Vintage ‘Tap Truck’ launches to serve up pints across Vancouver Island

There’s a new way to elevate any event as a newly launched Victoria business has converted a vintage truck into a portable bar. 

Tap Truck VI was launched by Cody Evans and Adam Kuzminski after seeing the success of a similar business model that was started by a friend in the United States. 

This friend had started the “Tap Truck” brand in the US and created a business model that allowed other people to do the same, but on their own terms. 

“I thought it would be perfect in this community and really well-received and so I got some additional information [on Tap Truck] back in 2023, but I just wasn’t quite in the right place to make a move on the business,” Evans told Victoria Buzz. 

“With the craft beer scene, the vintage car scene and the wedding scene on the island—everything was pointing in the direction that this was a great idea,” added Kuzminski. 

After learning more, and thinking about how it would work here on Vancouver Island, Evans and Kuzminski got to work looking for the right vehicle to become Tap Truck VI. 

“At that point it was a ‘yes’ but we were just waiting for the right car to come up,” continued Kuzminski.

“It was tough to find the right vehicle that was a mix of old, but also functional and reliable.”

Eventually, they found a truck in Campbell River that would work, but also needed a lot of work to get there. 

The vehicle they landed on was a 1932 Chevrolet Series BA, and their model is unique as it was made in Canada at a factory in Oshawa, Ontario. 

“We found that a lot of them in California look a little bit more polished, put together, shiny, certainly still old and all genuinely vintage, but ours is more eclectic and rustic,” explained Evans. 

“The goal with our truck was to take it back in time, rather than have a car that’s really finished and polished, painted and shimmering,” said Kuzminski. “We wanted a truck that had that timeless look to it.”

Lucky for them, the guy they got it off of, Pete, was a mechanic, and more than capable of getting the truck retrofitted to become their flagship vehicle. 

“It was sort of a flatbed when we got it from Pete, not really much to it, just simple,” said Kuzminski. 

“With his help we boxed it out and made a wrought iron frame, welded together and then slotted the wood in there.”

Once the box, the slotted wood and the doors were on, they brought it back to Victoria to finish the keg system and refrigeration components. 

The truck is currently equipped with four taps, with the possibility of adding two more down the line if necessary. Plus, they had the truck equipped to serve nitro beer, such as Guinness, cold brew and other stouts. 

Not only can the truck serve beer, but Evans and Kuzminski also said they will make pre-batched cocktails to serve straight from the tap if that’s what their clients want. 

Tap Truck VI has different rates for clients, depending on what their needs are, and say they work with clients to customize the taps based on what they want at their event. 

They source from most local breweries, as they have had experience working in the craft beer scene in Victoria and have connections with many of the region’s best producers. 

Tap Tuck VI currently has two events lined up. 

People can find them at the Light Em’ Up.TV After Dark Car Show at the Mayfair Shopping Center rooftop parkade on Saturday, June 27th, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

They will also be at Lyall Street Service’s 12th Annual Car Show that raises money for ALS on Saturday, July 11th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At both of the above events, they will be serving only non-alcoholic beverages. 

Now that they are fully functional, Tap Truck VI is looking to book up their summer with more car shows, weddings, family reunions, outdoor concerts and basically anything that could be made a little more fun with some cold beverages straight from the tap.

Click here for more information on Tap Truck VI, or to book them for an upcoming event.