New Kelowna business brings the beverage bar to you

A couple of Okanagan entrepreneurs have started a new form of party truck, just in time for summer.

Scott Adams and Quentin Thiesen are ready to bring the bar to your small gathering of 50 persons or less this summer, with ‘Tap Truck Okanagan,’ a mobile bar with customized taps that can serve local beers, wines, champagne, prosecco, coffee, tea and more.

The two began operations just two weeks ago, serving the entire Okanagan.

“We ended up getting the truck just when the COVID-19 restrictions started,” Adams says. “We’re now taking bookings for weddings, parties, backyard events, corporate events, whatever we can fit in."

The restored,1957 Chevy panel van with a built in draft system, allows Adams and Thiesen to serve up to six different draft beers, ciders, kegged wines and cocktails.

“Our goal is to promote things produced in the Okanagan, including local wineries, breweries and distilleries,” Adams says.

The business originated in San Diego and is now in 25 cities in the United States under Tap Truck USA.

Adams says he and Thiesen are the first operators in Canada.

“They built the truck and restored it, and we bought it off of them,” he explains.

The business is available throughout the Okanagan. Adams says they have had inquiries for weddings as far away as Hope for next year, and they have been spending the past few weeks visiting Okanagan vineyards, wineries and distilleries to introduce themselves.

“We haven’t hit them all yet, but we’re working our way down the valley,” Adams says. “We’re taking bookings for next year, which is a good sign. Everyone who has inquired so far is limiting their event to 50 people."

People interested in the service can contact Adams at 250-864-6523, or through the Tap Truck website.

Adams says customers will need a special events liquor license.

“In effect, the customer is renting bartenders for an event, where we provide the truck. The customer can pick whatever beverage they like and we go from there,” Adams says.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.