After browsing all of the keezer and bar builds on the site for the past year or so Ive decided to pull the trigger and finally build one. My favorite so far is definitely Hoppopotomuss knotty pine keezer build https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/knotty-pine-cedar-log-keezer-build-223902/. The look of the cedar is absolutely amazing and the live edge on his bar is super cool. I decided to blend the 2 together.
Originally the plan was to build a straight keezer with a live edge slab of cedar and cedar siding as well. I found an 8 slab for $250 on Craigslist that Im going to book match to achieve the desired width. The slab is going to overhang the freezer by a few feet and I hate to ruin such a nice cut of cedar so I will be building a bar now with a space for the freezer to fit into. Scored a freezer off Craigslist for $50, it is 55.5 long x 27.5 deep and holds 9 kegs, a 20# CO2 tank, and room on the hump for bottles or a cask down the road for a beer engine. The slab will have hinges attached to the frame of the bar instead of using the freezer hinges. I figured it will be easier to move if we move out of our current house.
The draft towers are giving me the most trouble as far as design goes. I know what I want but I dont know how to build it yet. I would like to use 1 diameter cedar logs, maybe 2 tall as the draft towers. 2 towers with 4 taps each. Hollow them out somehow and run the lines through the inside of the log. Then attach the log to the top of the cedar slab. I cant figure out how to access the back of the shanks inside the log. It shouldnt be hard to attach them before securing the tower to the slab but what if I need access to them down the road for repairs, changing beer line, etc? My only ideas so far are building a trap door on the back of the tower but would like something more hidden. I thought about cutting the top like a pumpkin but not sure how I would make that cut. It would also need to seal so my cold air isnt escaping.
If anyone has a better idea Im open to suggestions. Going to pick up the slab, siding and logs on Friday and want to have a more permanent design down by then. Ill try and post pictures after work tonight as well.
Originally the plan was to build a straight keezer with a live edge slab of cedar and cedar siding as well. I found an 8 slab for $250 on Craigslist that Im going to book match to achieve the desired width. The slab is going to overhang the freezer by a few feet and I hate to ruin such a nice cut of cedar so I will be building a bar now with a space for the freezer to fit into. Scored a freezer off Craigslist for $50, it is 55.5 long x 27.5 deep and holds 9 kegs, a 20# CO2 tank, and room on the hump for bottles or a cask down the road for a beer engine. The slab will have hinges attached to the frame of the bar instead of using the freezer hinges. I figured it will be easier to move if we move out of our current house.
The draft towers are giving me the most trouble as far as design goes. I know what I want but I dont know how to build it yet. I would like to use 1 diameter cedar logs, maybe 2 tall as the draft towers. 2 towers with 4 taps each. Hollow them out somehow and run the lines through the inside of the log. Then attach the log to the top of the cedar slab. I cant figure out how to access the back of the shanks inside the log. It shouldnt be hard to attach them before securing the tower to the slab but what if I need access to them down the road for repairs, changing beer line, etc? My only ideas so far are building a trap door on the back of the tower but would like something more hidden. I thought about cutting the top like a pumpkin but not sure how I would make that cut. It would also need to seal so my cold air isnt escaping.
If anyone has a better idea Im open to suggestions. Going to pick up the slab, siding and logs on Friday and want to have a more permanent design down by then. Ill try and post pictures after work tonight as well.