Atlanta Beer Bus Brewery Tour: How to Explore Atlanta Breweries the Easy Way

Atlanta’s craft beer scene is spread across several neighborhoods, from West Midtown to Grant Park and Upper Westside. If you want to visit multiple breweries in a day without worrying about driving, an Atlanta beer bus brewery tour is one of the simplest ways to do it.

Below is a practical guide to how brewery bus tours typically work in Atlanta, what to expect, and how to plan your day around them.

What Is an Atlanta Beer Bus Brewery Tour?

An Atlanta beer bus brewery tour is usually a shuttle-style service that runs a loop between several local breweries, taprooms, and sometimes beer bars.

Instead of booking a private limo or rideshare between every stop, you:

• Pay for a tour pass or wristband
• Hop on at a designated stop
• Ride between breweries on a set route
• Get on and off as you like during operating hours

These tours are designed for:

• Locals planning a brewery crawl with friends
• Visitors who want to sample several Atlanta breweries in one afternoon
• Groups celebrating birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette events, or work outings

You’re generally responsible for buying your own drinks at each brewery, while the bus covers the transportation side.

Popular Brewery Areas Covered by Beer Bus Tours

Exact routes can change, but most Atlanta beer bus tours focus on neighborhoods with clusters of breweries that are relatively close together.

West Midtown & Howell Mill

This area has become a major beer hub, with several breweries and taprooms within a short drive. Depending on the tour operator, common stops in this area may include:

• Breweries along Howell Mill Road
• Taprooms near the Westside Provisions District
• Spaces close to the BeltLine Westside Trail

This side of town is convenient if you’re already staying or living near Midtown, Downtown, or Georgia Tech.

Upper Westside & Chattahoochee Industrial Area

The Upper Westside around Chattahoochee Avenue and Marietta Boulevard has a growing concentration of breweries. A beer bus route in this area often strings together several warehouses and taprooms that can be time‑consuming to walk between.

Eastside, BeltLine, and Grant Park (Varies by Tour)

Some Atlanta beer buses or private brewery tour companies also run routes or custom trips that connect:

• Breweries near the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
• Taprooms in or around Grant Park, Summerhill, and Old Fourth Ward
• Stops that are walkable from Inman Park or Krog Street Market

These routes can be especially appealing if you want to mix brewery visits with BeltLine walking, food halls, or street art exploring.

How an Atlanta Beer Bus Tour Typically Works

While each operator is a little different, most Atlanta beer bus brewery tours follow a similar pattern.

1. Choose Your Tour Style

Common formats you’ll see:

• Public hop-on, hop-off bus

  • Runs a repeating loop
  • You can board at any listed stop while your pass is valid
  • Often best for smaller groups or couples

• Private group brewery tour

  • Reserved bus/van just for your group
  • Custom route and pickup/drop-off point (often available inside I‑285)
  • Good for corporate groups or private celebrations

2. Buy a Pass or Reserve a Slot

You’ll usually:

• Pick a date (often Friday–Sunday for public routes)
• Choose a time window or confirm the operating hours
• Pay a flat fee for unlimited rides during your pass period

Some operators require advance reservations, especially for private groups, while hop-on routes may let you buy on the day if space is available.

3. Find Your Starting Brewery

Most Atlanta beer buses have one or more recommended starting points, often:

• A central brewery with ample parking
• A location that’s easy to reach from MARTA or major roads
• A place where staff are familiar with the tour wristbands or check‑in process

If you’re visiting from out of town, starting at a brewery along the MARTA Red/Gold line (Midtown or Arts Center stations) and then taking a short rideshare to the first stop can cut down on driving.

4. Ride Between Breweries

Once you’re checked in, the process is usually simple:

1. Wait at the designated bus pickup spot at the brewery (often near the front entrance or a marked loading zone).
2. Board when the bus arrives; show your wristband, pass, or reservation.
3. Ride to the next stop on the loop; buses often run on a predictable schedule (for example, every 30–45 minutes per stop, but this varies).

You can stay at each brewery as long as you like and catch another bus when you’re ready.

5. End Your Tour Safely

👉 Plan how you’ll get home before you start drinking. In Atlanta, common options include:

• Rideshare services
• Taxis
• A designated driver arranged ahead of time
• Using MARTA if your last brewery is near a station like Midtown, Arts Center, or Garnett

If you left your car at a starting brewery, confirm that the parking lot allows cars to remain after closing in case you decide to return for it the next day.

What’s Typically Included vs. Not Included

To set expectations, here’s what’s commonly part of an Atlanta beer bus brewery tour and what you’ll usually pay separately.

For private tours, some companies may also coordinate custom pickup, such as from a hotel in Downtown, Buckhead, or Midtown, often for an additional fee.

Planning Your Atlanta Brewery Bus Day

Best Days and Times

Atlanta’s brewery buses most often operate:

• Weekends (Friday–Sunday)
• Afternoons into early evening, when breweries are busiest

If you prefer a quieter experience with shorter bar lines, starting earlier in the afternoon can help, especially on Saturdays.

How Long to Plan

Many locals set aside 4–6 hours for a beer bus day. That usually gives enough time to visit:

• 3–5 breweries at a relaxed pace
• One or two food stops along the way

If you’re traveling with a group, it can help to agree beforehand on:

• A starting time
• A target final stop (for dinner or easy transit home)
• A basic budget per person for drinks and food

What to Bring

A few practical items make the day smoother:

• Valid government-issued ID (Georgia driver’s license, passport, etc.)
• A card or cash for drinks, food, and tips
• Charged phone for coordinating, maps, and rideshare
• Light jacket or poncho if the forecast calls for rain; some stops may require waiting outdoors

Some tour operators allow small bags or backpacks, but large coolers or outside alcohol are typically not allowed on the bus.

Typical Breweries You Might Visit (By Area)

Exact stops change over time, but these are the types of places often connected on Atlanta brewery tours:

West Midtown / Upper Westside

• Large warehouse-style breweries with indoor taprooms and outdoor patios
• Spots that host food trucks, trivia nights, or live music
• Breweries located in former industrial corridors along Chattahoochee Avenue, Marietta Street, or Howell Mill Road

Eastside & BeltLine-Adjacent

• Taprooms near the BeltLine Eastside Trail
• Breweries in renovated historic buildings or mixed-use developments
• Spots that are walkable to other attractions like Ponce City Market or Krog Street Market

When you’re planning your day, it can be helpful to check each brewery’s:

• Hours (they may differ from the bus schedule)
• Food options (full kitchen vs. rotating food trucks vs. snacks only)
• Family and pet policies (if you’re bringing kids or dogs)

Transportation, Parking, and Local Logistics

Getting to Your First Stop

From within Atlanta, you can usually combine:

• MARTA Rail:

  • Red/Gold line stations like Midtown, Arts Center, or Lindbergh Center can be good starting points before a short rideshare to breweries.
  • MARTA customer service (for trip planning help): 404-848-5000
  • Headquarters: 2424 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

• Driving and Parking:

  • Many breweries offer on-site or nearby parking lots, but they can fill up on busy weekends.
  • Always check posted signs about overnight parking if you’re leaving a car.

Late-Night Return

Brewery buses usually end before or around brewery closing times. If you tend to stay out later:

• Check the last bus time at your planned final stop
• Have a backup plan (rideshare or taxi) to get home

Safety, ID, and Local Alcohol Rules

Atlanta brewery bus tours operate under local and state alcohol regulations. A few things to keep in mind:

• ID is required: Expect to be carded at breweries, even if you look clearly over 21.
• Open container rules: In most Atlanta neighborhoods, you cannot legally walk around with open alcohol outside designated areas (some parts of the BeltLine and specific districts may have special rules; always follow posted signs).
• Responsible consumption: Drivers and brewery staff can refuse service or deny boarding if someone appears overly intoxicated.

If you have questions about Georgia alcohol laws or want to confirm rules, you can contact:

• Georgia Department of Revenue – Alcohol & Tobacco Division
  • Address: 1800 Century Center Blvd NE, Suite 15207, Atlanta, GA 30345
  • Main phone: 877-423-6711 (DOR call center; follow prompts for Alcohol & Tobacco)

Private Group & Corporate Options

Many Atlanta tour operators and some breweries offer customized brewery bus experiences for:

• Corporate outings and team-building days
• Birthday parties
• Bachelor and bachelorette events
• Alumni groups or social clubs

These often include:

• Custom pickup and drop-off within metro Atlanta
• Pre-selected brewery stops based on your preferences
• Optional add-ons like tastings, behind-the-scenes tours, or food arrangements

If you’re organizing a large group, it’s wise to:

• Confirm group capacity and pricing well in advance
• Ask about minimum time commitments (e.g., 3 or 4 hours)
• Clarify whether gratuity is included in the quoted price

Tips to Get the Most Out of an Atlanta Beer Bus Brewery Tour

• Eat before and during 🍽️
  Start with a solid meal and plan at least one food-focused brewery stop or food truck break.

• Pace your tasting
  Consider ordering flights or sharing pours so you can sample more styles without overdoing it.

• Pick a home base
  Choose one brewery as your “home base” where it’s easy to regroup, especially if friends join late.

• Check the weather
  Many Atlanta breweries lean heavily on outdoor seating; summer heat and pop-up storms can change your plans.

• Set a hard return time
  Decide in advance what time you’ll catch your last bus or call a rideshare so the night doesn’t get complicated.

An Atlanta beer bus brewery tour can turn the city’s spread‑out craft beer scene into a manageable, enjoyable afternoon. By understanding how the routes work, planning your transportation, and pacing your visits, you can explore multiple Atlanta breweries safely and efficiently—whether you’re a local discovering new favorites or a visitor getting a broad taste of the city’s beer culture in a single day.