Introducing the Hopworksfiets: Beer, pizza, music, and true Portland spirit, all on one bike
Posted by Elly Blue (Editor) on September 15th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
(Photos © Elly Blue)
I just witnessed the unveiling of something truly in the Portland spirit: A locally built cargo bike that holds two kegs below an inlaid wood bar. A rear rack is built to hold a stack of pizzas; below that a wood-paneled pannier is in fact a compact sound system.
It’s made in Portland. And it’s beautiful.
Described as a “pub bike,” or a “mobile party,” this human powered machine was built by local box bike builder Metrofiets specially for Hopworks Urban Brewing (HUB) and will make its first public appearance at the company’s free Biketobeerfest celebration this Saturday.
The bike follows the basic Metrofiets design of a long body, with a cargo carried in the front. The cargo container is a metal keg bucket which holds two full sized kegs and 25 pounds of ice. Beer from the kegs run through a 50 foot cooling coil and then to your glass via two taps (made by Shimano and Chris King) which protrude from a wooden bar inlaid with HUB’s trademark lightning bolt.
and Chris King
A large, square rear rack is designed to fit a stack of pizza boxes. Below the rack is a sound system “pannier” with another lightning bolt inlaid wood panel casing and a speaker. The bike sports HUB’s colors, matte orange and black.
This party is entirely human-powered, with the help of nine gears — any more would allow a rider to go faster than would be entirely wise, explained Ross. Sturdy looking disc brakes and chunky tires with full fenders adorn both wheels.
When fully loaded with pizza, beer, and ice, the bike should just about meet Metrofiets’ 400lb weight limit. Still, Ross is recommending that the bike be transported with pony kegs, and refilled with full-sized kegs on the scene.
The bike was conceived over the course of casual conversations this summer between Hopworks founder Christian Ettinger and Metrofiets owners Phillip Ross and Jamie Nichols. The idea quickly escalated; then the friends began paring it down to a buildable concept and began lining up support.
The bike is a group effort. Ross and Nichols designed and built the bike. Damon Eckhoff inspired the sound system and did much of the wiring. Metropolis Cycles (2249 N Williams) built the wheels and provided general bike shop support. Michael Moscarelli of local brewing supply company F.H. Steinbarts did the beer plumbing; local high school biology teacher, homebrewer, and woodworker Gregg Heppner created the bar top and sound system shell. The bike’s components (including the tap handles) were donated by Chris King Components and Shimano.
Ettinger still has big plans for the bike’s future. A second sound pannier will allow music to be played in stereo; a solar panel cover for the pizza rack will power the sound system and a string of LED lights around the base of the bar, making the bike fully self-sufficient.
new seasonal “Bike Beer”
As if the bike isn’t enough, Ettinger plans to unveil his new, seasonal Bike Beer this weekend. The first season’s offering is an organic Pacific Northwest style IPA. It comes in bottles branded with a bike chain motif and the words “Ride your bike,” and features a Portland bike fun event calendar on the back.
The beer was brewed specially for the upcoming Oregon Manifest, and will be the event’s exclusive beer. Its broader intent is to promote Portland’s unique bike culture. “We’re seeking a cross-pollination between the bike and beer cultures,” Ettinger explained.
You can expect to see this season’s Bike Beer at various stores around town in the next month. And keep your eyes peeled for a party on wheels — HUB expects to be bringing its new steed to various bike events year round.
Here’s a photo slideshow of the bike and its happy creators:
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September 15th, 2009 18:27
It's important to mention the contribution of Damin Eckhoff http://pdxfuntime.com who not only inspired the sound system but helped Metrofiets design and wire it. Thank you Damon!
September 15th, 2009 18:31
someone stab me because this has to be a dream
WOW, insanely impressed
Hats off to the guys at Metrofiets and Hopworks
September 15th, 2009 18:37
and so the circle of life continues - one of the original uses of these "long john" style cargo bikes, 100 years ago, was... yup - hauling kegs for breweries.
September 15th, 2009 18:40
Just added Damon to the story. And wanted to add a congratulations to the team that made this happen -- this sort of thing really is how bikes begin to replace cars in the public imagination, and to do it better.
September 15th, 2009 19:09
This is the coolest rig I have ever seen. Well done... I want to ride it.
September 15th, 2009 19:12
I will trade my car for this bike!
September 15th, 2009 19:52
My heart is aflutter...amazing work, everyone! But here's my question: will these great minds be taking the pub bike out on one of the Cycle Wild outings?
September 15th, 2009 19:59
I sort of want to cry with happy! This is all good things in one place/vehicle. I soooo wish I could go to the biketobeerfest - I'm sure it will be there!
September 15th, 2009 20:35
Very cool. But won't there be a lot of foam to pour after riding the kegs to various locations? Hopefully this works as good as it looks.
September 15th, 2009 20:37
whoa. I can't wait to see it at Bike-to-beer fest on Saturday!
September 15th, 2009 20:51
No Stokemonkey? What a glutton for punishment.
September 15th, 2009 21:06
Foam and mmm-mmm....warm beer. At any rate, it's a commendable effort.
September 15th, 2009 21:28
@Schrauf & @wsbob
Mike over at F.H. Steinbart is a master at building draft systems. He is confident that beer foam will be kept to a minimum with the way he built the draft system.
Of course, there is only one way to find out! Come to the BiKETOBEERFEST September 19, 2009 Noon to TEN pm and see for yourself.
September 15th, 2009 21:46
Cheers to Phil, Jamie, Gregg, Dave, Damon, Mike, Chris King and Shimano for making "Beer Pedaler" a reality. This bike has many miles and thousands of organic pints in it's future. See you at HUB on Saturday for the unveiling.
September 15th, 2009 22:43
This is over the top awesome! What a great piece of work. Nice going guys! This takes Portland bike innovation to a new level. Love it.
September 16th, 2009 05:53
dude! whoooaaa!! Off the charts, man!
September 16th, 2009 05:56
[...] September 16, 2009 at 5:57 am I have climbed yonder high mountain and I have seen the other side and it is fucking beautiful! definitely hard to top this one. [...]
September 16th, 2009 07:28
That might be one of the ten coolest things, ever. What a great piece of ingenuity!
September 16th, 2009 08:24
man do you people lead sheltered lives
;-)
September 16th, 2009 08:53
i so look forward to biketobeerfest! I already love HUB and this just kicked it even more! See you all there.
September 16th, 2009 09:06
Damon Eckhoff is the same guy that led the PDXfuntime Bike Karaoke ride during Pedalpalooza, right? He built a sweet sound system/karaoke machine for that. "Bike Boombox Builder-Guy" is a cool niche.
September 16th, 2009 09:07
Umm, hate to be the party pooper, but isn't it illegal in Oregon to transport tapped kegs or to even transport kegs and have the ability to tap them during transport. I thought I remember some local brewpub chains running into this problem when transporting their kegs from one pub to another.
September 16th, 2009 09:16
that bike is made of 100% pure awesome.
September 16th, 2009 09:32
Can we borrow it for the Midnight Mystery Ride??
September 16th, 2009 09:35
[...] The Ultimate Pub Bike (Bike Portland) [...]
September 16th, 2009 12:01
Do you need a liquor license for that thing? How cool would it be to ride around Portland and set up bar where ever? Can't wait to see that thing in action!
September 16th, 2009 12:01
[...] BikePortland.org » Blog Archive » Introducing the Hopworksfiets: Beer, pizza, music, and true Port.... [...]
September 16th, 2009 14:40
They could make it better by actually loading it with a decent beer.
September 16th, 2009 14:42
On the same note as Joel above (#3), a bar called the "Slippery Noodle" in Indianapolis still has the ramp intact that allowed such bicycle deliveries to be made directly up into the bar.
And they have a great Corned Beef...
September 16th, 2009 15:19
They've been doing this in Amsterdam for some time now. Their's is bigger though, so we need to catch up!! AND, they have a covering for when it rains...HELLO that is so Portland. Get crackin guys
September 16th, 2009 19:14
For wsbob's concerns about warm beer.
"The cargo container is a metal keg bucket which holds two full sized kegs and 25 pounds of ice. Beer from the kegs run through a 50 foot cooling coil and then to your glass"
That's what's inside the diamond plate box under the kegs.
September 17th, 2009 00:31
yawn. i haul beer and a sound system (that will blow that system away) and free pizza on my tallbike all the time...
September 17th, 2009 15:09
deadbuny ever hear this quote?
“Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius.”
Just sayin'
September 17th, 2009 16:22
[...] Let’s hope Lance Armstrong will be available to pedal this thing around town. [Flickr and BikePortland via [...]
September 17th, 2009 20:14
[...] Let’s hope Lance Armstrong will available to pedal this thing around town. [Flickr and BikePortland via [...]
September 17th, 2009 21:51
@deadbunny...
“Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius.”
Just sayin'
September 17th, 2009 22:47
[...] The Hopworksfiets is a custom built bicycle bar. This cargo bike has it all: space for 2 kegs, inlaid wood bar, sound system and a rack to hold a stack of pizzas. It was custom built by Metrofiets (makers of cargo bikes) for Hopworks Urban Brewing, both in Portland, Oregon. This thing is a real beauty, and a clear shoo-in for the Hall of Awesome. Read the whole scoop on BikePortland.org. [...]
September 18th, 2009 06:30
I would like to see a video of this bike being driven.
With the heavy weight of the full kegs up front, trying to balance, pedal and turn this Beer Bicycle Beast would be a huge challenge. And going up the slopes on the streets of downtown Portland with all that weight? - Good luck with the pedaling.
September 18th, 2009 08:30
I would totally date a guy with a bike like that!! (and that's sayin a lot b/c I am super picky! AND I don't even like beer!!) :o)
September 18th, 2009 10:04
Absolutely lovely - looking forward to a test ride followed by refreshment!
Seems like only yesterday we were crawling around in front of Peets under the old workcycles bakfiets with your camera and tape measure. ;-)
September 18th, 2009 10:26
@ oldreed #33 and #36 - Gee do you think that was really intelligent enough to have to say it twice.
like I said before, you people sure lead sheltered lives, especially if you think this is groundbreaking news
Just a friendly reminder from your beleaguered editor to steer clear of personally-directed comments. Stick to the topic on hand. Thanks, folks. --Elly
September 18th, 2009 11:21
Idea is quite old in Holland we got this http://www.bike4fun.nl/2004_0409Image0045.JPG
nevertheless the pizza rack is solid gold :-)
September 18th, 2009 14:30
[...] [via BikePortland] [...]
September 18th, 2009 15:01
[...] Link via Gizmodo [...]
September 19th, 2009 06:31
[...] Beer, pizza, music…all on one bike in Portland. [...]
September 19th, 2009 21:15
[...] Bike Friday, September 18th, 2009 | Cool Stuff, JFI1 Cool Stuff Complete with wood bar, kegs on tap, pizza rack, sound [...]
September 21st, 2009 01:37
1. Awesome!
2. I'm amazed that 2 wheels is enough! would think that it takes some speed to keep it steady!
September 21st, 2009 08:24
[...] bike built by Portland, OR bike-maker Metrofiets for Hopworks Urban Brewing (h/t Joe Cortright). BikePortland provides full technical details.The bike follows the basic Metrofiets design of a long body, with a [...]
September 21st, 2009 08:24
[...] bike built by Portland, OR bike-maker Metrofiets for Hopworks Urban Brewing (h/t Joe Cortright). BikePortland provides full technical details.The bike follows the basic Metrofiets design of a long body, with a [...]
September 21st, 2009 14:14
[...] Link via Neatorama Posted by buildandcreate Filed in Tech, bike, design, food, music ·Tags: beer, bike, metrofiets, oregon, party, pizza, portland Leave a Comment » [...]
September 21st, 2009 18:18
Wow. Guess I'm late to the party, but how about a shout out for the bike shop that actually put the thing together and made it pedal and brake. Oh, and built the wheels.
September 21st, 2009 19:50
@metropoliscycles
CRUD!!!!!!
Sorry Metropolis! If it wasn't for Nathan and crew at Metropolis Cycle Repair the Hopworks Bike would not rocking and rolling around PDX.
Metropolis is Amazing and puts up with ALL SORTS of bad behavior from Metrofiets, with grace and aplomb.
You can see for yourself at
2249 N. Williams Ave., between Tillamook and Russell, in Portland, Oregon.
OR visit them online - http://metropoliscycles.com/ on Williams
They rent bikes too!
September 22nd, 2009 10:43
Thanks Metrofiets. Looking forward to the next build. See you in Vegas!
September 22nd, 2009 21:41
[...] reader (thanks Scott) forwarded this great post from [...]
September 26th, 2009 08:31
Right mates! but is it bloody legal?!?
September 27th, 2009 00:14
Sweet.
September 27th, 2009 23:15
Awesome.
However, somewhat more awesome, though probably far less homegrown, is the pedal pub / bier bike. Check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp1G3JoGcZU&feature=related
September 30th, 2009 07:51
Very nice,
in holland we have something like this for a long time.
it is called a "bierfiets" it is a bar/bike for 10 person
October 7th, 2009 09:26
[...] this and this, are appearing all over the globe. A wonderfully quirky addition to the scene is the Hopworksfiets party bike, a brilliant mash-up of human-powered pizza delivery, brew pub, and portable [...]
October 9th, 2009 05:25
[...] Introducing the Hopworksfiets: Beer, pizza, music, and true Portland spirit, all on one bike [Bike Portland via Inhabitat] [...]
October 9th, 2009 15:25
[...] Introducing the Hopworksfiets: Beer, pizza, music, and true Portland spirit, all on one bike [Bike Portland via Inhabitat] [...]
October 9th, 2009 16:49
[...] are appearing all over the globe. A wonderfully quirky addition to the scene is the Hopworksfiets party bike, a brilliant mash-up of human-powered pizza delivery, brew pub, and portable [...]
October 12th, 2009 17:54
[...] http://bikeportland.org/2009/09/15/introducing-the-hopworksfiets-beer-pizza-music-and-true-portland-... [...]
October 22nd, 2009 06:56
[...] to you. I’m increasingly inspired to make that trip now, though, since apparently you have beer bicycles that ride around to parties and make everyone feel happy to be [...]
October 28th, 2009 07:59
[...] in the new Cold War of beer/bike technology. It’s only a matter of time until we get our own Hopworks-style Bike Bars in the Midwest. I think we still would have gotten that the guy in the video was a biker; he could [...]
December 2nd, 2009 14:37
This is really amazing and deserves a lot of appreciation. I want to congratulate Damon for this wonderful piece of work and wish him best of luck!
December 3rd, 2009 06:05
Woh. cool bike: music, beer, pizza all in one: http://bit.ly/3T8y3e
December 7th, 2009 07:26
Perhaps the coolest thing i have seen in a while, Booze Biking? http://bit.ly/2t8srb
December 7th, 2009 10:20
[...] a custom cargo bicycle for a floor refinisher to carry his sander, and another for a brewery to transport their beer kegs. And they’re not the only ones predicting a rise in business cargo [...]
December 7th, 2009 11:25
@hbgeek http://bikeportland.org/2009/09/15/introducing-the-hopworksfiets-beer-pizza-music-and-true-portland-spirit-all-on-one-bike/
December 7th, 2009 11:26
RT @kaj: @hbgeek http://bikeportland.org/2009/09/15/introducing-the-hopworksfiets-beer-pizza-music-and-true-portland-spirit-all-on-one-bike/
December 7th, 2009 15:56
Philip Ross: living the dream man http://bit.ly/7IwkmY
December 7th, 2009 17:11
I think I just spotted @VeryRedBike's next bike: http://bit.ly/5t8VSV
December 7th, 2009 19:06
one bike carries two kegs, several pizzas, jukebox, and even a small bar counter http://bit.ly/7vHS25 #fb
December 9th, 2009 06:22
@BrianR Cool idea. You do the ice cream and I'll handle the beer! http://idek.net/ksv
December 11th, 2009 06:52
http://bikeportland.org/2009/09/15/introducing-the-hopworksfiets-beer-pizza-music-and-true-portland-spirit-all-on-one-bike/
December 16th, 2009 22:25
[...] a custom cargo bicycle for afloor refinisher to carry his sander, and another for a brewery to transport their beer kegs. And they’re not the only ones predicting a rise in business cargo [...]
December 31st, 2009 16:38
Just heard from J. Maus that the @HopworksBrewery bike story took the #1 spot for traffic on @bikeportland in 2009!!! http://tiny.cc/3qG2Q