Unveiling my brewery & garage build

[MaxOut]

Vary cool build! Love the open design. Congrats!!!!!

 

[fall-line]

How about collecting the rain water in a big drum? You could some cool things with free water.

Absolutely, it's in the plans. Good thought. I've got a 650 gallon cistern spec'd out for the space between the garage and the fence. There is room to add a second one as well in the future if we decide to. The thing is it's been so dry here in Seattle this summer (don't laugh, we've hardly had a drop of measurable rain since the middle of July), the gutters and cistern project haven't been on the front of my mind.

I'm looking forward to having a tank full of water to use in the garden next summer.

Here is the drawing showing the tank placement I had planned.

 

[fall-line]

Vary cool build! Love the open design. Congrats!!!!!

What an awesome Brew-space!

Agreed. Awesome build.

there should be a "like this thread" button, liking each of the OP's individual posts just won't cut it

Thanks, all! Comments like this make it fun to share my progress with you.

 

[static]

The thing is it's been so dry here in Seattle this summer (don't laugh, we've hardly had a drop of measurable rain since the middle of July)

We've had .03" of rain recorded at Sea-Tac airport since July 23rd. Usually my grass is pretty brown about now but even the weeds are dead.

 

[tom_gamer]

The rainy city isn't getting any rain? That's weird. I'm in Houston and we have had plenty this year, its so nice chance of pace from last year for us.

I about to get into it as well, thinking about using it for a hop garden.

Keep up with the updates.

 

[fall-line]

Well you may be surprised. We definitely get our share of rain in Seattle, but there are a lot of places in the country (including Houston) that get more rain than us every year.
http://average-rainfall-cities.findthedata.org/compare/249-267/Houston-vs-Seattle-C-o

Between July and September, Seattle is one of the driest major cities in the country.

Our reputation comes from endless days of gray overcast that seems to settle in around the end of October, and stay through May.

 

[hopsalot]

where did you get that black hosing you use to sparge with

 

[fall-line]

where did you get that black hosing you use to sparge with

Here you go:
http://brewhardware.com/accessories/114-mashtube

 

[hopsalot]

Here you go:
http://brewhardware.com/accessories/114-mashtube

thanks

 

[Rundownhouse]

Oh yes, closing the loop on the floor conversation. For better or for worse, I've decided to leave the floor untreated for the time being. If I decide in the future to finish it, I'll grind and polish it.

A clear coat in the brew area might be a good short term fix, but I'm not too worried about it right now.

I appreciate all of your input on this conversation. Many of you have garage floors that are nicer than mine, and I'm ok with that.. at least for now.

Just a heads-up, acids will etch into concrete pretty quickly, and they're everywhere in the brewery. Even your end-product is acidic, not to mention star-san, cleaners, etc.

The only thing worse than having to patch some worn epoxy is having to move everything out so you can repour your floor.

 

[commander flatus]

The rainwater collection is brilliant. More of us should be recycling cooling water, etc in our hobby. I like where this is going! Keep it up!

 

[tom_gamer]

The rainwater collection is brilliant. More of us should be recycling cooling water, etc in our hobby. I like where this is going! Keep it up!

Does running the hose into the pool count as recycling?

 

[fall-line]

Just a heads-up, acids will etch into concrete pretty quickly, and they're everywhere in the brewery. Even your end-product is acidic, not to mention star-san, cleaners, etc.

The only thing worse than having to patch some worn epoxy is having to move everything out so you can repour your floor.

It's a fair point and I appreciate it. I see a lot of folks on here brewing on untreated concrete, and it doesn't seem like it's been a big concern at the homebrew level. Anyone who has brewed extensively on bare concrete care to weigh in? I did do some reading up on how commercial breweries handle this though and while some report liking 'naked' concrete, many agree with you that a sealant of some kind is essential. Some states require it for health code as well.

 

[Rivenin]

BAM! nicely done sir... can i come visit?! i'll bring the brews!

 

[Ruckface]

I gotta talk the wife into letting me build a new "Garage" This is AWESOME!!

 

[Rundownhouse]

Anyone who has brewed extensively on bare concrete care to weigh in? I did do some reading up on how commercial breweries handle this though and while some report liking 'naked' concrete, many agree with you that a sealant of some kind is essential.

Yeah, commercially is the only experience with bare concrete I have, and within two years of concrete plus a sealant - but no epoxy or anything - we're already getting trouble spots in places like under the hx. Obviously if you're careful and not brewing every day, you can probably get away with it for years. Really, you're the person in the best spot to weigh the risks/costs. But even the big box sealants will provide some protection, and like I said, acids are more or less everywhere in the brewery, and can eat up concrete pretty quickly.

 

[davidr2340]

Our reputation comes from endless days of gray overcast that seems to settle in around the end of October, and stay through May.

Or the 4th of July!

My goodness... This build is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

Cheer from about 30 minutes north of you!

 

[hedbutter]

Subscribed.

 

[commander flatus]

It's a fair point and I appreciate it. I see a lot of folks on here brewing on untreated concrete, and it doesn't seem like it's been a big concern at the homebrew level. Anyone who has brewed extensively on bare concrete care to weigh in? I did do some reading up on how commercial breweries handle this though and while some report liking 'naked' concrete, many agree with you that a sealant of some kind is essential. Some states require it for health code as well.

I have bare concrete floor in my garage. It's fine after a few years of fairly active brewing. No problems. Epoxy looks much better though.

My only regret is not putting in a floor drain that ties into the subsurface drainage for the yard and gutters.

 

[fall-line]

The time for interior paint has arrived, and with them we are ALMOST DONE! (by my definition, being allowed to move my stuff in and brew whenever I feel like without being in my own way = done)

Taped, mudded, sanded, ready for priming.

Sad to have the brew stand covered during during prime brewing season, but it won't be long now until it's in regular use.

 

[fall-line]

One more piece of news to share with you, since the group had so much good input on this.. A decision I made earlier wasn't sitting well with me. After declaring the floor conversation closed, and that I would leave it untreated, I've changed my mind.

I'm picking up a floor polishing rental kit (diamond grinder, etc) on Sunday and going to town on my floor. I decided that while I had too many concerns with the epoxy option (welding slag, etc), one more day's work would be worth it for a beautiful shiny (and mostly waterproof) floor. So we are grinding, polishing, and sealing.

Anyone who is going to be brewing on Sunday, please raise a glass for me while I'm on step #14 of the grinding process!

 

[static]

While I won't be brewing I will raise a pint to your awesome brew house/shop. Keep up the good work.

 

[nugsfan]

This is incredible! Just finished reading the whole thing. I know I'm late to the party with this but just wanted to share my appreciation for all of this. Well done!

 

[Grossy]

One more piece of news to share with you, since the group had so much good input on this.. A decision I made earlier wasn't sitting well with me. After declaring the floor conversation closed, and that I would leave it untreated, I've changed my mind.

I'm picking up a floor polishing rental kit (diamond grinder, etc) on Sunday and going to town on my floor. I decided that while I had too many concerns with the epoxy option (welding slag, etc), one more day's work would be worth it for a beautiful shiny (and mostly waterproof) floor. So we are grinding, polishing, and sealing.

Anyone who is going to be brewing on Sunday, please raise a glass for me while I'm on step #14 of the grinding process!

So you are not going to use my idea? ... I can live with that.

I'm brewing a Pale Ale this week end, so I will raise a glass, look at my floor, and think of the epoxy coat it will one day have.

 

[DrunkleJon]

At this rate, pretty soon we homebrewers are going to be collecting outbuildings instead of freezers.

 

[fall-line]

So you are not going to use my idea? ... I can live with that.

I'm brewing a Pale Ale this week end, so I will raise a glass, look at my floor, and think of the epoxy coat it will one day have.

Well, you did help to inspire me to do at least something with my floor. The epoxy finish is beautiful, but there are too many what-ifs for me with it when it comes to welding, etc on it. The polished and sealed concrete is a beautiful look as well, with less potential downside for my uses.

 

[fall-line]

DrunkleJon, I did a serious double take when I saw your name. By way of a fortuitous freudian slip (of my making) at a gathering several years ago, my family has a "Drunkle Jon" too!

 

[Fordzilla]

Does your drunken uncle brew?

 

[fall-line]

He does not, but he appreciates my efforts.

 

[Grossy]

Well, you did help to inspire me to do at least something with my floor. The epoxy finish is beautiful, but there are too many what-ifs for me with it when it comes to welding, etc on it. The polished and sealed concrete is a beautiful look as well, with less potential downside for my uses.

Well maybe you can return the favor, and convince me to do the same.

What is involved in polishing and staining? I have a plan to convert my existing garage to a brewery. I do not weld, so the epoxy is not an issue. But I have seen some amazing stained concrete before.