Juan Moore trash can kegerator

[JuanMoore]

My BIL is leaving the Marines after 23 years, and I was asked to brew some beer for his retirement party. I really didn't want to (or have the time to) bottle enough beer for such a large event, so I needed something to bring to San Diego to serve kegs from. Drawing inspiration from Biermunchers original trash can kegerator, as well as the other great creations here, I set out to make my own. My original idea was to use a 65 gal HDPE barrel, since they're cheap, easy to find, durable, and the right size. My wife however didn't care for that idea aesthetically. How a garbage can is more pleasing to look at than a barrel is beyond me, but I'm smart enough not to argue. After a bit of searching I found a suitable garbage can she approved of, and started the build. Other than the trash can and 2 of the shanks, I used mostly stuff I already had laying around, so the out of pocket cost was pretty minimal. The top and coffin are made from scraps of birch plywood and scraps of mesquite flooring. I'll just let the pics explain it, but let me know if there are any specific questions-

 

[JuanMoore]

And the finished product:

My BIL found out that I was going to bring homebrew, and designed some Marine themed labels. I think he assumed that I would be bringing bottles.

I didn't want the label designs to go to waste, so I made him some tap handles out of empty bottles and printed his label designs onto some photo paper and glued them on. I plan on letting him keep them as souvenirs.

 

[1KD1]

Great job. I can only hope that I have friends and family that care enough to go through this kind of trouble for any event in my life. Congrats to your BIL and thank him for his service from all of us here at HBT (or at least all of us that like Americans).

 

[KIAKillerXJ]

Looks great. You could also do like a dark navy blue fabric skirt just to wrap the outside of the trashcan and hide it too. Like $2 in fabric.

 

[wolfpackguy]

this. is. awesome! great job

 

[JoeCap09]

Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[HopSong]

Great idea for the spill over tray.. I neva wuda thunk.

 

[ivanabeerman]

You're wife sounds like an amazingly awesome woman with exceptional taste. Maybe you should listen to her more often, cuz that **** turned out tight.