As the owner of a top-rated food tour company here in Nashville, I get this question from guests all the time:
“What is the best way to visit Nashville breweries?”
The Music City Brew Hop makes it easy to explore some of the city’s best local breweries on a hop-on, hop-off trolley that runs Friday through Sunday. It’s an awesome self-paced experience for beer lovers, and one I often recommend to guests looking for a fun, low-stress afternoon outside of Broadway. It’s one of the top things to do in Nashville for beer lovers.
In this guide, I’ll break down what’s on each loop, what styles of beer (and cider!) you’ll find, and which route is best depending on what kind of experience you’re looking for. As a fellow tour operator who’s led thousands of guests through Nashville’s culinary scene, I’ve got plenty of insider tips to help you plan the perfect local adventure.
And if you’re still building your weekend itinerary, don’t miss the chance to join us for a Downtown Nashville Food Tour while you’re in town. We pair unforgettable dishes with rich local history, hidden gems, and storytelling that goes far beyond what you’ll find on Broadway.
I may earn a small commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend locally owned, top-rated Nashville experiences I personally trust and love.
What Is the Music City Brew Hop?
The Music City Brew Hop is Nashville’s exclusive hop-on, hop-off brewery trolley tour. Operating Friday through Sunday from 12 pm to 7 pm, it runs two loops, East and West, each visiting 6 breweries on a one-hour trolley circuit. A ticket grants unlimited rides, allowing you to stay, sample, and ride on your schedule
Why It’s a Top-Rated Nashville Brewery Tour
Targets only locally owned Nashville craft beer spots
Offers affordability: around $45/day, far better than private tours
Provides air-conditioned vintage trolley comfort + bottled water
Flexible stops, join at any brewery on the route
Want something more curated with amazing local food and history?
Check out our Downtown Nashville Food Tour, named one of the best in the country.
East Nashville Brewery Loop, Art, IPA & Mead-Friendly
Breweries on East Loop
Honeytree Meadery, Nashville’s premier meadery where eco-friendly meads with board games, outdoor patio, and kid & pet-friendly space
TailGate Brewery, East, Casual beer hall known for wild-fermented ales, loaded fries, and gourmet pizza
Southern Grist Brewing Co., Experimental taproom famed for hazy IPAs and fruit-forward sours
East Nashville Beer Works, Balanced lagers, bright ales, spacious patio, and full kitchen w/ excellent pizza
Bearded Iris Brewing, IPA-centric haven with meticulously brewed DIPAs, pales, and hazies
Monday Night Brewing, Preservation Co., Nostalgic warehouse taproom with a solid lineup and vibrant murals
What You’ll Experience
Artsy, colorful neighborhood with open-air patios and murals
A broad range of Nashville craft beer styles, from mead and sours to hazy IPAs
Laid-back, daytime energy with a strong community feel
Food Highlights
TailGate and ENBW offer full sit-down menu (pizza, fries, salads)
Southern Grist typically brings food trucks
Enjoy casual bites while sampling bold, creative brews
West Nashville Brewery Loop, Polished, Ciders & Lagers
Breweries on West Loop
Tennessee Brew Works, Iconic downtown spot with lagers, Southern ales, rooftop seating, live music, and full kitchen featuring Nashville hot chicken
New Heights Brewing Company, Boutique brewery crafting crisp small-batch IPAs and ales in a welcoming atmosphere
Fait La Force Brewing, Belgian-inspired farmhouse ales, saisons, and sour-lambics in a refined setting
Jackalope Brewing Co., Women-owned favorite offering malt-forward beers and community-focused taproom
Marble Fox Brewing Company, Sleek downtown brewery with balanced core beers and polished neighborhood vibe
What Makes It Special
Indoor/outdoor industrial-chic spaces with barrel-aging influence
Live music at Tennessee Brew Works on weekend afternoons
Proximity to downtown and Gulch, perfect for live-music nights
Food Highlights
Full kitchen at Tennessee Brew Works
Others rely on rotating food trucks or nearby restaurants
FAQs: Nashville Craft Beer & Brewery Tour Edition
Can I do both loops in one weekend?
Absolutely, most visitors split over two days, taking the East Loop Brewery tour one day and the West Loop the next.
Which loop is best for food?
The West Brewery Tour Loop wins with full kitchens. The East Loop offers strong casual eats and food trucks.
Which loop is better for lighter beers and lagers?
West Loop, thanks to TN Brew Works’ crisp lagers and the boutique IPAs at New Heights.
Is this tour good for groups?
Yes, the Music City Brew Hop is great for bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthdays, or casual friend days.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes, weekends book fast. Grab your hop on hop off brewery tour Nashville ticket online.
Final Take: Why Not Do Both?
If you’re deciding between the East and West brewery loops, the truth is you can’t go wrong. Both give you access to some of the best Nashville craft beer experiences in the city, and they offer totally different vibes:
East Nashville is artsy, outdoorsy, and bold, perfect for a sunny day and adventurous palettes.
West Nashville brings a more polished, downtown feel with standout cider, live music, and full-service kitchens.
And here’s the local’s tip: Do one loop Friday or Saturday, and book a Downtown Nashville Food Tour with us the next day. You’ll experience two completely different sides of the city, the craft beer scene and the food and history that make Nashville so special.
We’ve had many guests pair both experiences in one weekend and say it was the perfect combo of self-guided fun and curated storytelling.
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