Unveiling my brewery & garage build

[fall-line]

I've got a few more photos to share for those following my progress. I've been hesitant to post too much during this phase of the project, since most of the work I'm doing now is not directly beer/homebrew related. I am happily brewing behind the scenes though, and am please to report that my pipeline of beer (and cider) is stronger than it has ever been.

Decking material enjoying it's last ever opportunity to stay dry and warm indoors

Spent the day yesterday laying down the decking with my buddy the contractor.

Looking at this picture after the fact reminds me that I'm going to need to put some real effort into rehabilitating the lawn next to the deck come spring time. It's been seriously trampled at the worst time of year. I think it'll continue to be pretty ugly there until the first growth spurt of spring.

 

[ScotBrew]

Like you say, once that lawn comes in all lush an green you'll have an amazing space for cook outs and sharing your home brew with friends. V jealous!

 

[herc1354]

Absolutely AMAZING, looks good.

 

[fall-line]

Thanks, all. Lots more progress today. I'll get some more photos when I can.

 

[fall-line]

It's been raining like crazy in Seattle (shocking, I know), so today's update is taken from inside the sunroom.

 

[Dragonman]

Very Nice

 

[fall-line]

Minor update here, the ~20 year old squirrel cage fan that came with my reclaimed exhaust hood has given up the ghost. It failed on my during a boil a couple of weeks ago (90 minute boil IIPA) which i noticed when the building got very hot and very humid rather quickly. After letting it cool down and dry out for a day it seemed to be working ok, but it failed again on my during a boil this week.. It was time for it to go.

It has been replaced by a 400cfm in-line fan, similar to those used by many other brewers on HBT, which I hooked up directly above the vent hood. It's a bit louder, but moves a lot more air.

I had a feeling this was coming. In fact, this possibility is the primary reason I had not built the box around the top of the hood to conceal the pipe.

New Fan in place

I was asking a lot of this old fan. It did it's best.

 

[NewBrewB]

R.I.P. Old Fan.....

 

[Helly]

Awesome work, read the whole thread today and really enjoyed it. Time to start planning my 'shed' build this spring...

 

[Oldskooler]

I read the whole thread this morning, and Kudos to you for a great job on your "Garage" and the thread. Serious envy here.

 

[Sheldon]

All I can say is SWEET!!! Great job with the narrative and pics. Really jealous. Good luck going forward.

 

[Mtn_Brewer]

Minor update here, the ~20 year old squirrel cage fan that came with my reclaimed exhaust hood has given up the ghost. It failed on my during a boil a couple of weeks ago (90 minute boil IIPA) which i noticed when the building got very hot and very humid rather quickly. After letting it cool down and dry out for a day it seemed to be working ok, but it failed again on my during a boil this week.. It was time for it to go.

It has been replaced by a 400cfm in-line fan, similar to those used by many other brewers on HBT, which I hooked up directly above the vent hood. It's a bit louder, but moves a lot more air.

I had a feeling this was coming. In fact, this possibility is the primary reason I had not built the box around the top of the hood to conceal the pipe.

New Fan in place

I was asking a lot of this old fan. It did it's best.

That fan is very undersized for the apparent job. Everything I have read recommends 100 CFM per 10,000 BTU of output. Better get a CO detector.

 

[fall-line]

I agree that the calculations say I should have a fan about 2x the size. If I were to do it over again (or make a recommendation for someone starting fresh), I'd go with a 8" diamater pipe and a 700-1000 CFM fan. That being said, I have very little static pressure on the outflow of this fan since it vents straight up. The 400cfm unit works great, even at full boil. The CO detector (I've had one installed since day one) has never chirped and the fan has always been able to keep up with the vapor.

 

[cascadia]

fall-line, What kind of CO detector do you use?

 

[SDBreWs0624]

Looks sweet

 

[fall-line]

fall-line, What kind of CO detector do you use?

Pretty basic, I picked it up at Lowes here in N. Seattle (I see you are local):
http://www.lowes.com/pd_304230-347-CO605_4294722466__?productId=3031861&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1

It does the job, every time I drive my car in or out of the garage (which is rare) it goes nuts.

 

[fall-line]

Looks sweet

All I can say is SWEET!!! Great job with the narrative and pics. Really jealous. Good luck going forward.

Awesome work, read the whole thread today and really enjoyed it. Time to start planning my 'shed' build this spring...

I read the whole thread this morning, and Kudos to you for a great job on your "Garage" and the thread. Serious envy here.

Thanks for your kind words, all. I appreciate it.

 

[SamHain]

I dont like you!

Great job!!!

 

[Prime]

Nice build!! From the first picture I had guessed where you were located because it looked a lot like my neighborhood. From your further descriptions I know we are farther apart, but you sure would be a nice neighbor to have!

I just completed an electric brewery. I still need to get an exhaust fan hooked up. I have been brewing with the garage doors open so far. I haven't had any problems with condensation. Seeing your hood has inspired me to get something figured out.

 

[cascadia]

Pretty basic, I picked it up at Lowes here in N. Seattle (I see you are local):
http://www.lowes.com/pd_304230-347-CO605_4294722466__?productId=3031861&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1

It does the job, every time I drive my car in or out of the garage (which is rare) it goes nuts.

Cool thanks, I have seen that one at Lowe's. Good to know it works. For the price I'll probably pick one up for cheap insurance. Fantastic build BTW.

 

[SlapYoMomaBrew]

Love all the progress here! Keep us posted with all the projects.

 

[aarong]

Awesome

 

[fall-line]

Is it summer yet? I'm almost ready! As I mentioned before I've been avoiding spamming the this thread with non beer related updates, but I'm happy to report that the decking is done. Moving along now to the railings and the arbor, painting the fence, and building the outdoor kitchen.

Meanwhile I'm happy to say that the brewing continues, with an IIPA, Maibock, Moose Drool, 'Island Lager', home grown apfelwein, and a Pale in various stages of fermenting or consuming. We're looking forward to the brewery warming party in March!

The design has changed a little from the original sketches, but it's pretty cool to once again see my drawings coming together in real life as they did with the building itself.

 

[ScotBrew]

Looks really good! That'll be an amazing space to use in the summer!

Your lawn isn't as green as in the sketch though!

 

[fall-line]

Seriously! My poor lawn (at least the part the borders the deck) has been destroyed by this project. Far too much foot traffic and materials placed on it at the worst time of year. As soon as the days start getting a little warmer/longer, I'm going to begin a serious lawn revitalization effort.

 

[Gunfighter04]

for all the more that's left I say go with astroturf and use the time saved from mowing to brew!

Honestly looks great. In the last 3 years I've gone from a grass only back yard to around 1200 S.F of Deck and patio space.

 

[fall-line]

Heh, yeah I can certainly see the attraction of 'hardscaping' over lawn. That being said. I have encroached upon my lawn enough in this project and am determined to take good care of the rest of it. We have a dog, and plan to have kids. Both of these critters benefit greatly from a good roll around in the grass on a summer day.

 

[TyTanium]

Heh, yeah I can certainly see the attraction of 'hardscaping' over lawn. That being said. I have encroached upon my lawn enough in this project and am determined to take good care of the rest of it. We have a dog, and plan to have kids. Both of these critters benefit greatly from a good roll around in the grass on a summer day.

Some aeration, overseeding and water will green it back up in no time. Grass is easy if you get sun.

 

[tom_gamer]

Some aeration, overseeding and water will green it back up in no time. Grass is easy if you get sun.

It's hard if you have too much sun

 

[sweetcell]

Grass is easy if you get sun.

uh, have you seen where he's from?