A honey-wine day outside Las Vegas. This 7-hour tasting loop turns Kingman, Arizona into a full-on drinks education, with mead and wine, then rum and vodka, then beer—plus lunch.

Two things I’d love right away: you get a lot of variety in one day, and the group stays small (max 12), so the stops feel less like a cattle call.

One thing to consider: it’s an alcohol-forward schedule. You’ll be tasting at multiple places, so it’s best if you’re comfortable slowing down, drinking water, and not treating this like a sightseeing sprint.

Key highlights at a glance

• Hive Five Meadery tastings: try mead with modern flavors like Mango and Chocolate Covered Strawberry
• Cella Winery & Vineyard wine pours: up to 4 wines from older Kingman vines, made in oak barrels
• Desert Diamond Distillery behind-the-scenes: see how premium rum and vodka get made
• Black Bridge Brewery beer sampling: a microbrew stop with recipes described as not so basic
• Lunch in Kingman included: choose between Siren’s Cafe or another local option depending on the day
• Comfort and convenience: air-conditioned van plus bottled water during the ride

Route 66 to Kingman: Hive Five mead and Cella wines

This day trip starts by heading toward Kingman, with the first tasting stop at Hive Five Meadery on Route 66. If you only think of mead as ancient honey wine, Hive Five is a good reality check. Mead is made from honey (and fermentation), but here it’s served with flavors that feel built for modern palates—things like Mango, Black Cherry Vanilla, and Chocolate Covered Strawberry.

You’ll also get a chance to taste up to 4 wines from Cella Winery & Vineyard. The pitch here is about older vines: Cella grows over 4 acres and multiple varietals in Kingman, and the wines are made locally in traditional oak barrels. For you, that matters because you’re not stuck with just one style—this stop lets you compare mead sweetness and wine character side by side.

A practical tip: pace yourself. At this first stop you’re likely to taste several things in a short window, so start with the style you think you’ll like most. That way, even if you get a little “tasting fatigue” as the day goes on, you still leave happy.

Desert Diamond Distillery: rum and vodka plus the real process

Next up is Desert Diamond Distillery, described as Arizona’s oldest craft distillery. It’s in an unassuming spot near Kingman Airport, which means you might miss it if you weren’t following the tour van—so this is exactly where having pickup and a planned schedule is worth it.

At Desert Diamond, you don’t just taste. You get a behind-the-scenes look at how their premium hand-crafted spirits are made, with a focus on their rum and vodka. The distillery is also known for award-winning versions of those categories, so you’ll generally get samples that represent their best work, not random leftovers.

If you like the “how it’s made” part of travel, this stop is one of the anchors of the whole day. One review specifically called out the behind-the-scenes feel as friendly and helpful for questions. Guides like Wil and Mike were also praised for explaining what you’re seeing and keeping the day moving smoothly, so you’re not left standing around with only a menu for company.

Sweet spot: if you’re the type who wants more than a sip, this distillery visit turns tasting into a mini lesson.

Black Bridge Micro Brewery: beer tasting in Kingman

The last stop centers on Black Bridge Brewery, a microbrew spot with beer described as having “not so basic recipes.” Translation: you’re more likely to find flavors and styles beyond the usual lagers, depending on what they’re pouring that day.

You get a tasting opportunity here with an included admission. In practice, that can mean sampling multiple beers so you can compare differences in bitterness, sweetness, and aroma. For me, this is a nice balance after mead and spirits because beer changes the mouthfeel and pace. It also gives you a clear “final flavor” to end the day with.

Lunch is built into this portion of the schedule. The plan is Kingman lunch at Siren’s Cafe on certain days (or another local Kingman option if not). Either way, lunch is included. Reviews mention sandwiches, salads, and a full meal that feels like it was made fresh rather than thrown together.

One note: not everyone loves every brewery. One review said the brewery stop wasn’t their favorite part of the day, which is a good reminder to match your expectations. If you’re mostly here for mead and spirits, the beer is still a fun finisher, but it’s not the whole story.

Lunch in Kingman: included and actually satisfying

Lunch isn’t treated like a rushed afterthought. You’ll have a set block for the Kingman meal, and it’s included in the tour price. On many days, the lunch stop is Siren’s Cafe, and it’s often described as an easy, food-first break near the activity in that area.

What’s useful for you is that lunch seems designed to keep people comfortable through the rest of the tasting. Reviews mentioned they were able to choose items like sandwiches and salad (including lemon pasta salad) and that the meal was filling.

If you’re planning around alcohol, treat lunch like your strategy session. Eat first, then sip. If you skip lunch or eat only lightly, the later stops can feel stronger than you expected.

Price and value: is $230 for 7 hours a fair deal?

At $230 per person for about 7 hours, this tour sits in the mid-to-upper range for a drinks day trip. The key question is what you get for that money—and the value is mostly in the bundled tastings and the transportation.

Here’s what you’re paying for in practical terms:

• Multiple alcohol tastings spread across three tasting stops
• Lunch included (so you’re not paying extra mid-day)
• Bottled water plus an air-conditioned vehicle
• Small group size (maximum 12), which tends to make it feel smoother at the venues

Many drink-focused tours charge separately for transportation and tastings. In this case, the admissions at Hive Five and the final Kingman lunch stop are described as free tickets, while Desert Diamond and Black Bridge include admission. Either way, the schedule clearly aims to keep your day “priced as a package,” not a pay-as-you-go surprise.

The one cost your group can’t avoid is time. Two hours are allocated for transportation, so you’re committing to a full day. If your idea of a vacation day is slow and scenic without alcohol, this may not be the best fit.

What the small group really changes (max 12)

A group limit of 12 might sound like a detail, but it affects your day in real ways. Smaller groups usually mean:

• less time waiting in lines or parking lots
• more chance to ask questions during tastings
• easier pacing when your driver is matching the day to people’s needs

In reviews, the guide experience shows up repeatedly. Names like Wil, Michael, Kevin, and Mike came up as standouts for being organized, friendly, and able to answer questions. That matters because good guiding isn’t about being loud. It’s about helping you understand what you’re tasting and when you need to slow down.

Timing that works: a 9:00 am start and a full tasting arc

The tour runs starting around 9:00 am and lasts approximately 7 hours, with about 2 hours allocated for transportation. That timing is built for a day where you’re learning while still getting back in time for evening plans.

The schedule breakouts are clear enough to help you mentally plan:

• Hive Five Meadery: about 1 hour 30 minutes
• Desert Diamond Distillery: about 1 hour
• Black Bridge Brewery: about 1 hour
• Kingman lunch stop: about 1 hour 30 minutes

For you, the benefit is predictability. You’ll know when you’re likely to be in a tasting mood and when you’ll be able to sit down, eat, and reset. The day is long, but it’s structured.

Who should book this tour

This is a strong match if you:

• like tasting multiple types of drinks in one day (mead, wine, rum/vodka, beer)
• want a Route 66-flavored stop through Kingman rather than staying in one city
• enjoy seeing how products are made, not just drinking samples
• want lunch included without doing your own research mid-trip

It’s less ideal if you:

• don’t drink alcohol or aren’t comfortable with a tasting-heavy schedule
• prefer a mostly food-and-sightseeing day with minimal alcohol
• want lots of “free wandering time” (this is a planned stop tour)

If you’re staying in Laughlin, this tour also makes practical sense because pickup is offered from places like The New Pioneer Hotel and Casino and Regency Casino, and you’re taken from there and returned to the meeting point.

Practical tips before you go

1) Eat before the first stop. Even if lunch is later, don’t arrive hungry.

2) Bring your patience for multiple tastings. It’s one of the best parts, but it adds up.

3) Use bottled water early. You’ll have water during the ride, and sipping consistently makes the day feel easier.

4) Don’t overthink preferences at stop one. Mead flavors run creative; you can start with the one you’re most curious about, then let the rest surprise you.

5) Ask questions at the distillery. The behind-the-scenes tour is included, and that’s where you can get the most “why does it taste like that?” answers.

Should you book it?

If you want a drinks-focused day that’s still grounded in real places—Kingman mead and wine, a craft distillery process, and a microbrew stop—this is an easy yes. The value is strong because tastings and lunch are bundled, and the max-12 group size helps the day feel orderly.

I’d book it if your group is excited about learning what mead actually tastes like (and why) and if you’re happy to keep moving through a structured schedule. Skip it if you’d rather spend your time on dry land sightseeing with only minimal alcohol.

FAQ

FAQ

What’s the tour duration?

The tour is approximately 7 hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts in Laughlin, NV 89029, USA at 9:00 am, and it ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup offered?

Yes. Pickup is offered from additional hotel locations, including The New Pioneer Hotel and Casino and Regency Casino.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

What stops are included in the tasting?

The tour includes tastings/visits at Hive Five Meadery, Desert Diamond Distillery, Black Bridge Brewery, and lunch in Kingman (either at Siren’s Cafe on some days or another Kingman option depending on the day of the week).

What’s included with the price?

Included features are bottled water, alcoholic beverages, lunch, and air-conditioned vehicle transportation.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Do I get a ticket on my phone?

You’ll have a mobile ticket.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.

Can the tour be canceled due to minimum participants?

Yes. If the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, the tour may be canceled and you’ll be offered another date/experience or a full refund.