Hops & Homicide: A Craft Beer Crawl Through America’s Darkest Stories
Overview
Hops & Homicide is a road trip through the Midwest’s craft beer scene…with a darker twist. From the streets of Chicago to the breweries of Milwaukee and beyond, this small-group experience blends real true crime stories with great bars, local brews and the kind of nights that rarely go exactly to plan. By day, you’ll walk through locations tied to infamous cases, hear the stories behind them and see each city from a different perspective. By night, things shift - into breweries, dive bars and the social side of travel, where strangers quickly turn into a group. This isn’t a history lecture. And it’s not just a pub crawl stretched over a week. It’s a mix of storytelling, atmosphere and shared experiences - designed for people who want something a little different from their trip. Expect bold beers, strange stories and a week that builds as it goes. Some moments are light, some are darker but all of them are memorable. It’s history…just with better drinks.
Why This Tour is Special
- From crisp lagers to bold IPAs, every stop delivers beers worth investigating… repeatedly.
- Explore infamous stories from Capone to Dahmer, ideally with a cold beer in hand to steady the nerves.
- Where friendships are formed, playlists get questionable and “just one more stop” becomes a lifestyle.
- Crime scenes, eerie museums and places that make you say, “this is brilliant… and a bit weird.”
- It usually starts with one quiet drink and ends with stories you’ll be telling for years.
Upcoming Departures
11–17 September 2027
9 spots left
100% Guaranteed Departure · Book it. Pack it. We're going!✓ Your own room included — no single supplement
Tour Itinerary
Welcome To Chicago
Arrive, check in, and meet your fellow partners-in-crime.
We kick things off on a rooftop with a couple of craft beers before heading out for a proper introduction to Chicago’s dive bar scene.
First night. Strong start.
Chicago, IL: Gangsters & Great Beer
Chicago doesn’t do subtle… and neither do we.
By day, dive into the city’s Prohibition-era past with stops linked to Capone, Dillinger and the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
By night, it’s all about the beer: Revolution Brewing, Half Acre Beer Company, Maplewood Brewery and many more!
Expect bold flavours, better stories and a few “that escalated quickly” moments.
Milwaukee, WI: Dahmer & Drafts
We head to Milwaukee, a city known for beer…and darker chapters.
Explore locations tied to Jeffrey Dahmer’s story before shifting gears into brewery mode: Milwaukee Brewing Company, Eagle Park Brewing and Good City Brewing to name just a few.
Throw in bratwurst, dive bars and a late night that may blur slightly.
Madison, WI: Ed Gein Territory
Today gets a little… strange.
We visit Plainfield, home of Ed Gein (the inspiration behind Psycho and The Texas Chains Saw Massacre), before balancing things out with one of America’s weirdest attractions: House on the Rock.
Beer stops include: Karben4 Brewing, Working Draft Beer Company, Great Dane Pub and a few special surprises!
It’s unsettling…but in a good way.
Rockford, IN: Unsolved Mysteries
A day of cold cases and cold beers.
Explore the mystery of Mary Jane Reed, visiting key locations tied to the case before diving back into the local beer scene: Prairie Street Brewing, Carlyle Brewing and Rockford Brewing Company.
Expect theories, debate…and more drinks than planned.
Gary IN: Dark Stories & Big Pours
Gary brings industrial history, lesser-known crime stories, and a surprisingly strong beer scene.
We explore the story of Darren Deon Vann before making our way through: Shoreline Brewery, 18th Street Brewery and many more local hidden gems.
It’s our final full day…so naturally, we go out properly.
Farewell (for now)
We head back to Chicago, squeezing in a final stop or two along the way.
Goodbyes, last drinks and the realisation you’ve got stories you probably shouldn’t tell everyone.
Cheers to a chilling, thrilling, and unforgettable journey!
What's Included
What's Not Included
Practical Info
Getting There
Fly into Chicago and prepare for a road trip involving craft beer, true crime history and the occasional sentence that makes you pause halfway through a cheeseburger. Domestic US flights are easy. Emotional recovery afterwards may take slightly longer.
What to Pack
Comfortable shoes, an open mind and clothing capable of surviving breweries, dive bars and the occasional dramatic true crime story told over tacos. Recommended: layers phone charger, hangover optimism and “I enjoy documentaries about serial killers” energy. Not required: forensic experience, detective skills or the ability to explain why you booked this tour to your friends.
Best Time to Visit
Spring through autumn is perfect for brewery hopping, road trips and sitting outside American bars wondering whether you should move here permanently. Winter works too if you enjoy: dark atmosphere, snowy streets and looking like a detective in a Netflix crime series.
Good to Know
This is not a glorified pub crawl with someone yelling Wikipedia facts through a megaphone. Think: craft breweries, great bars, fascinating stories, weird roadside America and a group of people who all ticked the same slightly concerning holiday preference box. Also: there will be beer, crime stories, late-night conversations that begin with: “Technically speaking…how haunted is this hotel?”
This Tour is Perfect For
- Adults only
- Couples
- Solo Travellers
Coming on Your Own? Brilliant!
Travelling solo? You'll fit right in. Join a small group of fellow adventurers, make new friends and enjoy your own room with no single supplement on eligible departures. No need to bring a spare human.
Discover Our Solo Traveller AdventuresPerfect for Friends & Couples
Tipple Tours are even better when shared. Our tours are designed for relaxed conversations, long dinners and plenty of shared travel stories.
Tour Gallery
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Got Questions?
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I'm Interested, But Need ConvincingFrom
£950
per person
100% Guaranteed Departure
Book it. Pack it. We're going! This departure is guaranteed, regardless of group size. Once you've booked, we won't cancel simply because there aren't enough guests.
Tipple Forever Deposit
Can't make your trip? Your £99 deposit is non-refundable, but transferable to another eligible Tipple Tours adventure or another person, subject to our transfer policy. Transfer policy
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Want a private experience?
Custom day trips & multi-day itineraries available
Enquire About Private Tours →Travel agent or group organiser? Explore partnership opportunities
Questions About the USA Tour
Everything you need to know before booking
Private & Custom USA Experiences
Want to explore America's craft beverage scene with your own group? Our USA tours are available as private experiences — perfect for bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate retreats, or groups who want the full experience without sharing.
Private Craft Beer Tours
Our True Crime Brewery Crawl and LA Beer tours are available as private bookings. Your group explores craft breweries, taprooms, and the stories behind them with a dedicated guide.
Custom Wine Country
Interested in Oregon Pinot, Washington Cabernet, or Texas Hill Country? We can build custom wine-focused USA trips tailored to your palate preferences.
American craft breweries often offer better experiences for private groups — ask about exclusive barrel tastings and brewmaster meet-ups.
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