I would also suggest you try and meet some brewers in you area and see if a brewout at one of their homes or even at a park. Here in AZ you can rent a ramada with electrical and water. You need a beer permit, only if you are drinking.
Then again, I live on a military base, or as I like to call it, a small gated community with armed guards.
I got a call from my homeowners association this weekend. In the message the woman says somethign to the afftect of "some people have noticed you brewing... something in the garage. Whatever it is, I think it's probably against fire safety laws and we'd like you to stop."
I called up my local fire dept this morning to get some info, and, indeed, an open flame within 10 feet of a structure is not allowed in a townhome setting like ours. He didn't say it was illegal, but if an inspector saw it they would make me stop.
I do not have a private yard large enough that would keep me 10 ft from a wall or fence, which means I'm moving operations indoors. Which means 2.5-3 gal batches since our stove sucks. Which means my banjo cooker and 20 gallon Blichmann are essencially useless to me until we move. This f'n BLOWS!
Time it rent a garage somewhere.
That really blows. I hate modern living. Rules up the ass and building so close together you can shake hands with your neighbor through the window while taking a **** on the toilet.
Usually these associations are headed up by a group of people that think they are the congress of the USA. Power mad I tell Yuh!
Well, you needed something brewing wise to spend your moeny time on (in between looking for a new house). Might as well be the electric brew rig.
If you want to get even, sit on a lawnchair in front of your unit looking like my avatar.
Bingo. That's exactly what the fire inspector told me. I contacted my HOA and they said, "oh, it's just beer." What the hell did you think it was, woman?!
Bingo. That's exactly what the fire inspector told me. I contacted my HOA and they said, "oh, it's just beer." What the hell did you think it was, woman?!
But I did ask her about grills, and she is aware. She said they put a notice in the monthly bulletin in the warm months reminding people not to use their grills within 10' of a wall. Not to say I don't see people using their grills in our tiny yards, but certainly no one would complain about that.
I guess this just means more small batches and more experimentation.
Screw 'em. Tell 'em you're Wiccan, and threaten a law suit against the HMA for religious discrimination.
Just one more reason never to move into a place with an overarching community "association" policing, monitoring and attempting to control it's residents. ridiculuous why people want to live in places like that.....
I live in a "place like that" with no problem of them "attempting to control" me whatsoever! Everyone pays a $70 a year fee and the HOA keeps the common area(s) mowed and landscaped and that's it! Not all associations are bad...I think the OP just has some snooty neighbors that like to complain. When someone complains then it's up to the HOA to do something about it and enforce the rules.
I say sit out these next few weeks when people start firing up grills and take pictures, then send a COPY of each picture to the HOA and DEMAND that they either put a stop to those people immediately, Allow you to brew, or you will be suing the HOA for Discrimination. And if all go wells, you'll catch Mrs Snot-ass herself or her husband.you can bet they're not leaning as hard on their friends who are grilling right next to their house.
That's still a direct violation of the same rule he's breaking. He's less likely to get caught, but you're still violating the same law while not standing up for yourself. But that's more important to some than others.I still don't see what's wrong with simply closing the garage door?! Dont forget some ventilation. Out of site, out of mind...
I think the definition of "open flame" needs to be clearly defined.
In my town, open burning is not allowed. In my case, that applies to an open pile of debris (limbs, leaves, construction debris, etc), burning anything in a drum (55 gallon barrel) and such. Burning wood/sticks in a fire pit, isn't frowned upon. I'm sure if I started throwing leaves in and stinking up the place, prompting a neighbor to complain, it probably would be frowned upon.
All that said, I maintain that using a cooking device for the sake of cooking - and that is what you are doing - is NOT open burning. Just a gas grill has grates, a grill, and a lid over the fire, a propane "fish cooker" has the grill around it, and (usually) a pot over the top of it.
I'd seek clarification, probably by way of continuing to brew until someone really wanted to challenge me on it.
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