Six stops, one easy trolley day. This brewery-hopping experience uses a hop-on hop-off trolley so you can explore at your own pace, riding in a comfortable, climate-controlled vintage trolley. You also get a simple structure that keeps the day fun instead of chaotic.

I like that you can choose where to spend your time and even skip a stop if you’re not feeling it. I also like the mix of beer and mead stops across East Nashville, which helps you see more than the usual downtown circuit.

One thing to think about: this is not a hands-on brewing-process tour. You’re mainly there to visit the breweries, enjoy what they serve, and buy your drinks and food on site.

Key things to know before you ride

• Pick your pace with hop-on hop-off stops so you can linger or move on without stress
• Climate-controlled vintage trolley keeps you comfortable between neighborhoods
• East Nashville focus helps you get out of the Broadway crush
• Guides bring the vibe with practical suggestions and fun music during the ride
• Food shows up at the right stops (pizza at Tailgate Brewery gets called out a lot)
• It can feel like a marathon since you’ll be doing up to six stops—pace yourself and hydrate

Why this trolley brewery hop works (and beats the usual bar crawl)

Nashville’s craft scene is big, and trying to “do it all” on your own can turn into a logistics mess. This format fixes the main problem: you don’t have to coordinate a driver for multiple stops across town. The trolley does the in-between work, so your brain can stay on the fun parts—picking what you want to try, and actually exploring.

What makes the experience click is the flexible rhythm. You’re not locked into one quick stop at every place. Instead, you can get off, walk around, grab a drink (or something non-beer like mead), then come back when it’s time for the next ride segment. That’s the difference between a stressful checklist and a day that feels like a curated hangout.

The other win is variety. You’re not only visiting breweries that are easy to stumble into on foot. You’re also getting a lineup that covers different styles and scenes, which makes it easier to find something you’ll genuinely enjoy instead of forcing it.

Price and value: what $36 really buys you

At $36 per person for about 6 hours, this tour is mostly paying for transportation plus structure. That means the trolley ride is the product, while the beer/mead/food are what you choose to purchase at the stops.

So is it worth it? For many people, yes—because it saves you from:

• stacking multiple rides or parking hassles
• rushing between places
• trying to keep track of timing without a set pickup pattern

Also, you’re going to several locations in one go. You’re not spending your whole day moving around. You’re spending your time inside places where you can sample flights and compare styles—especially if you like the idea of trying a little of everything rather than committing to one heavy pour.

The 12:00 pm timing: how the day flows

This tour starts at 12:00 pm and runs about 6 hours total. The big detail that helps you enjoy the day is that the timing is communicated clearly during the ride, so you know when it’s best to get back on.

Here’s how to think about the pacing. You’ll typically handle a sequence of stops across the afternoon. Since you can hop off and return, your time at each stop becomes your choice. If you’re with friends and want more lively energy, you’ll likely stay a bit longer at the most fun-feeling breweries. If you’re keeping it lighter, you can skip ahead and still feel like you “did” the tour.

One practical note from the vibe of the day: it can feel like a lot. Some people love that, others start to feel overwhelmed after a few stops. The smart move is to plan to pace yourself and be willing to skip the final one or two if you’re getting tired.

Omni Nashville Hotel: your clean, easy boarding spot

You begin at the Omni Nashville Hotel on the 5th Avenue side. Starting from a major hotel works well for a trolley tour: it’s easy to orient yourself, and it’s simple to find the right place to board.

This is also a good moment to get your day organized:

• make sure your mobile ticket is ready
• confirm you know where you’ll re-board between stops
• grab water before you head into the first brewery stop

The tour is also described as being near public transportation, which is helpful if you’re mixing this with other parts of your Nashville trip. Even if you’re driving, you’ll probably appreciate having a reliable starting point.

Honeytree Meadery: a welcome change from straight beer

The first brewery-style stop on your route is Honeytree Meadery. If you like variety—or you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t always want beer—this is a smart early stop. Mead has a different flavor profile than traditional beer, so it keeps the day from feeling repetitive.

This also sets up a good strategy for the rest of the tour: taste first, decide second. You can use Honeytree to figure out what you want more of for the later stops. If you find you prefer something drier, sweeter, lighter, or more bold, you can steer your choices as the day goes on.

TailGate Brewery East Nashville: where the pizza advice matters

Next up is TailGate Brewery East Nashville. This stop has a reputation for food, and specifically, people point out the pizza at Tailgate as a must. If you’re planning to drink over the afternoon, eating real food early is a simple way to keep energy up and keep your pace comfortable.

TailGate is also the kind of brewery where it’s easier to settle in. If you want a place to hang out, snack, and compare flavors, it tends to work well. It’s a good mid-tour anchor before you move on to the next batch of East Nashville stops.

Southern Grist and East Nashville Beer Works: two more stops, two chances to find your favorite

After TailGate, you’ll continue deeper into East Nashville with:

• Southern Grist – East Nashville
• East Nashville Beer Works

These two stops are valuable because they widen the range of what you’ll experience. Even if you think you know what you like, two different breweries often give you two different outcomes—one might hit your sweet spot, the other might surprise you in a way you didn’t expect.

This is also where I’d use your guide’s tips (if they share recommendations during the ride). When you’re standing in a busy taproom trying to decide quickly, good guidance can prevent the “I’ll just order whatever” mistake. You’ll usually have an easier time finding a drink that matches what you’ve enjoyed so far.

Bearded Iris Brewing: craft fans often leave happy here

Then you’re off to Bearded Iris Brewing. By this point in the afternoon, you’re not just drinking—you’re filtering. You’ll know whether you want something crisp, something stronger, something lighter, or something you can sip slowly.

This stop tends to be one where people enjoy the overall brewery experience, not only the drink. Even if you don’t stay the longest, Bearded Iris gives you a strong chance to add a new flavor highlight to your day.

Monday Night Brewing – Preservation Co.: finish strong, then plan your ride

The last brewery stop on the route is Monday Night Brewing – Preservation Co. If you’re still enjoying yourself at the end, that’s great. Just plan ahead: if you stay late at the final location, you may need to arrange your own return (for example, using rideshare) since the trolley day ends there.

Finishing with a strong final stop helps the whole day feel complete. You get to end on something memorable rather than rushing out just to catch the trolley back.

Your guide on the trolley: what makes the experience feel special

The tour’s biggest differentiator is the person driving and hosting the day. People consistently talk about guides like Trevor and Mel for being fun, on-time, and genuinely helpful.

What stands out:

• They’re friendly and keep the ride enjoyable, not stiff
• They share suggestions for each stop
• Many guides play music during the ride
• They help you get through the day safely and smoothly

There’s also a practical detail that helps: the pickup/drop-off timing is described clearly in a way that riders can easily see. That means less guessing, fewer stressed moments, and more time focused on beer, mead, and food.

If you want a day that feels like hanging out with a host who actually knows the scene, this part matters more than people expect.

Comfort and weather: the trolley is climate-controlled, but the day is still outside

You ride in a comfortable, climate-controlled vintage trolley, which is a big deal in Nashville. Heat and sun can wear you down fast, and it’s nice to have a real break between stops.

That said, the experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the tour can be canceled and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. So if your trip is flexible, it’s wise to check the weather the day before and be ready to adjust.

Practical tips so you enjoy all (or most) of the six stops

If you do the full run, you’ll likely feel it. The day is built to cover multiple locations, and that means your best tool is pacing.

Here’s what I recommend based on what consistently works for people:

• Wear comfy clothes and plan for time on your feet at each stop
• Drink lots of water and don’t wait until you feel off
• Eat at least one solid meal during the tour (TailGate’s pizza gets a lot of love for this reason)
• If you start to feel overwhelmed, skip a stop. You’re not failing the tour by doing less

One more smart move: choose your “main” drink style early. If you keep switching preferences every stop, it’s harder to enjoy the day. If you find what you like (beer vs. mead, lighter vs. bolder), your decisions get easier and the day gets more fun.

Who should book this tour, and who might skip it

This is a great fit if you want:

• a safe, simple way to visit multiple breweries without worrying about driving
• a day that can feel social, especially if you enjoy meeting people in taprooms
• to get out of the downtown Broadway loop and spend time in East Nashville

You might skip it if:

• you’re expecting a detailed, step-by-step look at brewing processes (this is more about visiting and sampling than a brewing-operations lesson)
• you want a super chill, one-stop experience

Should you book Music City Brew Hop?

If you want a straightforward Nashville craft-beer plan with built-in transportation, this tour is an easy yes. The hop-on hop-off format gives you control, the trolley ride keeps the logistics simple, and the guides (often Trevor or Mel) can turn a regular brewery visit into a fun day with real momentum.

If you’re the type who gets overwhelmed by too many stops, don’t worry—you can skip. Just go in with the mindset of pacing, hydrate, and eat, and you’ll get the best version of what this tour is built to do.

FAQ

What time does the brewery hop-on hop-off trolley tour start?

The tour starts at 12:00 pm.

How long does the tour last?

It runs for about 6 hours.

How many brewery stops are included?

You’ll visit six brewery or meadery stops during the day, with the first boarding point at Omni Nashville Hotel.

Can I get off and then rejoin the trolley later?

Yes. It’s a hop-on, hop-off style tour, so you can get off and get back on multiple times.

Is the ticket mobile and in English?

Yes. You use a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English.

Is there free cancellation, and what happens if the weather is bad?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.