Photo: Isuzu Commercial Truck of America
Isuzu NRR doubles as a beer delivery and serving truck.
Isuzu NRR doubles as a beer delivery and serving truck.
Isuzu NRR doubles as a beer delivery and serving truck.
Isuzu NRR doubles as a beer delivery and serving truck.
Isuzu NRR doubles as a beer delivery and serving truck.

Isuzu crafts beer truck for booming industry

April 10, 2019
The company worked with a craft brewer to develop a truck that can be used for deliveries and at live events to promote the brew.

The craft beer industry has been in a red-hot growth pattern for the last five years. Since 2014, craft breweries have more than doubled and, according to the Brewers Association, the craft brewing industry contributed $76.2 billion and more than 500,000 jobs to the U.S. economy in 2017.

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America developed a craft beer truck in collaboration with Supreme, Delivery Concepts and Bottle Logic, an Anaheim-based craft brewer.

Many of these brewing operations are small businesses that brew and deliver in their surrounding communities. To promote themselves, they will often take part in local music festivals, street fairs and other live events that draw festive crowds. They quickly find themselves in the dilemma of requiring a dual purpose vehicle — one to make their regular deliveries, and one to promote their brewery at live events.

To showcase how a craft brewer can maximize their investment in their delivery truck, Isuzu, Supreme and Delivery Concepts, Inc. developed a craft beer truck built with the quality and durability to make deliveries, and which can also be used at live events for promoting the product.

The chassis is an Isuzu NRR with a 150” wheelbase and a robust 19,500-lb. GVWR to accommodate heavier payloads. The Isuzu low cab forward design features a 49.5-degree wheel-cut angle for exceptional maneuverability, allowing drivers to make deliveries and set up displays in tight quarters that cannot be negotiated by conventional cab trucks.  Outstanding visibility allows drivers to see the ground within eight feet of the front of the truck, and an 85-degree door-swing angle means entry and exit are easy for deliveries and set-up that are faster and more efficient.

The NRR is powered by Isuzu’s 5.2-liter turbocharged diesel engine which generates 215 horsepower and 452 lb.-ft. of torque, for a combination of fuel economy and performance with a B10 durability rating of 375,000 miles.

“The combination of economy, power, maneuverability and low cost of ownership, made choosing the NRR as the basis for our new craft beer truck a no-brainer,” said Steve Napolitano, co-founder and president of Bottle Logic. “We can’t wait to put this truck to work for us.”

After reviewing Bottle Logic’s operations, Isuzu, Supreme and Delivery Concepts, Inc. created a body equipped with:

  • A 16-ft. Supreme Kold King insulated body (16’L x 91”H x 96”W) that is cooled with a Thermo King 680R with electric standby.  This setup will provide ample space for kegs and crates while keeping the product refrigerated. The electric standby gives brewers more flexibility in loading the truck in the evening for the next morning’s delivery, all while keeping the product cooled.
  • A 2,500-lb. Maxon TE25L tuck-away liftgate with side steps to help ease loading and unloading during delivery. E-track has been mounted on the interior of the body at a special height to secure kegs during transit.
  • Two 24” x 24” toolboxes (one on each side) store tables, chairs and event material.  A 15-ft. overhead retractable awning provides shade for servers and customers alike. When at live events, this will make set-up and operation a cinch.
  • Of course, a tap system! The driver’s side of the body has an 8-tap beer station integrated into the side with a 10-gallon overflow tank and a special mounting on the body’s interior for the CO2 manifold. Covering the taps on the exterior is a locking door that swings up to serve as a menu board. LED lights illuminate the taps to provide a clean hi-tech appearance.

This truck will be showcased at the 2019 Craft Brewers Conference in Denver, CO, this week. It will go into service with Bottle Logic following the show.

About the Author

Fleet Owner Staff

Our Editorial Team

Kevin Jones, Editorial Director, Commercial Vehicle Group

Cristina Commendatore, Executive Editor

Scott Achelpohl, Managing Editor 

Josh Fisher, Senior Editor

Catharine Conway, Digital Editor

Eric Van Egeren, Art Director

Sponsored Recommendations

Tackling the Tech Shortage: Lessons in Recruiting Talent and Reducing Turnover

Discover innovative strategies for recruiting and retaining tech talent in the trucking industry at our April 16th webinar, where experts will share insights on competitive pay...

Stop Sweating Temperature Excursions

Advanced chemical indicators give you the peace of mind that comes from reliable insights into your supply chains. Compromised shipments can be identified the moment they arrive...

Stop Sweating Temperature Excursions

Advanced chemical indicators give you the peace of mind that comes from reliable insights into your supply chains. Compromised shipments can be identified the moment they arrive...

How Electric Vehicles Help You Prolong the Life of Your Fleet

Before adopting electric vehicles for commercial/government fleets, prioritize cost inquiries. Maintenance is essential; understand the upkeep of EV fleets. Here’s what you need...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!