It's official starting my own brewing business!

[Brewskys]

Good Luck Bro! Cant wait to see your pics!

 

[JUST_BREW_IT]

I was actually going to post an update things have been slow but now that winter is over its picked up. I started building my walk in cooler I will have pics up soon. I did brew A LOT and drink A LOT had lots of folks over and gots lots of great feedback on my stuff.

We got our hop rhizomes in and are planting them and making the trellises for our beer garden.

There is a Fransiscan (sp?) Friary here in the next town they actually operate a fairly legendary bakery called the Friar's Bakehouse in Bangor. I was invited to the Friary for the sunrise Easter service. Just so happens the Friars are into brewing and starting a brewery themselves. Different from mine in that they want to sell to stores and bars. They are in the middle of the licensing process right now and during the potluck breakfast after the service we talked beer, I tried some of theirs and I picked his brain about a few things and he agreed to meet with me in the future to walk me thru the process.

I dd find out that Yes you cannot have a residence connected to a brewery. The Friars tried and tried to get around this to no avail. We knew this might be the case and when it's time my "residence" will just move 3 miles away to my GF's house. He told me quite a bit of interesting stuff already. He did say it's a PITA but you just get thru it and yes its a process but its not that bad especially if you are 100 barrels a year. I felt really good after talking to him and am glad I will have him as a resource when I go thru it.

Also we hope to start cutting the camp road and campsites soon. I am working on getting a friend who has a back hoe to come in and do the work in exchange for the wood and we would pay for the diesel.

I will post pics of the walk in soon.

P.S. I love all the people who say I can't do this and I can't do that and that this is a train wreck yada yada yada. Just motivates me more and I will laugh last and laugh hardest.

Unfortunately I feel like this is the first of many hardships you are going to experience with this endeavor. It's too bad because it would have been awesome to live right there. Then again maybe it will be a good thing to have a place to go home to that is away from the craziness of the business. After all, we all need respite from our passions from time to time (Even Ron Jeremy takes days off ).

Take this with a grain of salt as everybody does things a little bit differently However, I too have an education in BUS MGT (and other fields) and I know the most responsible and necessary thing for carrying out a long term venture like this is to have a very solid business plan, mapping out expenditures and scheduling the development of your venture. It would have been a pain in the backside but you at least would of had a guide (from the looks of this it would have been a couple hundred page Bus plan but it would have at least been mapped out). You're just kind of bouncing around, doing things here and doing things there. You are essentially giving away your product from the sounds of it (I get trying to perfect your recipes with feedback but man, thats money down the drain). You have completely put off checking into Fed/State/Local req'ts. Your initial post(s) stated that you planned to be open for business last fall or this spring at the latest. From all I have read and researched regarding this matter you are at least going to be 6 mos out and probably more with the legal process that must take place prior to getting the licenses necessary. All's I'm saying is you could have potentially been in business by now if you would have done the legal work first, got the establishment open with some type of revenue flowing in, then worked on the details as time progressed with this added revenue flow helping fund this. If you would focus all of that energy, and man you've proven you have plenty of it, you could be an EXTREMELY successful entrepreneur.

I'm not a hater man! I'm honestly not! I'd love to see you succeed! It just seems like you refused to take advice from guys on here that have been down the road you are traversing and it is going to end up costing you a substantial amount of time before this investment can start generating revenue for you......................... I don't really see anyone busting your balls here. They are just trying to get you to open your eyes to the legal side of this and you have just absolutely refused. Ultimately you will be the one to pay but you can't say these guys didn't try to help.

I hope this turns out the way you want it and I hope you don't take my words as harsh, for if I ever make it up that way I would LOVE to visit. But man, buckle down and go all the way with this. It would truly be a sight to see and you will have successfully differentiated yourself from 99% of all other brewpubs in the US because there will be VERY few like yours.

Best of luck and get focused. Eye on the prize!

Oh and I would pass around the tip jar (with a wink ) before pouring your friends their first drink.

 

[Boar Beer]

You know sometimes you just gotta jump in and learn how to swim. Studying it to death is not the way some people do things

 

[oneandahalfshepherds]

You know sometimes you just gotta jump in and learn how to swim. Studying it to death is not the way some people do things

I am not much for drowning, just sayin

 

[JUST_BREW_IT]

You know sometimes you just gotta jump in and learn how to swim. Studying it to death is not the way some people do things

I know he didn't choose to take out a loan to do this like 90% of entrepreneurs do and kudos to him but for the rest of the world that does, " studying it to death" aka developing a business plan, is a requirement prior to procuring the funds to undertake an operation like this................. why not plan and be prepared?

 

[rawlus]

I'd rather defend and support the right for the guy to do what he wants in the way he wants than be the one to tell him how he should do it.

He's working things out in real time, he's solving the problems as they happen because he chooses to, to make it more enjoyable to him, or because he does not want to take the hobby part out of the business just yet. We've all heard the stories of people who make their hobby their business (I like to cook so I opened a restaurant! Now I hate running a restaurant...) maybe he's choosing to keep the hobby/enjoyment alive for as long as he can... It's his choice.

I think solicited advice is cool. I think telling someone they're doing it all wrong, and suggesting they pursue their dream the way you'd pursue yours is a bit overbearing. He's been clear its a casual thing, developing as it goes, he's got no loan over his head so his progress is dictated by him alone. I think that's cool. I don't think he's said, I don't know what I'm doing, I'm in over my head, someone tell me how to do it. He's just sharing his approach. I wish their was more support for him in this than "advice"



Nobody is going to jail over this, it's not a crime against humanity or anything. It's a very frugal, practical, DIY type Maine thing. And that's ok. Really.

 

[Willie3]

It is a long hard road but one well worth venturing to fulfill dreams! Keep the good fight going!!!

WW

 

[unclevername]

I'd rather defend and support the right for the guy to do what he wants in the way he wants than be the one to tell him how he should do it.

He's working things out in real time, he's solving the problems as they happen because he chooses to, to make it more enjoyable to him, or because he does not want to take the hobby part out of the business just yet. We've all heard the stories of people who make their hobby their business (I like to cook so I opened a restaurant! Now I hate running a restaurant...) maybe he's choosing to keep the hobby/enjoyment alive for as long as he can... It's his choice.

I think solicited advice is cool. I think telling someone they're doing it all wrong, and suggesting they pursue their dream the way you'd pursue yours is a bit overbearing. He's been clear its a casual thing, developing as it goes, he's got no loan over his head so his progress is dictated by him alone. I think that's cool. I don't think he's said, I don't know what I'm doing, I'm in over my head, someone tell me how to do it. He's just sharing his approach. I wish their was more support for him in this than "advice"



Nobody is going to jail over this, it's not a crime against humanity or anything. It's a very frugal, practical, DIY type Maine thing. And that's ok. Really.

Awesome stuff. I gotta admit I had a different take till I read your post. You are right. What this country needs more of is ruged individualism. Good stuff.

 

[Cape Brewing]

He's just sharing his approach. I wish their was more support for him in this than "advice"

Nobody is going to jail over this, it's not a crime against humanity or anything. It's a very frugal, practical, DIY type Maine thing. And that's ok. Really.

I don't THINK I, personally, have been critical other than simply making the suggestion that he figure out the applicable regulations before he build out a full brewery, although I think others have been more direct with some criticisms.

The TTB not allowing a brewery to be part of a residence is a perfect example of what I've been trying to point out. That's not a "Maine thing". It is a Federal regulator that, if you want any other part of this to be legal, has to be satisfied first.... and they don't are how laid back Maine is. You can't have a brewery as part of a residence.

I haven't paid that close attention but i think I saw that the solution to this would be that he would simply move off the property. When we filled out our TTB brewer's notice docs, we needed to supply a deed or executed lease on the property along with all of zoning info from the town. Whether you live there or not has zero to do with whether it is zoned as "residential". The town has to zone the property as such. Maybe it is already zoned appropriately. Maybe in Maine, they're just rubber stamp a re-zoning. I have no idea. My point all along as simply been to check that stuff out before building the entire thing out... Because... maybe it isn't zoned right for the Feds and for some oddball reason the town can't change it. Now you have a big full brewery that took a lot of time, effort, and money... That will simply be a really cool homebrew rig.... Which doesn't really strike me as being "frugal" in any way.

And that is ONE thing (TTB residence thing). We had a couple dozen of those types if things pop up before we opened. Given the headaches we had, having someone who had gone through it give us advice on were the landmines were and how to get around them would have been the best possible support we could have gotten.

Unfortunately, thats been largely met with "F U commie from Mass we are from Maine where we do it our way". So.... Ok. Have at it. I am looking forward to some pictures and hopefully swinging through someday and having a pint with a side of crow.

 

[akthor]

*sigh*

And from the very beginning I have stated that I am building what I am building because I want it for me not just because I want a business. I said from the very beginning if I start the business and I fail worse comes to worse I have a cool place to brew and drink beer.

I want an all grain brewing setup, I want a brew room, I f@cking need a f@cking walk in cooler! Not sure about other folks but being able to only carb 4 kegs at a time is a royal PITA!

Hence the not borrowing money. Quitting my job. Blah blah blah. People act like I'm turning my life upside down and risking a whole bunch of resources by doing it this way. I find it to be the exact opposite doing it like this. It seems that those who have succeeded found it to be some sort of horrible, stressfull experience. Sorry if I refuse to participate.

I do what I want when I can if you flat landers want to call it a stupid Maine thing then whatever.

Had my gf's graduation party this weekend she just completed nursing school. Had BBQ and I had the trashcan kegerator out serving brew and cider had many compliments and enthusiastic endorsements. One of my neighbors is on the planning board and is all for a nano and a campground.

Rained all weekend will try and post some pics today.

 

[Boar Beer]

I am with you 100% We brewed for 3 years in a big home brew way before getting our license. Had lots for fun, gave away lots of beer, and learned a lot.
and .....Never borrowed any money.

 

[akthor]

So here is the back yard we are turning into a beer garden. We need another 3 sections of perforated pipe for the drainage ditch. We are having gravel and loam brought in this week to level it out then we will move the hops near the drainage ditch. trellises (sp?) will go up 8 feet then over and up to the house with the goal of making a hop canopy of sorts. Slate pavers will go on the gravel and loam in between with Irish moss planted in it. We hope to get everything except the pavers done this weekend.

You can see how we temporarily planted the hops. There are 5 varieties.

 

[akthor]

Next the walk in. I need to get more insulation for the floor and ceiling. I have the sheathing. Still trying to figure out what to do for a door. I missed out by like 15 mins a guy giving away 3 glass walk in doors on Craigslist

So the plan insulate the floor and ceiling put the sheathing on 3/4" ply for the floor and 3/4 in OSB for the ceiling. Then frame in the wall the door and AC unit go in. Insulate and sheath it. The I will be gluing some 1/4 foam that I got for my wooden hotub project, it's used between the walls and liners in pools, all over the inside. I plane to use that knobby plastic stuff they sell by the 4x8 sheet at Lowes like the stuff they use in walk ins on top of that for the walls and ceiling and put some sort of rubber flooring on the floor.

The space will be about 6' x 6' x 7' I will have some sort of shelving in it to utilize all the space.

 

[Cape Brewing]

Totally agree on the debt piece... we didn't borrow a dime, not even a dollar on a credit card, and we all have our full time jobs.

Good luck on the walk-in. I have the exact same design in my house for my personal bar, although a little but smaller (pics in my gallery). I could offer one bit of advice but I learned that lesson!

Good luck

 

[JUST_BREW_IT]

totally agree on the debt piece... We didn't borrow a dime, not even a dollar on a credit card, and we all have our full time jobs.

Good luck on the walk-in. I have the exact same design in my house for my personal bar, although a little but smaller (pics in my gallery). I could offer one bit of advice but i learned that lesson!

Good luck

lol

 

[akthor]

Sorry I just realized the pics were sideways

 

[Schumed]

unsubscribed

 

[NickTheGreat]

I'd love to do this in the future. Though, I think my smoking and brewing will both need to be stepped up. I will visit this if I'm ever in Maine

 

[akthor]

Actually if you used an AC unit wiring directions would be appreciated

Totally agree on the debt piece... we didn't borrow a dime, not even a dollar on a credit card, and we all have our full time jobs.

Good luck on the walk-in. I have the exact same design in my house for my personal bar, although a little but smaller (pics in my gallery). I could offer one bit of advice but I learned that lesson!

Good luck

 

[Cape Brewing]

Actually if you used an AC unit wiring directions would be appreciated

For mine (only saying that becuase I'm not 100% positive this will translate to whatever AC unit you get/have)...

When I popped the front off the front of my AC unit, I could tell where the hots were to both the fan speed dial (on/off/lowfan/high fan) as well as the "thermostat" which was nothing more than a radial dial from low to high...

I simply disconnected the hot from the "thermostat" and wired that through a temp controller that I could bring down to 40 degrees accurately and plugged that in totally separately.

I then kept the on/off/etc switch wired as-is and plugged that in... creating two separate plugs; one for on/off and one for the actual temp controller.

I leave my AC fan on 24/7/365. I had an ancient unit I did this with first and that fan ran 24/7/365 for a few years and then I replaced the unit with a brand new one about 9 months ago and that fan has been running 24/7. The reason you keep the fan going is that, when temp warms up and the compressor kicks on, you WILL get at least some level of frost on the coils... hopefully the AC unit will chill the space quickly, the compressor will kick off, and if the fan is going, it'll, very quickly defrost the coils.

It simply helps the AC unit from freezing up (you're number one issue with walk-ins like this).

Another solution is buying a Chill-bot... I've heard really good things about them but they are a bit pricey. I've never used one.

The other thing is... and I think you said you were going to do it... but you NEED to put as air-tight a vapor barrier as you can in that thing. I lined mine with 6mm plastic and made it as air tight as possible. If you don't the walk-in will draw moisture right through the wood and your AC unit will freeze up on you constantly (I learned that the hard way).

 

[akthor]

Yeah I dont have any interest in a cool bot either. My plan was to rewire it and either build a temp controller or use a johnston controller like on my keezer. I had planned on having some sort of fan running 24/7 because I have read about the cois freezing. Your solution of wiring the fan separately and keeping the fan in the AC on is one I haven't read about and is pretty ingenious. I have three AC's to choose from and one of them is not digital and has knobs so I will try this with that one. Thanks!

I am with you on air tightness. I actually think I will also paint the entire inside with this insulating paint stuff we used on the interior and exterior of the house. Ceramic stuff you add to the paint. Worked wonders on the tightness of the house. So paint, foam, then the plastic sheathing with all the seams and corners caulked should be pretty airtight.

What did you do for a door? That's the last real thing I need to figure out. I keep searching for an actual walk in cooler door. No luck yet.

 

[Cape Brewing]

just framed in a simple door and got it as tight as I could into the framing... and then used weather stripping around the entire frame when it closes, it closes air tight. Seems to have worked fine.

 

[MMBB]

This is a great thread. Also, I love Maine! I haven't been for a few years but the itch to go is coming back.

 

[wherestheyeast]

Good luck to you! I appreciate your willingness to continue to share.

This has been an enjoyable read. Please keep it up!

-WTY

 

[two_one_seven]

Here is the deal I think you set the readers expectations wrong. If you had started with the I am building a large scale home brewery and then worked into the nano brewery business then I would have loved the thread. As it is I am disappointed with the progress. I wish you luck but honestly it doesn't look like you will make it to the commercial stage. You lack of dealing with regulatory issues will be your undoing. Sorry to be so blunt but it's the truth.

 

[bluenose]

Could you use a door from a standup freezer? It's already built for the purpose, even though it's not a full size mandoor

 

[techbrewie]

just finished reading all 42 pages. holy moly this is awesome! good luck man!

One thought. where I live we havea place that does 42 beers on tap, 5 different burgers, chips and fries. they only serve beer and hard cider. what ended up happening was that the burgers turned out to be so damn good people would come just for the food.

Their solution was to serve craft rootbeer (1818) on tap which is hands down the best root beer ive ever had. just an idea to keep any clientele happy that love the food and atmo but for some reason need to stay sober. plus a craft rootbeer would probably be super fun to do imo.

Just saying again, this is totally awesome.

 

[Erroneous]

just finished reading all 42 pages. holy moly this is awesome! good luck man!

One thought. where I live we havea place that does 42 beers on tap, 5 different burgers, chips and fries. they only serve beer and hard cider. what ended up happening was that the burgers turned out to be so damn good people would come just for the food.

Their solution was to serve craft rootbeer (1818) on tap which is hands down the best root beer ive ever had. just an idea to keep any clientele happy that love the food and atmo but for some reason need to stay sober. plus a craft rootbeer would probably be super fun to do imo.

Just saying again, this is totally awesome.

Serving homemade sodas is also great for customers with kids if you want to allow for that. I think as a camp ground it is something to consider.

 

[akthor]

Sorry if my progress is slower than folks would like. Time and money constraints are what they are. I work overnites which means I live like a vampire and work is limited to weekends. My 22 yr old son and his GF needed to move in with me recently. AND I had some car repair issues that drained the cash. What can I say life happens.

I will be getting the insulation for the rest of the cooler this weekend.

That is a great idea of using a stand up freezer door, or even a refrigerator door if big enough. When I go to get my insulation I will make a trip to the city dumps along the way and see if I can score one.

We do make root beer, using the syrup, sugar and water in a keg. Made some just recently for my GF's grad party from nursing school. It goes fast. Thinking of trying the recipe and adding beer yeast and letting it ferment out before kegging it to try and make some "hard root beer".


Our hop planting project has zoomed out of control. This is my GF's baby. I just wanted to grow hops and then this "beer garden" idea came up. Turns out my GF has always dreamed of having a German beer garden. So what was gonna be planting hops and running twine up the back of the house has turned into an 8' x 28' hop bed with 10" of gravel, 15" of loam (soil, dirt) and mulch on top not sure how much of that she wants. By the way this is all thanks to BobbyM's you tube videos that she found inspiration in. Also involves 10' steel poles, steel cables, etc. She has spent $400 in gravel loam and mulch alone, luckily we have friends in the dirt business who gave us deals. Also a waddle fence to enclose the raised bed which if you are not familiar with involves cutting down hundreds of saplings and trimming the branches off and weaving them between stakes.

This may sound like not big project but when all of this has to dug and moved by hand it is a lot of work. As my and my sons back arms and shoulders can attest. So this is the work so far. You can see the piles of gravel dirt and loam we are working with. We hope to have the bed and waddle done this weekend. Then we need to go to Vermont to pick up slate tiles that we are using for pavers with Irish moss in between them that will go between the house and hop bed. More gravel will have to be hauled in to level out the ground first

Hope to have finished pics of the hop bed and the completed shell of my cooler by the end of the weekend up.

 

[akthor]

Grrr having trouble posting photos.