Anyone ever make Beer Bottle Shelves?

celtic_dude · 01-24-2009, 03:53 AM

Since I started brewing my own beers I have aquired a new taste for beer. I no longer can sit and enjoy a Yuegling lager or a Miller light like I used to before. Now I find myself at the local bottle shop dropping $100 on like 10-12 12oz bottles of good beer. In doing so, I have kept every bottle of every new beer I try. I am now well over 400 bottles and I am looking for different ideas on how to store and show them. My first thought is to construct shelves around my basement bar to show them off. I am not sure if it would be best to start with a few shelves on one wall of to put shelves up around the bar. Has anyone else done anything like this? If so any pictures? Thanks

**kappclark** · 01-27-2009, 10:30 PM

I did something in the basement - the CAT climbed up and knocked off 2 bombers...

I hate cats.

Recommend a cat-proof shelving system

**ShortSnoutBrewing** · 01-27-2009, 10:36 PM

I made some "floating" shelves out of an old door to help me display my bottles. Need to put up some more shelving, but this gives you an idea of what I'm talking about:

**mosyslack** · 01-28-2009, 12:49 AM

How did you attach the shelves to the wall?

Boerderij_Kabouter · 01-28-2009, 02:10 AM

I did this in college with my roommates... not what you are thinking. We were very into beer and it is about all we did apart from school. All told we had 2150 bottles when we moved out after 2 years. It was a good two years.

My bits of advice:

1. Nice shelves will make your beer collection look legit whereas cheap ones will make it look silly and non-serious. I made oak shelves, routed a nice edge on them and sized them according to bottle sizes (bombers, 12 oz., etc.). If you are building the shelves yourself, take the time to do it right, you will be glad you did.

2. You will never have enough space. Even if you look at the shelf you are about to put up and think...'I am never going to have that many bottles' get the next size up, because you WILL have that many bottles.

3. If I had a chance to do it again, I would build or buy shelves with a front door or cover. Probably just some 1/8 plexi or something so I could seal them in and avoid the dust collection that bottles become over time.

4. Have fun with your collection! We spent our time discussing great brew and rearranging our collection in all sorts of ways. This is a great way to keep current on the beer scene and to remember what beers you like don't like ad so on. Plus it is a great talking point.

Cheers!

**ShortSnoutBrewing** · 01-28-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosyslack

How did you attach the shelves to the wall?

There is a 1" x 2" or so strip along the wall. I cut up an old, hollow door, pushed back the cardboard inards of the door and slipped that right on to the wood strip bolted to the wall. Then screw the shelf into the strip from the top. Painted these to match the wall and added some decorative trim to dress it up a little.

You can Google DIY floating shelves and find more detailed instructions.