The Ultimate Guide to Nashville Brewery Tours (2026 Edition)
- musiccitybrewhop
- Jul 7
- 7 min read
Nashville may be known worldwide for country music, but ask any local where they spend a Saturday afternoon and there's a good chance you'll hear the same answer: at a neighborhood brewery.
Over the last decade, Music City has quietly become one of the Southeast's most exciting craft beer destinations. From nationally recognized IPA producers and innovative sour programs to neighborhood taprooms, meaderies, brewpubs, and award-winning barbecue paired with house beers, Nashville's brewery scene offers something for every kind of beer drinker.
Whether you're planning your first visit to Tennessee or you're a local looking for your next weekend adventure, this guide covers everything you need to know about Nashville brewery tours in 2026—including the best breweries, the easiest ways to get around, and how to make the most of your day.
Why Nashville Has Become a Top Craft Beer Destination
Nashville's beer scene has grown far beyond a handful of local breweries. Today you'll find dozens of breweries spread throughout neighborhoods like East Nashville, Germantown, Wedgewood-Houston, The Nations, and downtown.
What makes Nashville different isn't just the quality of the beer—it's the atmosphere.
Most breweries feature:
Spacious patios
Dog-friendly outdoor seating
Food trucks or full-service kitchens
Live music
Trivia nights
Community events
Family-friendly environments during the day
Instead of rushing from bar to bar downtown, brewery visitors experience the neighborhoods that make Nashville unique.
What's the Best Way to Experience Nashville Brewery Tours?
There isn't just one way to visit Nashville breweries. Depending on your group, budget, and travel style, you have several great options.
Option 1: Hop-On Hop-Off Brewery Trolley Tours
If you want to visit multiple breweries without worrying about driving, parking, rideshares, or navigating unfamiliar neighborhoods, a hop-on hop-off brewery trolley is one of the easiest and budget-friendly ways to explore.
The Music City Brew Hop gives guests unlimited rides throughout the day aboard vintage trolleys, allowing you to create your own brewery adventure. Spend about an hour at each stop before riding to the next stop.
It's ideal for:
Visitors without a car
Bachelor and bachelorette parties
Couples
Groups of friends
Solo travelers
Locals wanting a stress-free brewery day
Instead of committing to a rigid itinerary, you decide which breweries to explore PLUS you no don’t have to worry about ride-shares, parking, or building your own itinerary.
The Brew Hop connects some of Nashville's favorite breweries across East Nashville and Germantown.
Start your adventure somewhere completely different.
Honeytree specializes in handcrafted mead made from honey instead of grain, offering refreshing flavors that appeal to beer lovers and wine drinkers alike.
If you've never tried mead before, this is one of the best introductions you'll find.
Beer and barbecue are one of the greatest pairings imaginable.
Stoke Haus combines smoked meats, Southern comfort food, and an excellent craft beer selection in a relaxed atmosphere that's perfect for lunch.
It's a favorite stop for groups wanting a hearty meal between brewery visits.
TailGate offers something for everyone.
Known for creative pizzas, rotating craft beers, seasonal releases, and one of Nashville's largest tap lists, it's an easy place to spend an hour—or three.
Their front patio is especially popular during warmer months.
One of Nashville's most acclaimed breweries, Xul Beer Co., previously known as Southern Grist, has earned national recognition for pushing creative boundaries.
Expect rotating hazy IPAs, pastry stouts, fruited sours, and experimental releases that consistently attract craft beer enthusiasts from across the country.
Beer lovers looking for something unique won't want to miss this stop.
Ask a local for the best hazy IPA in Nashville, and Bearded Iris is almost guaranteed to be mentioned.
Known for juicy New England-style IPAs and clean lagers, the brewery has built a loyal following while remaining approachable for first-time visitors.
Located inside a beautifully restored warehouse, Monday Night Preservation Co. combines impressive architecture with equally impressive beer.
Their spacious taproom makes an excellent place to relax before continuing your brewery adventure.
Prefer Exploring on Foot?
Not every brewery tour needs transportation.
If you enjoy walking between breweries, Nashville has several excellent brewery clusters that make for an enjoyable afternoon.
East Nashville Walking Brewery Tour
One of the city's most popular brewery corridors sits in East Nashville.
Depending on the weather and your pace, a typical route can include:
Bearded Iris Brewing
Monday Night Brewing
OR
Honeytree Meadery
Stoke Haus Brewing & BBQ
TailGate East Nashville
Xul Beer Co.
These breweries are close enough together to create a memorable self-guided brewery crawl while giving you the chance to explore one of Nashville's most vibrant neighborhoods.
If you'd rather let someone else handle the planning, the Hop Walk offers a guided brewery experience through one of Nashville's fastest-growing districts.
Guests enjoy a leisurely walk between:
New Heights Brewing
Tennessee Brew Works
Yee-Haw Brewing
Along the way you'll learn about Nashville's brewing history, the neighborhoods surrounding each brewery, and the local beer scene while enjoying generous tastings.
It's a great option for visitors looking for a more educational brewery experience.
Why Take a Brewery Tour Instead of Driving Yourself?
Many visitors initially plan to drive between breweries.
After visiting Nashville once, most wish they hadn't.
Choosing a brewery tour offers several advantages:
Safe Transportation
Nobody wants to worry about who's driving after sampling local craft beer.
Professional transportation lets everyone in your group enjoy the day responsibly.
No Parking Stress
Popular breweries can become crowded on weekends.
A brewery tour eliminates the hassle of finding parking at every stop.
See More Breweries
Without coordinating directions, parking, and transportation, you'll typically have time to visit more breweries in a single day.
Relax and Enjoy the Experience
Instead of staring at GPS directions, spend your day discovering great beer, meeting locals, and enjoying Nashville's neighborhoods.
Beyond Breweries
Private trolley tours with Music City Brew Hop are a great way to get around town and see only what you want to see. Private tours can include breweries, bars, attractions, restaurants, you name it.Â
Best Time of Year for Nashville Brewery Tours
The good news?
There really isn't a bad time.
Spring
Comfortable temperatures, blooming patios, seasonal beers, and numerous festivals make spring one of the busiest brewery seasons.
Summer
Longer days mean more time to explore.
Many breweries host outdoor concerts, food trucks, and special releases throughout the summer.
Fall
Arguably the best brewery season.
Cooler temperatures, Oktoberfest celebrations, football weekends, and fresh seasonal beers create an incredible atmosphere.
Winter
Don't overlook winter brewery tours.
Many breweries release barrel-aged beers, winter warmers, holiday stouts, and special seasonal menus during the colder months PLUS many feature holiday pop-ups through December and January.
Tips for Planning the Perfect Brewery Tour
A little preparation goes a long way.
Before your tour:
Eat a good meal.
Stay hydrated throughout the day.
Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Bring a valid ID - This is a big one, Nashville has a strict ID policy that most breweries adhere to.
Pace yourself.
Leave room for spontaneous brewery discoveries.
Purchase tickets in advance during peak travel seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nashville Brewery Tours
How many breweries can you visit in one day?
Most visitors comfortably visit four to six breweries, depending on how long they stay at each stop.
Are brewery tours family friendly?
Many Nashville breweries welcome families during daytime hours. Music City Brew Hop offers cheaper ‘Kid’s Passes’ available to riders under 16 years old. If you want to know the best breweries for families, don’t hesitate to ask the Music City Brew Hop team!
Do Nashville brewery tours operate year-round?
Yes. Most brewery tours operate throughout the year, although schedules may vary during holidays or severe weather.
What's the difference between a brewery crawl and a brewery tour?
A brewery crawl is typically self-guided. A brewery tour includes transportation, a guide, or a structured experience.
Do I need reservations?
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during weekends, holidays, and major Nashville events.
Why Music City Brew Hop Is One of the Best Nashville Brewery Tours
There are plenty of ways to experience Nashville breweries, but Music City Brew Hop offers something few others can.
Instead of locking guests into a fixed itinerary, the Brew Hop gives you the flexibility to build your own perfect brewery day.
Ride aboard a vintage trolley, hop off whenever a brewery catches your eye, grab a flight or a pint, then simply catch the next trolley when you're ready to continue exploring.
Whether you're celebrating a birthday, visiting Nashville for the weekend, planning a bachelor or bachelorette trip, or simply looking for an easy Saturday adventure, the Brew Hop removes the logistics so you can focus on what matters—great beer, great people, and unforgettable memories.
Start Planning Your Nashville Brewery Tour
With award-winning breweries, walkable neighborhoods, welcoming taprooms, and one-of-a-kind transportation options, it's easy to see why Nashville has become one of America's fastest-growing craft beer destinations.
Whether you choose to explore on foot with the Hop Walk, create your own East Nashville brewery crawl, or spend the day riding between breweries aboard Music City Brew Hop's vintage trolleys, you're guaranteed to discover incredible local beer and experience a side of Nashville many visitors never see.
The only difficult decision?
Choosing which brewery to visit first.