Wildwest's brew lean-to (my almost dream build)

[ILOVEBEER]

Now the question is are you a Miami fan or Chicago?

 

[wildwest450]

Now the question is are you a Miami fan or Chicago?

Neither, but football is football and I will be watching. One of my buddies is a big Bears fan. Da Bears.

 

[akthor]

Now I can't remember correctly but I think you got into electric brewing when you moved to your brew shed??? How did you brew before? And what are your thoughts on the differences?

Yes, that was my first priority.

 

[wildwest450]

Now I can't remember correctly but I think you got into electric brewing when you moved to your brew shed??? How did you brew before? And what are your thoughts on the differences?

Yes, I was a cooler and burner guy for the past 3 years. Electric is phenomenal, no comparison imo. The only downside is cleanup, it's a little tricky with cords hanging off your bk, the hlt only ever has hot water in it, so it's a breeze. Fast and cool, especially when it gets up to 115f in my garage with a burner going in the summer.

 

[akthor]

Have you drank any of the same recipes you made from both systems to compare taste and quality?

 

[wildwest450]

Have you drank any of the same recipes you made from both systems to compare taste and quality?

I completely hacked my first batch (mash temps hit 160f), and it came out decent. My second batch I nailed my temps, but sparged way to fast and lost .05 points, it's still in the fermenter. I will crush my next batch now that I've got the hang of my setup. I believe there will be no quality drop at all, and with more stable mash temps, I hope to see a rise in quality.

The worst part of completely changing your setup, is getting used to the new one. My old system was dialed in perfectly, kinda frustrating, but i'm almost there.

 

[wildwest450]

Sorry about the contrast, It's impossible to fit everything in without stepping outside. One shot from either end of the room, the other fermenter is tucked behind the bar out of site. There will be on more addition upcoming. I've decided not to go through the wall with taps, as cleaning will be way to much trouble.

There's plenty of room next to the outside fermenter to put a two tap kegerator.
I will post a pic when it comes in. I appreciate all the support and kind words, it's been a long year. Yes, it was worth it.

 

[stubbornman]

^ freaking sweet!!

 

[crlova2]

Bada$$!! Congrats on completing that, it is awesome. I bet you can't wait to get brewing in there. When is the inaugural brew day?

 

[TomSD]

That place is just too awesome for words. Great job!

 

[BrewBeemer]

Does the wifey know the final grand total of this build?

 

[wildwest450]

Does the wifey know the final grand total of this build?

Yup, she actually paid for the bar stools and the foot rail. She's a keeper.

Bada$$!! Congrats on completing that, it is awesome. I bet you can't wait to get brewing in there. When is the inaugural brew day?

Actually a month ago, i've done 2 batches so far, I wasn't about to wait until it was finished to brew in it.

 

[BrewBeemer]

Trade ya? Nope I got a good one this time.
Make it a business meeting location and write it off.

 

[wildwest450]

Trade ya? Nope I got a good one this time.
Make it a business meeting location and write it off.

Hmmmm, I could call it buffers and beer. Then just wait for the IRS to knock on my door.

 

[sudbuster]

Yup, she actually paid for the bar stools and the foot rail. She's a keeper.






Actually a month ago, i've done 2 batches so far, I wasn't about to wait until it was finished to brew in it.

Congrats on your completed brew room project. Been following your thread as you progressed. You've done a great job. Have fun..

 

[wildwest450]

Congrats on your completed brew room project. Been following your thread as you progressed. You've done a great job. Have fun..

Thank you sir, if you ever get up this way, tours and beer are free.

 

[Colin86]

Hey I just joined up a little while ago, and read up on the whole project. It's like you took my dreams and built them on the side of your house. To say I'm jealous is an understatement.

 

[KurtB]

Great job, Wildwest!

Reading this thread from the beginning, you have inspired me to take on a similar project. I plan on taking it slow and documenting the process as I go along.

Step #1. Convince SWMBO to move to TN.

















Oh well, it was a good plan up until that point.

 

[TANSTAAFB]

Prost!!!

Wow...I can even say it backwards...woW

Awesome incarnate :rockin:

 

[Justibone]

Step #1. Convince SWMBO to move to TN.

Tennesee is a great place. My sis-in-law is from Smyrna, just south of Nashville. Anywhere near Nashville is excellent, and the Carolina side is pure, wild beauty. (Don't get too close to Memphis without protection, tho.)

Vanderbilt is one of my preferences for residency... but that's several years away, we'll see.

Another nice thing about TN is... Southern women really want their men to be men. It's hard to explain, but really makes a huge difference in the happiness you can have in life.

 

[KurtB]

Yep. The comment was not ment to be a shot against TN, actualy I have been there a number of times. Just the next time my wife moves it will probably be to Florida to be closer to her parents. Actually, her parents owned some property near the Mountains in TN for a while, before they sold it to pay for a retirement place in Florida, and my Sister lived in the suburbs of Memphis for a few years.

 

[cfrye]

this thread is a perfect way to get through a long Friday at the office before a great weekend of brewing

 

[Justibone]

Yep. The comment was not ment to be a shot against TN, actualy I have been there a number of times.

I don't think anybody took it as a shot. Just a comment -- SWMBOs don't always do what's best for our beer.

 

[Justibone]

Yep. The comment was not ment to be a shot ... my Sister lived in the suburbs of Memphis for a few years.

Okay, Memphis is fair game.

That place is a HOLE.

Sorry to the Memphites, but I'm not telling you anything you didn't already know.

 

[BrewBeemer]

Okay, Memphis is fair game.

That place is a HOLE.

Sorry to the Memphites, but I'm not telling you anything you didn't already know.

Try Oakland Ca. Murder 3.5 times of national average. http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Oakland&state=CA

 

[Justibone]

Okay, there are worse holes.

But Memphis is still worth avoiding, 'cept for Graceland, of course.

 

[iron_city_ap]

Try Oakland Ca. Murder 3.5 times of national average.

I'm only about 20-30 outside of Gary. That place makes Oakland look like a fairy tale (8.75 times the average)

http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Gary&state=IN

 

[BrewBeemer]

Dang man what ya doing there, i'd be out of there in a flash, I mean a muzzle flash? Rather sad to hear about good areas that turned bad.
My neighbor moved from Chicago always mentioned how great
it was to live there, another friend spent 4 years there a job transfer
until he moved back to Calif. He told me Chicago was the pits, company
car as well his house broken into.
Hell in Spain back in 89 late one night with and friend and wives we had a robbery attack that went bad for the three robbers, two of us against three we won and only one was armed with a 9mm auto. Big mistake tangling with an 'Ex Marine even after adding a few pounds.

 

[wildwest450]

A bar is only cool until you have people over, then it's trashed.

 

[BigJerk]

That just means that your bar has reached it's full potential of awesome!

 

[Seabee John]

A bar is only cool until you have people over, then it's trashed.

Nope... you're wrong... just like a house isn't a home till you've lived in it... a bar is only a bar till you've partied in it.... then it's "THE" bar... Long live "THE" bar!

Awesome build man

 

[BrewBeemer]

A big house party isn't complete unless the cops arrive.

 

[wildwest450]

A big house party isn't complete unless the cops arrive.

It's only a matter of time.

 

[BrewBeemer]

Take picture of the coppers there then it's an offical house and bar.

 

[iggie]

This is simply awe inspiring. I have seen many "home bars" before but a "home brew pub" is the way to go. Even SWMBO agrees. Your project got me the green light!

Cheers!

 

[KingHippo]

Dude!!! Quite possibly the best beer porn ever... If it was in magazine form I would have to sneak it back up to my old room!! HA

 

[iron_city_ap]

What is possibly one of the most awesome home bars ever is trashed in that picture. You should probably tear it down and rebuild it from the ground up. lol.

BrewBeemer, The area I live in is MUCH better and I'm moving to a different area that is even nicer. The bad areas can just suddenly stop. Granted, if you are headed in the wrong direction, they can suddenly start too. I mean, you cross a highway and its almost a night and day difference. Overall, Chicago is a great town. Lake Michigan water is perfect for brewing with too. I'm going to be sad to not having it to brew with. Stupid well water (with sulphur).

 

[BrewBeemer]

Good fresh wellwater on my island that is surrounded by saltwater.
Only thing it's rather hard water for brewing. Perfect for the Koi pond.

 

[wilceaser]

Congrats WW, Now you can say it's done! Enjoy it in health.

 

[thehines]

I have enjoyed watching this build Thanks