Red Bus Brewing Company — Restaurant in Folsom

Showed up the first time with my empty growler. Late afternoon on a weekend, 4-5 ppl in the parking lot. Owner and a few friends enjoying their time together out there as well.

After entering the bar, I asked what the ibu range of the 4 IPA’s on the board were only to be told - “I don’t know” with no effort to learn and find out. No issue, so explained I preferred low ibu IPA’s and the bar person shared which ones were “juicier.” So we spent another minute or two comparing their preference of the two Hazy’s only to be asked upon my selection if I was in the “Club?”

Uhm, “no” I replied and was told that because they had too many cans in the beers I wanted and I wasn’t in the “club” they couldn’t fill my growler and sell me either of my 2 preferred beers on the board. So I picked another, the Harvest, went home and really enjoyed that beer. A somewhat malty but well balanced Harvest style and heady IPA of 6.5% and unknown ibu’s.

Upon final reflection of my experience and as a review - RedBus is a “cute 5 BBL shop” with I suspect is some reasonable beer. But given the misguided attempt to sell cans instead of what I asked for, I’m not sure I’ll be back too soon. In my 4 decades of going to breweries (several hundred at this point) I’ve never seen “clubs” in a 5 BBL shop trying to drive the sale of a form factor for the breweries benefit over the customer...especially at a premium price of just over $18/.5 gallon. If they were out of those beers on tap, that’s one thing, but they were not. I suspect the “club” would not only have given me access to the beer I wanted , but likely more reasonable pricing although I’m not sure...Interestingly, growlers of all available fresh beers are only a mile away, less than $18/.5 gallon and you have the choice of cans or growlers without a membership or being required to join a club.

Anyway - message to owner/operator - give your customers the choice they deserve - especially during this terrible pandemic - to pick up the beer they want, in the form they want, without having to join some silly club you are marketing to influence your own desired outcomes. Unfortunately, this is not West Coast Zymurgy Craft...

A stroll along an unassuming neighborhood street reveals this little brewery, tucked away! As the first brewery in the Folsom city limits since the mid-1800's, Red Bus are making a magnificent mark on this rapidly growing city. Took a seat at the tire lined bar in a vibrant Volkswagen themed room with tags as lights and the tail-end of a VW wagon sticking out of a wall. The hum of the neighborhood vibe was fueled by no TV's (YES) and just a buzz of great conversation, laughter, and a feeling of a place where everyone knows your name. And Steph behind the bar - knew pretty much everyone who came in and everything about the beer! Sampled the fresh on tap Fastback Pale Ale (like a wee slice of lemon meringue pie) , the popular with the public Jetronic IPA, popular with the staff California Caravan ESB, and ended up with a 5W-40 Porter. All absolutely delicious - perfectly balanced and clearly brewed with care and love! Get yourself here, chat with the locals and with Stef...and leave with a crowler of yum (they have 6-packs too). And if you are lucky - you might get a wee message on your crowler too! Looking forward to coming back soon! Get here...it's not to be missed! ...

I try desperately to enjoy my visits but honestly the folks working the counter are plain rude at times. Maybe its a timing issue as when me and my wife visit, normally during the record/vinyl sales semi monthly it's pretty busy. The interior is fun, cool VW vibe all around. Beer is pricey as anticipated but ok , they have alot of fun events and music but damn. Been here 4 times and the last two have been tough. The impression I get is the people working the counter are just not happy to be working or something. I feel as if I am bothering them by ordering. I have had one really good experience here, one middling and two crap. Guess I'm a glutton for punishment. I want to support local business, especially a small brewery, but there are so many other options locally where it feels like your time and money are valued. Sorry upfront to the owner, you have a cool place but your folks make it...