East vs West: Which Nashville Brewery Tour Loop Is Right for You?

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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.

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.

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

  1. Honeytree Meadery - Nashville’s premier meadery where eco-friendly meads with board games, outdoor patio, and kid & pet-friendly space

  2. TailGate Brewery – East - Casual beer hall known for wild-fermented ales, loaded fries, and gourmet pizza

  3. Southern Grist Brewing Co. - Experimental taproom famed for hazy IPAs and fruit-forward sours

  4. East Nashville Beer Works - Balanced lagers, bright ales, spacious patio, and full kitchen w/ excellent pizza

  5. Bearded Iris Brewing - IPA-centric haven with meticulously brewed DIPAs, pales, and hazies

  6. 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

  1. Tennessee Brew Works - Iconic downtown spot with lagers, Southern ales, rooftop seating, live music, and full kitchen featuring Nashville hot chicken

  2. New Heights Brewing Company - Boutique brewery crafting crisp small-batch IPAs and ales in a welcoming atmosphere

  3. Fait La Force Brewing - Belgian-inspired farmhouse ales, saisons, and sour-lambics in a refined setting

  4. Jackalope Brewing Co. - Women-owned favorite offering malt-forward beers and community-focused taproom

  5. Diskin Cider - Nashville’s only craft cidery with traditional and inventive ciders, plus great food: charcuterie, salads, even hot dishes

  6. 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

  • Cider spotlight from Diskin, if light/elegant drinks are your jam

  • Proximity to downtown and Gulch, perfect for live-music nights

Food Highlights

  • Full kitchens at Tennessee Brew Works and Diskin Cider

  • Others rely on rotating food trucks or nearby restaurants

Real Music City Brew Hop Reviews

From Google:

““Great way to see the city and check out places other than Downtown/Broadway! … Our driver Trevor was FANTASTIC!!! … The bus has a cooler of water for your convenience as well. 10/10 would rebook our trip!” ”
— Carly Guenther, Official Google Review
““I cannot RAVE more about how amazing Music City Brew Hop is. My spouse and i had our Bach party in January with them. … It was the absolute perfect day. Full of laughter, drinks, and a beautiful trolley!” ”
— Lauren Taylor, Official Google Review
““What a wicked deal! My husband and I purchsed tickets for the West Loop tour and it did not dissappoint! Randy was a great driver and host - can’t wait to come back and hit the East Loop!” ”
— Jamie H, Official Google Review

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 one is better for cider and lighter beers?
West Loop, thanks to Diskin’s well-crafted cider and TN Brew Works’ crisp lagers.

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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