CHICAGO — In the bustling atmosphere of a Critical Mass bike ride, where colorful characters roam and creativity flows, one individual stands out: Lydia Miller, known affectionately as the Pint Peddler.
With her blue oversized tricycle, complete with a large black metal box mounted on the back, Miller has created a mobile bar experience that adds a festive touch to community events.
The box contains two taps serving from four kegs, a boom box pumping out lively tunes, and an eye-catching neon sign that reads “Drinkers with a cycling problem.” Another brightly colored sign boldly states, “PINTS TO THE PEOPLE.”
On a recent Saturday evening, Miller distributed free pints in Logan Square before embarking on a 10-mile ride to a beach party in Rogers Park. The selection of drinks she offered included a traditional cider, a refreshing mango rum beverage, and a nonalcoholic seltzer flavored subtly with cardamom.
Miller’s journey as the Pint Peddler started with a vision to enhance the Critical Mass experience, a monthly bike ride aimed at reclaiming city streets and fostering a sense of community and fun.
“Pints to the people” represents the democratic ethos Miller embodies. She believes in sharing her creations without the constraints of commercialism.
“I give it up for free because I don’t want to deal with the business side and this is more for fun, as a community thing,” Miller stated. “Critical Mass is meant to be enjoyable and should not be filled with people trying to sell you products all the time.”
A passionate homebrewer living in Ukrainian Village, Miller initially experimented with mead before moving to ciders and beer. However, due to celiac disease, she can’t taste her brews, making the brewing process uniquely challenging for her.
“I brew every week, and I hope that one person or a group of friends cannot drink five gallons a week. It just sort of spiraled from there,” she explained. Miller’s love for cycling complements her brewing hobby.
Her journey to create the ultimate party bike began with a fateful determination to attach a five-gallon keg to her old Schwinn. The initial attempts led to a shaky ride, prompting Miller to invest time and effort into refining her creation.
With help from friends, she obtained an old Divvy bike with an attached trailer, which had previously been used for bike repairs downtown. Incorporating an electric bike motor and a box that once advertised Swedish chocolate, Miller’s innovative designs took shape.
After continuous adjustments, including discovering the horizontal keg configuration and experimenting with different silicone tubes, Miller worked towards improving the pour quality on her mobile bar.
Dealing with the challenges of cycling and maintaining a good pour led to her unique strategy: using slightly flat beers to compensate for shaking during rides that would otherwise create excess foam.
Not just a brewer and cyclist, Miller thrives on creativity and exploration of various hobbies. Her love for vintage, neon-colored clothing from the 1980s reflects her vibrant personality, matched by the eclectic playlists she curates for her bike’s speakers.
In addition to her day job as a technical designer for a clothing brand, Miller enjoys a variety of activities at Pumping Station One, a volunteer-run hackerspace in Avondale where members can learn and experiment with multiple crafts.
“It’s more of a social club with tools,” Miller noted, indicating how she interacts and collaborates with others at the makers’ lab. Her willingness to learn and utilize resources is evident, as she has even acquired welding skills to cut out speaker holes for her bike and consulted fellow members for amplifier advice.
In one of her charming ventures, Miller expressed a desire to canoe down the river ahead of the Great River Parade. Together with friends, they acquired a 14-foot fishing boat from Facebook Marketplace, painted it in bright colors, and completed the fun activity, despite being inexperienced in rowing.
“We were zigzagging,” Miller laughed, highlighting the hilarity of their attempt at navigation.
An avid learner and self-described serial hobbyist, Miller continuously innovates and upgrades her Pint Peddler project. “There are always different renditions, and I’m always working on it,” she shared, underscoring her commitment to evolving her mobile brewing experience.
As an enthusiastic participant in community events, Miller was excitedly preparing for the upcoming Chicago Midnight Marathon Ride on October 11, an event where cyclists ride the race route under the stars before the actual marathon.
Miller prefers to announce her next rides and pop-up events through social media and word of mouth rather than adhering to a strict schedule, allowing her to maintain an element of spontaneity in her Pint Peddler adventures.
For anyone interested in following her endeavors, Miller shares experiences and updates through her Pint Peddler Instagram account, inviting fellow cyclists and community members to join in the good times she offers with her unique brew—and her infectious spirit—on the road.
image source from：blockclubchicago
