Has anyone ever heard of a place where all the general sturdy equipment for home brewing is provided, a membership fee is assessed and breakable, non-shareable equipment is personally owned?
I'm considering attempting to design and build such a facility, assuming I can get enough interest from brewers in Columbus. I figure that there's quite a bit of equipment that is useful, but expensive and whose costs and utility would be increased by sharing.
I also envision lockers being made in a room that is kept via AC at 70F and with other rooms/walk-ins at lagering temperatures, set up similarly.
I'd also like to provide large 27 gal fermenting vessels that would be rented, so that people could make large brews for special occasions without having to commit to the equipment cost and forcing themselves into constantly utilizing the equipment to make their investment worthwhile.
Brewing would be done with time slots allotted for various equipment/stations.
Sanitation solutions would be free and you'd be required to clean the equipment.
What would effectively be a home-brew store would be on the premises. That portion would probably be open to the public, but prices would be higher for non-members.
Please let me know what you think of this; if you would be interested, what you would pay for a yearly membership if such a place were available near you, etc.
I'm up in Toledo, so if this goes somewhere, think about allowing guest passes. I could see doing this once or twice a year for maybe $25 plus the ingredients that I would buy there.
I'd take my wort with, so I wouldn't need the locker piece of the equation.
Yeah I was already considering guest passes. I figure if you were coming in with a friend who has a membership they'd be cheaper than if you were a non-member.
I think it's a great idea, but you really ought to check into the legal issues. I don't know the laws in Ohio, but I suspect you'd probably have to be licensed as a microbrewery.
OK, I live in columbus, and was just trying to find something like this, let me know.
:EDIT: I'd pay 25.00 or so plus buying the ingredients. I believe there is a place ib Dublin, near the zoo, that does BOP for wine. I'll see if I can find anything. Maybe he would have some insight for you.
:EDIT: The Winemaker's Guild 6528 Riverside Dr Dublin 43017 614-791-9583
I think it's a great idea, but you really ought to check into the legal issues. I don't know the laws in Ohio, but I suspect you'd probably have to be licensed as a microbrewery.
If its more of a club idea, I doubt that. Its a group of people who own a bunch of equipment to make beer. I've heard of clubs buying a wine barrel as a group to cut down on costs.
__________________
Primary:
Kegged (aging):
Kegged (Drinking): Cider
Bottled:Devil May Cry 10-10-10
On Deck: Berlinerweiss, more cider
Planning: Mild Follow me on Twitter
I think it's a great idea, but you really ought to check into the legal issues. I don't know the laws in Ohio, but I suspect you'd probably have to be licensed as a microbrewery.
+1 on that. Very interesting idea though. Good luck, and post your progress on here. I've had an idea of doing something similar, but start up capitol isn't available to me right now.
If its more of a club idea, I doubt that. Its a group of people who own a bunch of equipment to make beer. I've heard of clubs buying a wine barrel as a group to cut down on costs.
It's not the equipment, but BREWING on the equipment in a fixed retail location open to the public that probably needs a license. Even if it's a co-op, you're operating a business that needs to follow local and state laws for business licensing. One might be able to get around the requirement for the beer part if you don't pitch the yeast on premises, but even if you could squirm your way out of that you'd still be on the hook for being licensed to sell/produce food, go through health inspections, etc.
Homebrew Co-op Club
Linear Mode
