MONTAGUE — Chad Champoux is blending his passions for craft beer and unique vehicles, after he felt inspired to make a brewery on wheels while watching a TV show.

Champoux has been involved in the brewing industry since 2012 and currently works at Hitchcock Brewing Co. in Bernardston. But the idea for the “KEIgerator,” also known as “The Tiny Tap Truck,” popped into the Montague resident’s mind after he watched an episode of “The Trailer Park Boys” in which one of the characters, Bubbles, delivers beer in a truck.

Although Champoux didn’t originally think everything would come together, his plans eventually fell into place.

“It’s been a fun project,” Champoux said. “I didn’t think the series of ideas would come together like it did.”

The KEIgerator is now available as a dry hire rental service for brewing companies that are interested in having an outdoor alternative to serve their own drinks, as well as for weddings, private functions and other events.

Champoux had help from his friend and avid woodworker Dan Baer, who works alongside Champoux at Hitchcock Brewing Co. as a manager. Additionally, Champoux got help staining the barrel-shaped cover of the truck from friend Chris Fontaine. The vehicle was built to look like a wooden whiskey barrel covering the truck bed, to create a compartment large enough to store five kegs. Construction finished in June.

The KEIgerator’s first outing took place on July 27 at Pioneer Valley Brewery in Turners Falls. The KEIgerator will take another trip to Pioneer Valley Brewery on Aug. 24, and will be at Apex Orchards in Shelburne on Aug. 18.

The KEIgerator gets its name from the vehicle it was adapted from, a 1990 Suzuki Carry Kei mini truck, combined with the term “kegerator,” a small fridge designed to hold a beer keg. Kei trucks, manufactured in Japan, are small enough to fit into the keijidosha class of vehicle that follows certain size and weight regulations. Thus, Kei trucks can be up to 11.2 feet long and 4.8 feet wide. Kei trucks have increased in popularity in the automobile market around the world as a smaller, cheaper alternative to larger trucks.

Champoux has always had an interest in unique vehicles. He first discovered Kei trucks in 2019 at the National Truck-In event held at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield, where thousands of van and vehicle enthusiasts gather. After searching online, he was able to find and buy a 1990 Suzuki Carry in July 2023.

“I got the itch and just really wanted to get one,” he said of discovering Kei trucks. “I’ve had Japanese vehicles most of my life so it just kind of made sense.”

The KEIgerator includes five faucets, also known as taps, that are connected to beer kegs inside of the truck-bed compartment. Champoux explained the beer kegs are inserted in buckets of ice and the taps attach to the kegs through insulated draft lines to keep the beer cold.

“I wanted to combine my passions of love for weird cars, craft beer and events,” Champoux said. “As I have discovered already, just driving it around catches a lot of different people’s attention.”

For more information about the KEIgerator, visit keigerator.com.