Barebottle Brewing – Iconic Vintage Citroen HY Mobile Bar

• Vintage Citroen HY
• 22 ft long x 6’4” wide x 7’6” tall
• Hardwired 110V with Integrated Breaker Panel
• Integrated fresh/grey holding tanks with high-volume demand pump

• 12-Tap Micromatic Draft System: Commercial-grade beverage dispensing setup.
• Wall-mounted mini-split A/C unit for interior temperature regulation.

When Barebottle Brewing Company, one of San Francisco’s most reecognizable and community-driven craft breweries, secured a new location, they needed a compelling way to activate the nearby pedestrian plaza.

They needed a high-visibility mobile asset that could command attention in a crowded San Francisco space while still fitting within the footprint and weight limits of the zone. The solution was a fully restored, vintage Citroën HY van, converted into a high-capacity mobile taproom.

For a brewery that prides itself on a massive, rotating menu of craft IPAs, sours, and lagers, a standard two-tap kegerator was out of the question.

We engineered this compact Citroën to house a heavy-duty, multi-tap stainless steel T-bridge draft tower.

Accommodating that many independent craft lines in a vintage shell requires meticulous internal plumbing, CO2 management, and commercial refrigeration to ensure every beer pours perfectly without foaming, even during peak rushes. We paired this industrial stainless setup with a custom-milled wooden roof marquee and fold-down serving counter to maintain Barebottle’s warm, approachable aesthetic.

This truck was not an initial succes – over two months at sea and time idling at the port of departure and arrival did a number on the paintjob and the Coolbot that keeps the interior chilled.

Together with the client, Karpatia immediately stepped in, took ownership, and fully remediated the finish and function to the necessary standards.

Today, the truck is a massive success, serving as the anchor for their plaza activations and a highly requested asset for private event catering. It stands as a testament to both Barebottle’s incredible craft beer and our commitment to client success.