“Muskoka, you’ve seen us around for the past five years, now you can call us neighbours,” says Brew Bus owner and founder Tim Martini. He’s invested in a Brew Bus to stay in Muskoka and serve Muskoka customers.

Brew Bus’s new high top 15-person Sprinter van will now be a permanent part of Muskoka, here to take groups on tours of Muskoka’s five breweries and other places too. The service will run year round and primarily operate private tours, with occasional open events.

Martini started Brew Bus five years ago in September, when his job as a travel show host was impossible due to Covid. From his travel background, he knows the value of people experiencing something out of the ordinary. “Take them away from their normal,” he says.

Martini wanted to take them outside their regular area. “I thought there has got to be a service that takes people from where they live, takes them to all these breweries and gives them a safe ride home.” Then he created it. Brew Bus is located in Newmarket, Bradford and now Muskoka. They will take you, your friends or a group of people on a brewery tour all over including trips like Greater Toronto., from Huntsville to Toronto, Guelph to Bowmanville, and Blue Mountain to Bobcaygeon.

The new Brew Bus is primarily travelling to the five breweries and the winery in Muskoka because visitors and cottagers are looking for that kind of experience. The tour cost is about $130 per person. Tours are available for fewer people but it will cost more per person. When the Brew Bus is available, it can also be booked for other trips including those from Muskoka to Toronto and back for something like a Jays or Leafs game.

Buying a Sprinter Brew Bus to be based in Muskoka made sense. “Seventy per cent of the business has been in Muskoka,” he says. For larger groups, a bus can still be arranged,

A Muskoka tour starts with a pick up at your location and ends with a return home, so you don’t have to drive. It usually includes visits to three different breweries, food and 2 drink tokens each (with the opportunity to buy more). The entertainment during the drive can include games like Useless Knowledge Beer Trivia and Tipsy Spelling Bee, featuring words that are hard to spell sober! “Karaokes may or may not break out on the bus,” says Martini. Brew Bus regularly visits Clear Lake Brewing Co., Sawdust City Brewing Co., Muskoka Brewery, Lake of Bays Brewing Co. and Canvas Brewing Co. and the Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery.

Each private tour is customized for the client. “Because of the working relationship we have with the breweries, it’s more personal,“ he explains. “We have insider knowledge.” If some of your guests don’t like beer, Martini says that’s not a problem in Muskoka as every brewery has alternatives.

Martini is looking forward to cottager weekday trips.”Especially, for those who want to do a couple breweries and then spend the day at the Muskoka Beer Spa and make their way safely back to their cottage,” he says.

With the new vehicle Martini can do bookings for groups of friends or businesses, such as The Kee to Bala or other attractions. “Resorts are interested in adding the Brew Bus tours to their experience package,” he says.

It’s the personal service and customization that makes Brew Bus different. “It’s not just a driver who drops you off and says, “Come back in 45 minutes.” The Brew Bus hosts are hands-on and make it a more personal experience. “We curate your Brew Bus tour to your needs and liking,” he explains. Each bus has a driver who acts as a guide, but obviously doesn’t drink. There is the option to add a host, who partakes with you for a more personal experience.

“We are really excited to be up here,” he says. Martini has travelled the world, lived both in Canada and the United States and only first discovered Muskoka about five years ago. Now he’s investing in the area.

As a visionary Member of the Muskoka Lakes Chamber, he hopes his business can work with other businesses for their common success. Brew Bus brings customers to Muskoka breweries, works with resorts and is looking for other partners too.

“Going to Muskoka, means you are going to relax and enjoy yourself. I want Brew Bus to be a part of that,” he says. “Let us create a custom Muskoka tour for you and your friends.”

To book a tour visit the website brewbus.ca or email [email protected]