the brewtruck – a mobile tap room

When you think about San Francisco, one generally thinks of taking trips to the water, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the colorful diversity that each neighborhood has to offer. There’s only one way to see it all in just few hours, and that’s by riding the legendary brewtruck, San Francisco’s only mobile tap room (formerly known as the “brewtruc”). The truck will gladly take you and your party on a 3-hour daytime or evening tour around SF, where you’ll be able to drink local craft beers while enjoying the sights and sounds of the city. The operators of the truck will gladly park at any location of your choice, so that you can watch the sun setting over the beautiful city. After a 6-month hiatus and with new management, the brewtruck is ready to take you and your party on the most epic tour of the city; bathroom breaks included.

the brewtruck on the waterfront
the brewtruck on the waterfront

 Hugh Schick and Phil Cutti developed the brewtruck back in the fall of 2011, purchasing a ’97 school bus to transform into a beer lounge with a 24 person capacity. The 40-foot bus was custom-renovated to include a copper bar, plush burgundy leather seats, skylights, and 12 taps (6 inside and 6 outside). They also installed a 93-inch keg fridge in the bottom of the bus that feeds into all 12 taps with local craft beer.

the brewtruck interior
the brewtruck interior

Book-A-Food-Truck-For-A-Party

Last week I was able to meet up with Craig, one of the original investors who now manages the business side of the brewtruck, as well as Shelby and Arslan, who act as personal hosts of every tour and oversee the marketing and social media for the truck.

the brewtruck operators
the brewtruck operators

We met up on a sunny Saturday afternoon at an industrial location by the waterfront where the bus parks nightly. Having never actually taken a trip on the bus before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The bus was glistening in the sun, with the bay for a backdrop, as they finished washing it for the photo shoot. The brewtruck is a classic school bus, painted shiny and black with old school Cadillac tail lights and skylights that open up along the roof of the bus, and on seeing it for the first time, I felt like a kid in a candy store. Craig came out from the truck and happily greeted me right away, before introducing me to Shelby and Arslen, who have been best friends since childhood. Everyone was super friendly, down-to-earth, and excited to re-launch the newly renovated brewtruck.

the brewtruck
the brewtruck

After I got on the bus, I was instantly offered a beer, so I chose a full pour of Wesfalia by Fort Point Brewing. I was pretty impressed by the selection of beer they were offering–these weren’t the typical well-known California craft beers, but instead beer from local SF breweries that only serious craft aficionados would know about.

the brew truck beer taps
the brew truck beer taps

For the next few hours, I drank beers, shot lots of photos, and hung out with the guys. We drove through the Presidio, Haight Ashbury, and Golden Gate Park. I have lived in San Francisco for over 12 years and I have to say that this was the seriously the sickest way to see the city. We talked about the history of the brewtruck, some of the wilder parties they’ve had on the bus, and a few upcoming events they’d like to partake in, such as SF Beer Week, happening next February.

I know exactly what I’ll be doing with 24 of my closest friends on my birthday next year. Trust me, your next pre-game party to Levi’s Stadium will be legendary and you’ll be arriving in such style if you choose to go with the brewtruck. Check out their truck profile here.

-Bay Area Contributor, Brian Chan with Tigerrulezzz Photography

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