Brewery Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour of Nashville

Nashville’s beer scene is spread well beyond Broadway, and this hop-on, hop-off trolley gives you a practical way to reach it without putting one person on driving duty. From noon, you can visit up to six stops, stay for a flight, food, or a single pint, then board again when the trolley comes around.

I like the freedom to skip a stop and the easy social mood created by the trolley. Guides such as Trevor and Mel add useful recommendations, good music, and plenty of humor. The main catch is simple: this is a brewery-hopping day, not a behind-the-scenes lesson in how beer is made. You also need to pace yourself, since six stops in six hours is a lot.

Key points to know before you book

• Six stops beyond Broadway: The route reaches Honeytree Meadery and five beer-focused locations, including several in East Nashville.
• Your day is flexible: Get off, stay awhile, skip a stop, or reboard as you wish.
• Trevor, Mel, and Randy set the tone: Guides are praised for music, suggestions, safety, and keeping groups together.
• Food matters here: TailGate is known for pizza, and other stops offer food choices, including barbecue at StokeHaus.
• The trolley solves the driving problem: You can sample beer and mead while someone else handles the road.
• Plan your finish: If you remain at the last pub, you may need an Uber back to your accommodation.

Why this trolley works better than a brewery crawl by car

Nashville’s main tourist strip has plenty of bars, but this experience takes you toward local beer rooms in East Nashville and beyond. That shift is part of the appeal. You see a side of the city that is easy to miss if your whole visit stays around Broadway.

The trolley is vintage, climate-controlled, and built for a social ride. You are not trapped in a fixed tasting menu or pushed through every stop on a strict schedule. You decide if a place deserves a full visit or only a quick look.

The price is $36 per person. That is a fair deal if you visit several locations, since a private ride or a series of separate car trips would quickly cost more. Your beer, mead, cocktails, seltzers, and food are additional purchases, so the final cost depends on how enthusiastically you order at each stop.

The experience earns a 4.9 rating from 326 reviews, with 97 percent recommending it. That high mark makes sense if you want transportation and a social afternoon. It matters less if your main goal is brewery education, technical beer tasting, or a quiet meal.

Starting at the Omni Nashville Hotel at noon

The tour begins at the 5th Avenue side of the Omni Nashville Hotel at 12:00 pm. This is a useful starting point for anyone staying downtown, and the route then moves away from the Broadway core.

The first ride helps set expectations. This is not a formal bus lecture with a guide delivering a long script at every stop. It is more like a hosted beer crawl, with the driver giving suggestions, local context, and practical help along the way.

Trevor is especially good at recommending what to try and explaining the character of each stop. Mel brings a lively, funny style, while Randy is also praised for his recommendations. The guide you get can shape the mood, but the basic format remains the same: ride, choose your stop, drink or eat, then continue.

Pickup and drop-off times are posted on the back of the driver’s seat, which helps you keep track of the day. Still, I would pay attention. A relaxed brewery stop can make time move quickly.

Honeytree Meadery adds something different

Honeytree Meadery is the route’s clearest change of pace. Mead is made with honey rather than the grain base used for beer, so this stop gives you a chance to try a different kind of drink.

You should not treat every stop as mandatory. Some people enjoy the meadery, while others prefer to spend more time at the beer locations. The flexible format lets you make that choice without missing the whole tour.

This is also a good reminder that the name brewery hop can be slightly misleading. The route includes places that serve beer, mead, cocktails, and seltzers, but you are not promised a guided look at production methods. If you want to learn about fermentation equipment or brewing steps, this probably is not the right tour.

TailGate Brewery East Nashville is the food stop to remember

TailGate Brewery East Nashville is one of the strongest stops for anyone who wants food with the beer. Pizza receives repeated praise, and it gives you a solid way to slow down, eat, and avoid treating the afternoon as one long drinking contest.

That matters because the schedule can encourage over-ordering. Flights let you sample several beers, but six stops can become too much if you try a full flight everywhere. I would use TailGate as a meal stop and be selective with the tasting portions.

The food also makes this a better choice for mixed groups. A friend may care about new beers, while someone else may be more interested in lunch and the ride. TailGate gives both of you a reason to get off.

Southern Grist brings another East Nashville beer stop

Southern Grist is another East Nashville stop on the route. Its place in the schedule gives you a chance to compare one local taproom with TailGate rather than treating the day as a single brewery visit.

The useful part here is variety. You can order a flight, sample a style you do not know, or keep your order modest and focus on the atmosphere. The tour does not require you to buy something at every stop, so you can use Southern Grist as a short visit if TailGate already took up your appetite and time.

I would ask your guide for a recommendation rather than ordering at random. That is where Trevor, Mel, or Randy can add value. The drivers are not simply moving people from point to point. They help you make quick choices when the taps and menus begin to blur together.

East Nashville Beer Works keeps the crawl local

East Nashville Beer Works continues the East Nashville portion of the route. It is one of the stops that helps this tour feel like a neighborhood crawl instead of a downtown bar circuit.

You can expect the same basic choice: stay for a drink and food, sample a flight, or use the stop as a brief look before catching the trolley again. The ability to skip places is especially useful here. If you have already found a beer you like, you do not need to force yourself into every taproom.

This is also where the social side becomes more noticeable. You share the trolley with people who may have different plans, and the ride creates an easy chance to trade suggestions. Some groups meet new friends during the day, while others may prefer to keep to themselves. You have room for either style.

Bearded Iris Brewing adds another beer-focused stop

Bearded Iris Brewing is another chance to compare Nashville’s local beer scene. The route includes six locations with different menus and moods, so the fun comes less from collecting a checkmark at each place and more from noticing which stop suits you best.

If you are serious about sampling, order flights selectively. Several drinks at each of six stops can overwhelm even a seasoned beer fan. Water and food are not minor details here. One past rider’s best advice was to wear comfortable clothes, eat well, drink water, and avoid getting too drunk. That is exactly how I would approach the day.

The trolley means you do not need a designated driver, but it does not remove the need for judgment. The safest and most enjoyable version of this tour is paced, social, and flexible.

Monday Night Brewing, Preservation Co. is the final listed stop

Monday Night Brewing, Preservation Co. is the last listed location. Finishing here can work well if you want to stay longer at one place instead of rushing back downtown.

There is one practical issue: if you remain at the last pub, you may need to arrange your own Uber afterward. The trolley is useful for the route, but you should not assume it will return you to the Omni or your hotel after you choose to stay at the final stop.

That makes the last stop a good place to plan ahead. Check your phone, confirm your next ride, and decide if you want to leave with the group or remain for another drink or meal.

The real value is choice, not guided brewing lessons

The tour’s strongest feature is control. You can visit all six places, stop at four, or skip the meadery and focus on beer. One group found four stops plenty and left the final two alone, which is a sensible plan for many people.

You also get a range of drink types. Beer is the focus, but mead, cocktails, and seltzers are available along the route. That helps if your group has mixed tastes.

The tradeoff is that the experience is not a brewery production tour. You are visiting taprooms and purchasing drinks, not walking through the brewing process with a specialist. One dissatisfied rider expected more information about how beer is made, and that criticism is fair. The name can create the wrong expectation.

Think of it as transportation plus local recommendations plus a flexible crawl. If that sounds good, the format is strong. If you want structured instruction, tastings led by a beer expert, or a detailed explanation at each brewery, choose another kind of experience.

What the trolley atmosphere is really like

The shared trolley is part of the entertainment. Drivers play music, keep the ride moving, and help the group decide where to go. Trevor is often praised for being safe, friendly, and easy to talk with. Mel is remembered for energy and humor.

The atmosphere can be a major plus for birthday groups, couples, and friends who like meeting new people. It can also be a drawback if you want complete privacy. You may ride with people you have never met, and the mood depends partly on the group that day.

The vehicle is described as clean, comfortable, and climate-controlled. The vintage design adds character without asking you to sacrifice basic comfort. That is valuable in Nashville weather, especially during a long afternoon.

Who should book this Nashville beer tour?

I would recommend it to:

• Friends who want to drink without assigning a driver
• Couples looking for an easy afternoon outside Broadway
• Beer fans who enjoy comparing several taprooms
• Mixed groups that need beer, mead, food, and non-beer options
• Birthday groups and casual social occasions
• Visitors who prefer a flexible plan over a fixed tasting menu

I would be more cautious if you want an educational brewing tour, dislike shared transportation, or plan to drink heavily at every stop. Six locations sound exciting, but four well-paced stops may be a better day than six rushed ones.

The tour is offered in English, uses mobile tickets, and is near public transportation. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Confirmation arrives when you book. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted. Poor weather can also lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Brewery Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour?

Book it if you want an easy, social way to reach Nashville breweries outside the downtown core. At $36, the trolley is good value when you use several stops and avoid paying for a separate driver. I especially like the freedom to skip places, order food at TailGate, try mead at Honeytree, and ask the guide for help choosing drinks.

Go in with the right idea. This is a hosted brewery crawl, not a lesson in brewing. Pace yourself, carry the schedule in mind, and plan your ride home if you stay at Monday Night Brewing. For a relaxed day of local drinks, neighborhood stops, music, and shared trolley fun, it is a smart Nashville pick.

FAQ

How long is the Brewery Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour?

The experience lasts about six hours.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 12:00 pm.

Where does the trolley depart?

The starting point is the Omni Nashville Hotel, on the 5th Avenue side of the building.

How many brewery locations are included?

The route includes six brewery locations, along with Honeytree Meadery. The listed stops are Honeytree Meadery, TailGate Brewery East Nashville, Southern Grist in East Nashville, East Nashville Beer Works, Bearded Iris Brewing, and Monday Night Brewing, Preservation Co.

Can I skip a stop?

Yes. You choose where to get off, and you can skip locations that do not interest you.

Can I get back on the trolley?

Yes. The format allows you to get off and reboard throughout the day.

Is Honeytree Meadery a brewery?

No. Honeytree Meadery is a meadery, offering a different type of drink from the beer-focused stops.

Is food available during the tour?

Food is available at some stops. TailGate Brewery is particularly noted for its pizza, and barbecue is also available at StokeHaus.

Does the tour include drinks?

The tour provides transportation and access to the stops. Beer, mead, cocktails, seltzers, and food are purchased separately.

What happens if I stay at the final stop?

If you remain at the last pub, you may need to arrange an Uber back. Plan your return transportation before deciding to stay late.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The provided information says most people can participate, but it does not give specific wheelchair-access details. Contact the provider before booking if you need this information.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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