Traverse City Brewery & Distillery Tour: Expert Guides

Taste four breweries and a distillery without the party bus crowd

A guided brewery and distillery tour of Downtown Traverse City in a luxury SUV with expert local guides who are beer and spirits connoisseurs. The tour visits four iconic stops (Silver Spruce, Earthen Ales, the Workshop Brewing Company, and a distillery), where you sample craft beers, ciders, wines and spirits. Groups of couples travel semi-private. Groups of six or seven typically get their own vehicle. Ages 21+ only.

Step-by-step itinerary

Traverse City Brewery and Distillery Tour

• Start tour in Downtown Traverse City
• Visit Silver Spruce Brewery and sample drinks
• Visit Earthen Ales and try small batch beers
• Visit The Workshop Brewing Company for drinks and food

The experience

The tour starts with a drive through Downtown Traverse City, then moves through four stops where you taste what the guides actually recommend instead of just what's on tap. Silver Spruce, opened in 2018, focuses on lagers, pilsners and dunkel-style beers; Earthen Ales brews experimental small batches every Sunday and serves ciders and beer slushies; the Workshop Brewing Company pairs a full lineup of craft beers, whiskeys, vodkas and gins with live entertainment six nights a week and locally sourced food. The guides are University of Michigan, Michigan State, Grand Valley State and Wayne State graduates who know the local beer scene and can point you toward drinks worth talking about later.

You ride in an air-conditioned luxury SUV (either a GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban) not a party bus. Couples and small groups combine into semi-private tours. If your group is six or seven, you typically get your own vehicle. The whole experience runs four to five hours. Samples and splashes are available at each stop. Glasses, bottles, growlers and food are extra purchases you make on the tour.

What’s included

• Luxury SUV transportation.
• expert local guide who is a beer and spirits connoisseur.
• four brewery and distillery stops in Downtown Traverse City.
• samples at each location.
• semi-private or private group options depending on party size.

Options for this experience

2 options

Public luxury SUV tour where you join inGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 11:45, the last at 16:30Pickup is included

Private option: luxury SUV tourGuide in English · 17 departure times: the first at 11:45, the last at 16:30Pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day17 departure times: the first at 11:45, the last at 16:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (21 and older) · Under 21: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Movie Stars Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Book the private SUV if your group wants to set your own stops and pace. Choose the semi-private option if you prefer a guide who knows the breweries and distilleries inside-out and don't mind sharing the vehicle with other visitors.

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Top questions

What breweries and distilleries does the Traverse City tour actually visit?

The tour stops at Silver Spruce, known for lagers and pilsners; Earthen Ales, which experiments with new small batches; the Workshop Brewing Company, which serves craft beers, spirits and locally sourced food with live music; and a distillery. Each stop lets you sample and buy drinks by the glass or bottle.

Do I get my own vehicle or share with other groups?

Couples and small groups ride semi-private, meaning you may share the SUV with other couples or small groups. If your party is six or seven people, you typically get your own GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban for the full tour.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes the luxury SUV, the expert guide, and samples at each stop. Glasses, bottles, growlers and food are available for purchase at the breweries and distillery during the tour.

How long does the brewery tour take?

The tour runs four to five hours, starting with a drive through Downtown Traverse City and moving through the four brewery and distillery stops.

Who are the tour guides?

The guides are local graduates from University of Michigan, Michigan State, Grand Valley State and Wayne State who are beer and spirits experts. The company is owned and operated by a former law enforcement officer.