NON BUS MOVIE STARS Traverse City Brewery And Distillery Tour

Traverse City’s Movie Stars Brewery and Distillery Tour is built around a simple idea: let somebody else handle the driving while you sample three very different local drink spots. In about four to five hours, you ride in a luxury SUV, see downtown Traverse City, and taste beer, cider, wine, and spirits without being packed onto a large party bus.

I like the small-vehicle format, which feels more personal and less noisy than a standard coach tour. I also like the range of drinks: classic lagers at Silver Spruce, experimental small batches at Earthen Ales, and beer, wine, cider, cocktails, whiskey, vodka, and gin at The Workshop.

The main consideration is price. At $99 per person, samples are available, but food, glasses, bottles, and growlers cost extra. You are paying for the driver, local guide, vehicle, and easy transportation as much as for the drinks themselves.

Key points before you book

• Three stops in about four to five hours: You visit Silver Spruce Brewing Company, Earthen Ales, and The Workshop Brewing Company, with roughly 50 minutes at each.
• Luxury SUV, not a party bus: Transportation is provided in a GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban, with a maximum group size of 20.
• A wide tasting menu: Expect beer at all three stops, plus cider, wine, and spirits at selected locations.
• Downtown pickup is central: Meet at the Hardy Street Parking Structure near the State Street entrance and MiddleCoast Brewery, across from the Park Place Hotel.
• Food and take-home drinks cost extra: You may buy snacks, meals, bottles, glasses, or growlers at the stops.
• A local, first-responder-friendly company: Movie Stars Wine Tours is owned and operated by former law enforcement, and its guides include local university graduates.

Why this tour works for a Traverse City drinking day

A brewery day sounds easy until you consider the driving. The three stops are in and around Traverse City, and tasting several drinks can make a rental car a poor choice. This tour solves that problem with a designated driver and a local guide who keeps the day moving.

The experience also avoids the feel of a large party bus. The company uses luxury GMC Yukons or Chevrolet Suburbans, and the tour is described as semi-private. The maximum group size is 20, but groups of six or seven will most likely have their own vehicle. That distinction matters. A couple or small group can get a more relaxed ride, while larger parties still have a planned way to visit several places.

You will spend roughly 50 minutes at each brewery. That is enough time to order or sample drinks, look around, and get a sense of each place. It is not enough time for a long meal at every stop, so think of this as a tasting circuit rather than a leisurely afternoon at one brewery.

The tour begins and ends at the same downtown meeting point. That makes it easy to pair with a hotel, restaurant, or evening walk in Traverse City. Pickup is offered at the Hardy Street Parking Structure, and local downtown pickup arrangements may be possible for groups if you contact the company with your location.

Starting in downtown Traverse City

The tour starts with a drive around beautiful downtown Traverse City. This opening gives you a quick sense of the city before the tasting stops begin, and it helps set the geography for the rest of the day.

The main pickup point is on the east side of the Hardy Street Parking Structure, near the State Street entrance and next to MiddleCoast Brewery. It is across the street from the Park Place Hotel. Look for the luxury SUVs rather than a coach or old-style bus.

If you are staying outside downtown, plan this part carefully. Daytime pickup from local hotels may sometimes be arranged before the tour, but afternoon traffic can make a return to an outlying hotel difficult. The company recommends returning downtown after a day tour, eating there while traffic clears, and then using an Uber or hotel shuttle later.

That advice is practical. You do not want to spend the final part of a drinking tour sitting in traffic, and you should not count on a hotel drop-off at any hour. Afternoon and sunset tour passengers are encouraged to reach downtown early by hotel shuttle or Uber. Local hotel or motel drop-off is usually more workable after those later tours.

Silver Spruce Brewing Company: classic lagers and a broad beer list

Silver Spruce is the first major stop, with about 50 minutes to spend inside. The brewery opened in 2018 and is especially known for lagers and pilsners, making this a good place to start if you prefer clean, traditional beer rather than heavily flavored experiments.

You can sample several styles, including:

• Lagers
• Pilsners
• Dunkels
• IPAs
• Stouts
• Pinot Grigio
• Malbec

That last pair gives wine drinkers an option, though the main focus here is beer. I like the balance of the lineup. You can stay with familiar styles, or use the stop to try something darker or more hop-forward.

Samples and splashes are available through the tour, but you can also buy a glass, sample platter, or growler. Those purchases are not included in the $99 price. A growler can be a nice souvenir, but remember that you will need to collect and transport it after the tour.

The 50-minute visit should work well for a tasting and a little conversation with your guide. It may feel short if you want a full meal or several full pours, so use the time for sampling rather than settling in for a long evening.

Earthen Ales: small batches and beer slushies

Earthen Ales changes the pace. The brewery has made beer in Traverse City since 2016 and releases a new small batch every Sunday. That rotating approach means the exact choices can change, which is part of the reason this stop feels more exploratory than Silver Spruce.

This is where you might find unusual beer styles or combinations. The brewery is willing to try new ideas, and the tour includes the chance to sample those changing releases. You can also find cider and beer slushies, giving the stop a different personality from a standard beer flight.

Earthen Ales allows you to bring your own food, and you may also find a snack at the bar. Since food is not included in the tour, this is a useful place to handle a small hunger before the final stop. Still, I would not count on this being a full lunch unless you confirm what is available that day.

The rotating menu is both an attraction and a small risk. If you prefer to know exactly what you will drink before arriving, this stop may feel less predictable. If you enjoy trying whatever a local brewery is working on now, the changing selection is a strong reason to keep it on the route.

The Workshop Brewing Company: the broadest selection

The Workshop is the most flexible stop of the day. Its stated focus is on sustaining nature, building community, and honoring craft through traditional beer, local and organic ingredients where possible, and wholesome food. You can expect a welcoming setting with food choices, live entertainment six nights a week, and a long drink list.

The tour includes access to a wide range of options here:

• Beer
• Whiskey
• Vodka
• Gin
• Mixed drinks
• Cider
• Wine

That makes The Workshop especially useful for mixed groups. One person can order a beer, another can choose wine or cider, and a spirits drinker does not have to settle for a token option. The range also makes this the stop most likely to appeal to someone who does not think of themselves as a brewery person.

Food is available, but it costs extra. With only about 50 minutes at the stop, you may need to choose between a substantial meal and a careful tasting. If you want to eat here, tell your guide early so you can use the time well.

The Workshop also offers live entertainment six nights a week. The schedule can affect the feel of your visit, but the tour information does not promise a particular performance. Treat that as a possible bonus rather than the main reason to book.

What the $99 price really covers

The $99 fare is easiest to understand when you separate the drink cost from the service. You are paying for a four to five hour outing, a local guide, a designated driver, air-conditioned transportation, and a planned route through three drink establishments.

Samples and splashes are available, but the tour does not include a meal, growler, bottle, or souvenir glass. Those extras can add up if you buy at every stop. I would set a separate spending limit before you leave, especially if you like taking local beer home.

The price offers better value for people who would otherwise need a taxi, rideshare, or designated driver for several stops. It also saves you from planning the route and judging how much time to spend at each place. For a small group, the value comes from convenience and safety rather than unlimited drinks.

Group discounts are offered, but the supplied information does not state the discount amount. Ask about the current group rate when booking if you are arranging a larger party.

The ride, group size, and overall pace

The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters during a warm Michigan afternoon. You ride in a GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban, rather than a large party bus. The company describes the experience as semi-private, and groups of six or seven will most likely have their own vehicle.

The maximum group size is 20. That leaves some uncertainty about the exact feel of a particular departure. A small booking may be very intimate, while a full tour will be more social. The operator also combines couples and groups, so you should not assume that every departure is private.

The pace is organized but not rushed. Three stops at around 50 minutes each account for about two and a half hours on site, with the remaining time used for driving, pickup, and movement between locations. You will have enough time to sample each place, but not unlimited time to linger.

The company’s guides are local Traverse City guides, with the owner and some guides connected to the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, and Wayne State University. Tracey is specifically praised in the supplied customer feedback, and a repeat customer also referred warmly to Magic Mike and his team. The information does not identify which guide will lead your departure, so you should not book expecting a particular person unless the company confirms it.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to sample several Traverse City breweries without driving. It also suits couples and small groups who prefer a luxury SUV to a noisy coach.

It works well for groups with mixed tastes. Silver Spruce covers traditional beer and wine, Earthen Ales adds experimental beer, cider, and slushies, and The Workshop offers spirits, cocktails, wine, cider, and food. You do not have to share the same drink preferences as everyone else in your group.

The tour may be less suitable if you want a long sit-down meal, a private vehicle guaranteed for two people, or a detailed behind-the-scenes brewery production tour. The supplied details focus on tastings and visits, not on brewing-room access or formal production talks.

It is also not the best choice if you plan to buy a large amount of beer and carry it around all day. Bottles and growlers are allowed as purchases, but the company suggests collecting wine the next day after enjoying downtown. That same common-sense approach applies to brewery purchases.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is received at the time of booking. The experience is offered in English, has mobile tickets, and is near public transportation. Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 20.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that 24-hour window, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. The deadline follows local time, so do not leave cancellation decisions until the last minute.

The activity is booked, on average, 34 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a useful sign that you should reserve early for a particular weekend or group event.

Plan to arrive at the downtown meeting point with enough time to find the Hardy Street Parking Structure. If you are staying elsewhere, arrange your own ride into downtown unless the company confirms a local pickup. For day tours, plan to remain downtown afterward rather than assuming a direct return to an outlying hotel.

Should you book the Movie Stars Brewery and Distillery Tour?

Book it if your priority is a safe, easy drinking day with three distinct stops and a luxury SUV. The route gives you classic lagers, changing small-batch beer, cider, beer slushies, wine, spirits, cocktails, and food options in one half-day outing.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the small-vehicle approach, downtown pickup, and range of drink choices. The strongest reasons to hesitate are the extra cost of food and take-home drinks, the possible shared group setting, and the fact that each stop gets only about 50 minutes.

For a first brewery day in Traverse City, I think the tour makes sense, especially if nobody in your group wants to be the designated driver. Arrive downtown early, keep room in your budget for optional purchases, and view the experience as a guided tasting route rather than a full meal tour. With those expectations, the $99 price can be a fair trade for convenience, safety, and a relaxed afternoon.

FAQ

How long does the Traverse City brewery and distillery tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to five hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $99 per person.

Which breweries and drink stops are included?

The tour visits Silver Spruce Brewing Company, Earthen Ales, and The Workshop Brewing Company.

How much time do you spend at each stop?

The planned visit at each location is about 50 minutes.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation is provided in an air-conditioned GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban.

Is this a party bus tour?

No. The company describes it as a non-party-bus, semi-private experience using luxury SUVs.

Where does the tour meet?

The main meeting point is the Hardy Street Parking Structure at 303 E State Street in Traverse City, on the east side near the State Street entrance and MiddleCoast Brewery.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Pickup may sometimes be available from local area hotels before day tours, but arrangements are not guaranteed. Downtown pickup is the standard plan, and you should contact the company about your location.

Are food and take-home drinks included?

No. Food, bottles, glasses, and growlers are available for an additional cost. Samples and splashes are available during the tour.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.