Vantigo
A Unique Bay Area Beer Lover’s Tour Experience
San Francisco is a very short distance from some of the best vineyards and wineries in the world but beer lovers know that the Bay Area is also home to some of the best beers and breweries in the world. If your tastes in liquid refreshment tend more toward malt-based beverages, then San Francisco’s Vantigo beer tours may be just the ticket for seeing and drinking the best of San Francisco and the Bay Area. Vantigo is simply a beer lover’s bus service, where up to six passengers are transported to breweries in and around San Francisco in a 1971 Volkswagen bus. The company was started by two longtime Volkswagen lovers who also enjoy hoisting a pint of agreeable craft beer on a regular basis.
On most days of the week, Erik, the driver, tour guide, raconteur and co-owner of the business take up to 6 passengers on an idyllic tour of the area’s breweries. Currently, they offer three unique beer-sampling tours, which include:
- Nor Cal Brew Tour
This tour includes stops at Iron Springs Brewing Company, Lagunitas Brewing Company and Marin Brewing Company. Guests get a behind-the-scenes tour at one of the breweries, along with tastings at each brewery, craft beer to enjoy between stops and a late lunch at the Lagunitas Brewing Co. - Highway 1 Brew Tour
This tour begins with a meet and greet with the brewers, along with lunch, at the Hop Dogma Brewing Company. Tour guests then head to Highway 1 Brewing to sample their unique spin on classic fermentation techniques and continue on to Half Moon Bay Brewing Company. Complimentary tastings occur at each brewery. - San Francisco Brew Tour
This tour focuses on three fine San Francisco breweries: 21st Amendment Brewery, Magnolia Brewery, and Speakeasy Ales & Lagers. Guests begin their tour by enjoying lunch with the first tasting at 21st Amendment and then continue on, with Erik regaling them about San Francisco history and beer lore between stops.
Reservations are required for each tour and participants must be at least 21 years old. While the tour packages are pre-arranged, Vantigo does offer guests some latitude on which breweries are included. If passengers would like to substitute one Bay Area brewery for another, that may be possible depending on logistics, scheduling, etc. Prices for each of the tours vary somewhat, but to learn more about each beer tour and make a reservation, visit the company’s official site at http://vantigosf.com/.