Minneapolis has one of the best craft beer scenes in the Midwest, and this guided minibus tour is the simplest way to sample it without worrying about a designated driver. The tour lasts about three hours and visits three breweries for roughly fifty minutes each, with the page naming Falling Knife Brewing Co., Fair State Brewing Cooperative and 56 Brewing as the stops. The price includes all-you-can-drink craft beer, round-trip minibus transport with a professional driver and guide, bottled water, snacks, admission to each stop, a cooler for any beer you buy and gratuities. Groups are limited to fourteen, which keeps the atmosphere sociable and lets the guide talk about how each brewery works and how the city’s beer culture developed. Guests must be 21 or over and bring photo ID. You choose an afternoon or evening departure when you book, and the tour starts and ends at the Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown on South 7th Street. It suits friends and couples who enjoy beer and want a local-led introduction.
Planning
Arrive at the meeting point in front of the hotel about thirty minutes before departure, and bring photo ID, since the minimum age is 21. The page says the tour is not wheelchair accessible and involves moderate walking, and a liability waiver is required. Departure is either afternoon or evening, chosen at the time of booking, and specific times are not shown on the page, so pick the slot that suits your plans and check the confirmation.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour, which is useful if your plans shift.
What to expect
Three stops of about fifty minutes each is enough time to taste the beers properly, ask the guide questions and look around each taproom without feeling rushed. The all-inclusive format means there is no need to track a bill, and snacks and water help pace the drinking. Brewery lineups and stops can change with availability, so treat the named stops as a guide rather than a guarantee. Eat a good meal beforehand, drink water between pours and plan something relaxed for the rest of the day.
Making the most of it
The tour is most fun with a group of friends or a couple who like trying new styles, and the small group size means everyone can hear the guide. It pairs well with a morning at a museum or the Stone Arch Bridge, followed by the tour in the afternoon and a dinner in the North Loop.
If beer is not your main interest, the North Loop food tour offers a more food-led way to taste the city. Check the dress code for the evening, bring a jacket in cooler months and remember that a cooler is provided if you want to take beer home, subject to the usual rules for travellers.
What to expect
The experience
A guided minibus tour of three craft breweries with all-you-can-drink beer, snacks and transport included.
Best time
An afternoon or evening departure, chosen when you book.
How long
About three hours.
Tips
Bring photo ID, eat beforehand and arrive 30 minutes early at the Royal Sonesta.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Beer lovers and groups of friends aged 21 and over.
- Families
- Not suitable; guests must be 21 or over.
- Couples
- A sociable, no-driving evening for beer fans.
- Pair with
- A North Loop dinner or the Stone Arch Bridge earlier in the day.
- Time needed
- About three hours plus arrival time.
Good questions
How long is the brewery tour?+
About three hours, with roughly fifty minutes at each of three breweries.
What is included?+
All-you-can-drink craft beer, minibus transport with driver and guide, water, snacks, admission to each stop, a cooler and gratuities.
Where does it start?+
At the front of the Royal Sonesta Minneapolis Downtown, 35 South 7th Street. Arrive about 30 minutes before departure.
Is there an age limit?+
Yes. Guests must be 21 or over and bring photo ID.
Can I cancel?+
Yes, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
