There is no doubt that the biggest new trend are micro-breweries and local wineries.  Forget traveling over 2,000 miles to go to Napa or Portland (Travel & Leisure Mags #1 location for beer drinkers), all you need is to take a less than an hour DAY TRIP to one of this regions wineries and breweries.

At a brewery, make sure and take a tour, even if you’ve been on another brewery tour, they’re all different.  You get to learn what makes their beer unique.  Typically you can taste many of their beers: pilsner, pale ale, IPA (india pale ale), porter, hefeweizen, and don’t forget about the seasonal beers that are typically flavored by fruits and other spices.

Wineries are a little different than brewery tours.  Many times you have to plan ahead, but most of the time they have a tasting room that’s always open.  There you can taste: muscato, pinot gris, chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet, sparkling, rose, and others. Remember if you don’t like something you can always pour it out in the spit bucket.  Wineries also tend to have wonderful restaurants, so definitely check it out.

If you’re thinking, “Hey, I don’t drink,” these places are still fun to come with a group of friends.  Many have fun tours of how wine and beer are made, local music, festivals, and good eats. Kids really shouldn’t go, so call a babysitter and have an adults night out!  Don’t forget to make sure and drink responsibly and always have a designated driver.

Brewery/Tap Rooms

Wiseacre Brewery – 2783 Broad Avenue Memphis, TN  >Open Thursday-Saturday     *Wiseacre currently doesn’t have tours but they are coming soon.

Ghost River Brewery – Many Tastings all over the region…follow them on Twitter and Facebook to find out where the next tasting is hosted!

Boscos – 2120 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN >Open everyday *No tours – Taproom and restaurant

Winery

Old Millington Winery – 6748 Old Millington Rd  Millington, TN > Open Wednesday-Sunday *Don’t forget music from 3PM-6PM

Wiederkehr Winery – 3324 Swiss Family Dr  Wiederkhr Village, AR >Open Daily *Wine FREE tours from 9AM-4:30PM daily except Sunday starting at 12PM **FR

EE Tastings!

Festivals

51st Annual Wiederkehr Village Weinfest – October 10-11 >Free Admissions to grounds **Whole Family Event: Grape stomp, tours, music, food vendors, pet contest, tram rides, dancing, games, and more!

Old Millington Winery Winefest – October 3 3PM-6PM *last one of the season!