Inside the Shipping Container Brewery Everyone in San Mateo Is Talking About

Fieldwork Brewing didn’t just open a taproom in San Mateo. They transformed a vacant lot into a vibrant community hub by building it out of repurposed shipping containers, proof that you don’t need traditional construction to create something extraordinary.

Location and Layout

Located at the corner of Curiosity and Delaware Street, this is the only Fieldwork location built entirely from shipping containers. The entire complex is constructed using three modular 40-foot units: one houses the main bar and office, another is fitted with a few roll-up doors for open-air seating, and the third is a fully functional ADA-compliant restroom.

The setup was craned into place in a single morning, keeping 80% of the lot open for outdoor seating, bocce courts, and fire pits. This minimalist footprint maximizes space and makes every square foot feel intentional.

The Conex Culture Visit

As Conex Mike described in a recent visit for an episode of Conex Culture, a new video series and blog by Conexwest showcasing innovative uses of shipping containers, the design gives off a very open, welcoming vibe.

The automatic roll-up doors, heaters, and wide windows turn what could feel like a metal box into a modern, breathable space. Even on a weekday afternoon, the patio was filled with people enjoying themselves, proof that Fieldwork nailed the balance of function and vibe.

Conex Culture was created by Conexwest to highlight the creative and cutting-edge ways shipping containers are being repurposed into permanent architecture, mobile experiences, and retail spaces. This Fieldwork project kicks off the series with a perfect example of how these units can anchor both design and community.

Sustainability and Speed

Beyond the aesthetics, there’s real sustainability at play. Reusing shipping containers instead of building from the ground up can reduce embodied carbon by nearly 49% and cut energy usage in construction by over 40%.

Modular construction like this can also shave months off a traditional build timeline, meaning Fieldwork was able to go from concept to cold beer faster than most.

We may be biased, but using shipping containers for building things is just more fun than traditional means.

The Bar & Taproom Experience

The bar, which Conex Mike argues is the heart of the operation, is also housed in a 40-foot container and features around 24 beers on tap, depending on the season. According to the manager, Marshall, they often rotate the selections to keep things fresh.

The cold box is spray-foamed to meet insulation standards and rigged to a glycol loop, keeping the taps at the perfect serving temperature. Flip-up service windows and smartly placed conduit keep the design clean and fully up to code, all while embracing the raw industrial feel that’s become part of Fieldwork’s signature style. These custom modifications turned these containers into complete business solutions while still retaining their aesthetic.

Food & Community

And it doesn’t stop at structure. Fieldwork backs up its beautiful build with an impressive food and drink experience.

Guests can grab Detroit-style or Neapolitan pizzas, crisp salads, and a few solid kid-friendly options, crafted in a separate 40-foot kitchen unit that keeps the main containers focused on beer.

Conex Mike approved, the food is amazing and the beer is even better. The patio space is family-friendly, pet-friendly, and always buzzing, with long communal tables, games, and a layout that encourages conversation.

As co-owner Barry Braden puts it, “Our taprooms are gathering places.”

The Blueprint for Building Your Own

This location is a prime example of what happens when sustainability, architecture, and community come together. It’s not just a beer garden made of steel boxes, it’s a place where people gather, celebrate, and return again and again.

For breweries or restaurateurs thinking about doing something similar, here’s the playbook: choose a tight footprint, source ISO-rated containers, pre-fab everything offsite, and save the bulk of your lot for people, not buildings. And when you're ready, Conexwest can help you build the core modules so you can focus on what matters most: creating something people want to be part of. Explore our container-based project gallery at conexwest.com to see how others are bringing their modular visions to life.

Fieldwork Brewing’s San Mateo spot isn’t just a container project, it’s proof of concept for the future of experiential hospitality. And for those following the journey of Conex Culture, this is just the beginning. Conex Mike and the Conexwest team will continue uncovering the most impressive container builds across the country, and showing how you can do it too.