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Date: 2/4/2021
SOUTHWICK – While many, if not all, events were cancelled in 2020, Westfield River Brewing Company decided to expand their business by taking their services to backyards with a mobile beer truck.
About five years ago, Westfield River discovered a Ford F50 in Georgia, and had it shipped up to Massachusetts.
Sergio Bonavita, owner and brewer of Westfield River, said, “We ripped the bed off, framed, and insulated it. It looks like a barn.”
With the intention of expanding and providing, beyond the 73 acres of land behind the brewery, they started serving at concerts, Bonavita explained.
Between 2016 and 2019, the mobile beer truck served about 100 weddings. In 2020, there were 30 weddings booked, however, the pandemic canceled them.
Bonavita told Reminder Publishing that this lost the company a substantial amount of revenue.
For some time, everything seemed to be “knee jerk” and “last minute,” Bonavita claimed. Their industry has had such little time to prepare with the lack of consistency and constant change in state wide regulations.
“People said we want to get married in our backyards, where it won’t get shut down,” Bonavita stated. Westfield River realized that if this was the new trend for 2021, they needed to hop on board.
Beginning in May, Westfield River will travel to any backyard event in Massachusetts or Connecticut, with more than 50 people in attendance.
On site, Westfield River has a sister company, Tobacco Road Distillers. Bonavita said they fall under their serving permit and liquor liability-traveling together on the truck. Through the brewery, they serve all the beer, cider and seltzer. Whereas the distillery serves bourbon, whiskey and vodka. Their liability covers any and all people they serve. Neither are allowed to offer wine, so if someone wants wine at their party, they can serve it on their own, shared Bonavita.
While weddings can be very stressful, Bonavita said, “People are excited to have this aspect handled.”
Prior to COVID-19, Westfield River explained they have always taken sanitation seriously. All glassware is washed thoroughly before use. Bonavita said they provide plastic ware if requested, however there is an upcharge.
All employees both on and off the truck take proper PPE precautions. In terms of individual locations, they follow state orders at the time of the event. Attendance at events is not controlled or regulated by Westfield River, stated Bonavita.
Currently, there are several weddings in the books for 2021, along with a full wedding slate that is available on site.
Westfield River hopes and needs revenue to double down in 2021.
Bonavita said, “I am thankful for people who are still willing to attend and for all of the support from the local community.”
For additional information, visit www.westfieldriverbrewing.com.