Honey-mead, rum, and beer in one long day. I love how this small-group tour throws you into mead tasting at Hive Five Meadery on Route 66, then lets you compare it with wines made from Cella Winery and Vinyard. I also love the hands-on feel at Desert Diamond Distillery, where you get a real behind-the-scenes look at how rum and vodka are made.

The one watch-out: this is an alcohol-focused schedule, so if you want a light, non-drinking sightseeing day, the pace may feel heavy. Alcohol sampling is built into the stops, and lunch location can vary, which may change your exact meal spot even though lunch is included.

Key highlights worth your time

• Hive Five Meadery tastings: sample mead in modern flavors like mango, black cherry vanilla, and chocolate covered strawberry
• Cella Winery & Vinyard wines: up to four wines from older vines made in traditional oak barrels
• Desert Diamond Distillery tour: see the distilling process and check out barrels on an exclusive walkthrough
• Black Bridge Brewery beer flight style: try beers made with non-basic recipes, plus a included tasting time
• Lunch included with options: you might eat at Sirin’s Cafe or at a Grand Canyon brewery depending on the day

From Laughlin to Kingman: how the day is paced

This tour runs about 7 hours, starting at 9:00am and returning to the same meeting point in Laughlin. Pickup is offered at select Laughlin hotels, including New Pioneer Hotel and Casino and Regency Casino, so you do not have to figure out your own transport into Kingman.

Once you’re on the road, you should plan for about 2 hours of travel time total during the day. That matters because the schedule is tight in a good way: it keeps moving so you fit in three tasting stops plus lunch. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and you get bottled water, which is a simple comfort that pays off on a warm desert day.

A small group helps too. The max is 12 people, so you spend less time waiting around while the guide lines people up for each tasting. Also, the tour offers a mobile ticket, which is handy if you like keeping everything on your phone.

Stop 1 at Hive Five Meadery on Route 66

Hive Five Meadery is where the day goes from curious to seriously fun. This is Mohave County’s first and only meadery, and that alone makes it feel different from the usual wine or spirits stops. Mead is honey wine, but the tour does not treat it like an old-fashioned novelty. You get the modern side of mead, too, with flavors such as mango, black cherry vanilla, and chocolate covered strawberry.

What I like about this stop is that it gives you multiple ways to understand the drink. If you already know what you like, the flavor menu helps you find your direction fast. If you have never tried mead, this is one of the easiest ways to get past the word honey wine and actually taste how the flavors behave.

Another smart piece: Hive Five also includes tasting up to four wines from Cella Winery & Vinyard. Cella has more than four acres of vines in Kingman and grows seven varietals, so the tasting choices are meant to fit different palates. The wines are made locally in traditional oak barrels, which gives you that classic wine influence without the need to guess what kind of barrel style you are dealing with.

Time-wise, you get about 1 hour 30 minutes here. That is enough to sample, ask questions, and slow down a little if you find one flavor you keep wanting to return to.

Possible drawback to keep in mind: because this stop mixes mead and wine tastings, you can easily over-sample if you treat it like a grab-and-go. Pace yourself. Take a breath between drinks, and stick with small pours if the options are presented that way.

Desert Diamond Distillery: rum and vodka with a real process tour

Next comes Desert Diamond Distillery, described as Arizona’s oldest craft distillery. The location is a little surprising, tucked among the activity around Kingman Airport, so it can feel almost off the radar once you arrive. That inconspicuous setting makes the experience more personal. This is not a polished, factory-style operation. It feels like a place that wants you to ask questions.

You get an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, focused on how their premium hand-crafted rum and vodka are made. You are not just tasting, you are watching the process. For me, that is where the tour turns from fun into actually useful learning.

One review highlights that the operation feels friendly and family-run, and you can tell it is the kind of place where questions are welcome. Another detail that stuck with me: in addition to the spirits, the distillery also sells flavored olive oils, and you might even see items connected to charcoal grilling or smoking, including old oak barrel pieces used in the aging process. If you like bringing home something that is not another bottle, these extra products can make a great take-away.

You spend about 1 hour at the distillery, including the tour and tastings. That timing is about right. It is long enough to understand the flow, but not so long that the group gets restless.

Black Bridge Brewery and lunch choices in Kingman

The final tasting stop is Black Bridge Micro Brewery. They are known for beers with recipes that are not so basic, which is exactly what you want after the mead and spirits day. Beer here is not presented as a filler. It is the last chapter of the tasting theme.

You get about 1 hour here, and admission is included. In practice, you can expect time to sample and compare. One person mentioned getting a flight of six, which is a great way to taste variety without going all-in on one style.

Food is part of this phase of the day too. Lunch is included, but the exact location can change based on the day you tour. One option is Sirin’s Cafe, described as one of the top 100 places to eat, and another option is Arizona’s famous Grand Canyon brewery. Either way, lunch is on the tour.

In at least one described lunch stop, people ate sandwiches and salads, and one order included lemon pasta salad. So if you are the type who needs a real meal to reset after alcohol tastings, this is a solid plan.

A helpful thing to know: because lunch timing is built into the brewery portion, you should not expect a long sit-down lunch. It is more of a comfortable refuel so you can finish your last tasting without feeling wiped.

Price and logistics: why $230 can be good value

At $230 per person for about 7 hours, this is not a cheap add-on. But the value comes from what is included, not just the transport.

You get:

• Alcoholic beverages included
• Lunch included
• Bottled water included
• Stops where admissions are either included or provided without an extra ticket

In particular, admission at the distillery and brewery is included, and the Hive Five mead and wine tasting is free within the tour timing. That means you are paying mainly for:

1) the guided day and planning,

2) the small-group access, and

3) the transportation between Kingman stops from Laughlin.

The small group limit of 12 people also helps the day feel organized. With a larger group, tastings can turn into hurry-up waiting. Here, the structure stays tight.

Also, the overall rating is strong, with a 4.9 score and 94% recommending the tour. That consistency matters because this is a type of experience where the guide makes a big difference.

The real secret weapon: guides like Michael, Wil, and Kevin

This tour’s alcohol education lands better when the guide can explain it without turning it into a lecture. Several named guides show up in the feedback, including Michael, Wil, and Kevin, and their role seems less about reciting facts and more about keeping the day smooth and interesting.

I like that guides are described as:

• organized and friendly
• quick with answers
• great conversational hosts
• good at making the day feel special without rushing people

One person specifically called out Michael as a great host who made time enjoyable, while Wil is mentioned with a lot of energy, plus the ability to answer questions about the area. Kevin is also tied to a great distillery experience.

You should treat this as a tour where asking questions is part of the fun. If you show up curious, your guide can steer you toward the flavors and techniques that match your tastes.

Who should book this Kingman tasting day from Laughlin

This tour is a good match if you:

• like craft beverage experiences and want three different alcohol categories in one day
• enjoy learning how drinks are made, not just tasting the final product
• want a break from the casino routine while still having a structured plan

It also fits people who like meeting others in a small group. The max 12 helps the experience feel more like a day out with friends than a big bus tour.

Where it may not fit:

• If you do not drink alcohol or you want a mostly non-drinking sightseeing itinerary, this will feel too focused on tasting
• If you prefer lots of long photo stops and scenic time, the schedule is built around tastings and lunch, not sightseeing

Practical tips so the tastings feel fun, not fuzzy

A day like this is all about rhythm. Here are a few ways to keep it enjoyable:

• Pace your pours at Hive Five since you have mead and up to four wines there.
• Take short breaks between tasting rounds, especially once you are in spirits territory at Desert Diamond.
• Use lunch strategically. Eat what you like, even if it seems casual. It helps you keep enjoying the last brewery samples.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You will be in and out of different spaces, and you do not want sore feet while you are trying to stay relaxed and social.
• Bring your best questions. For distilling and brewing, the guide can often explain what you are tasting and why it tastes that way.

Should you book this Wine & Mead Tasting, Distillery and Brewery Tour?

Yes, if you want a structured, high-inclusion day that mixes mead, wine, rum and vodka, and beer with lunch, all in a small group. It is the kind of tour where you can leave with both new favorites and a better understanding of how these drinks are crafted.

I would pass if you want a mostly scenic day, or if you are trying to avoid alcohol sampling altogether. But if you are curious and you like craft drinks, this one is hard to beat for the mix and the time you get.

If you book, I suggest you come ready to taste and ask questions. With guides like Michael, Wil, and Kevin running the day, you are likely to get more out of it than just drinks in your hand.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 7 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $230.00 per person.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts in Laughlin, Nevada (meeting point area listed for the activity) and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Additional hotel pickup is offered at the New Pioneer Hotel and Casino and at Regency Casino in Laughlin.

What tastings and meals are included?

The tour includes alcoholic beverages and lunch. Bottled water is also included. Admission is included for the distillery and brewery stops, while Hive Five’s admission is listed as free within the tour.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

What is the schedule like across stops?

You will visit Hive Five Meadery, Desert Diamond Distillery, Black Bridge Brewery, and then have lunch either at Sirin’s Cafe or at a Grand Canyon brewery option depending on the day.

What should I know about tickets?

You get a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at the time of booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund.

Is the tour guaranteed to run every day?

The tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it is canceled because the minimum is not met, you will be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.