for entry.

Where this tour shines most (and who should book)

I think this is best for people who want more than a standard bar hop. If you’re into craft beer, you’ll love the structure: three breweries, each with its own story, and tasting flights that make comparisons easy.

It’s also great for first-timers. Even if you don’t know brewing terms, you’ll hear explanations tied to what’s in your glass. Many groups mention that they found beers they didn’t expect to like, which is exactly what a flight is for.

This tour is also a strong match for:

• couples looking for a fun shared activity
• groups of friends who want variety without planning
• travelers who like local history but want it connected to real life

If you’re someone who needs total control over every choice, or you want a lot of time in one brewery, you might feel slightly “on rails.” The tradeoff is that you get three different places in one guided evening.

Final verdict: should you book the Memphis Signature Guided Brewery Tour?

If you want a Memphis night that mixes craft beer tasting with real context—and you prefer not to manage rides and timing—this is an easy yes. For $69, you get admissions, a beer expert guide, snacks, and transportation that keeps the whole thing comfortable.

I’d book it if:

• you want three distinct brewery experiences instead of one
• you like learning while you taste
• you value small-group energy and a guide who keeps the vibe light

I wouldn’t book it if:

• you need to choose every beer yourself with no flight structure
• you’re not interested in drinking on a schedule

If you’re arriving in Memphis and want to get oriented fast through the local craft scene, this tour is a solid place to start. Book ahead if you can, since it’s commonly reserved around a month-plus in advance. Then bring your curiosity, pace yourself, and let the stories do half the work.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Memphis Signature Guided Brewery Tour?

The tour runs about 3 hours 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $69.00 per person.

How many breweries do you visit?

You visit three artisan breweries: Grind City Brewing Co., Wiseacre Brewing Co., and Crosstown Brewing.

What’s included with the ticket?

The ticket includes alcoholic beverages (tasting flights), snacks, bottled water, admission to the breweries, an expert local beer guide, and air-conditioned private transportation.

What are the tasting portions like?

At each brewery, you sample a flight of four beers.

Where do you meet and where does the tour end?

You meet at the Peabody Memphis, 149 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

What is the age requirement?

You must be 21 and up to participate.

Is cancellation allowed, and how far in advance?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund.

Is the tour offered in languages other than English?

The tour is offered in English.