The Brew Pub

Post by **alk1174** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:11 pm

I have had a couple requests over the last couple of years to post up some pics of my brewing and dispensing setup. So here goes. Some of the pics arenâ€™t the greatest and the room is a little cluttered but you get the point. I donâ€™t have any of the actual brewing but here is one after about 3 weeks of fermenting. It is an English IPA.

Post by **alk1174** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:58 pm

I took an old fridge I got pretty cheap and gutted everything out of it. The compressor for the fridge makes a hump in the back so I had to build a shelf for the bottom to make a flat surface to sit the keg and CO2 on. I just used some 1x8 boards and made it so it would rest on the floor and the built in ridges that held up the factory drawers and shelves.

Post by **alk1174** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:05 pm

Next I took the storage system that is attached to the door off. It is attached with about 30 sheet metal screws hidden under the rubber seal. I took the storage system and laid it on a piece of wainscoting I got from Lowes but any 1/4" paneling would work. I used the storage system to trace out the size and all of the holes needed to hold it on. I put the new panel on using the factory seal. You need to do this to increase the depth of storage space in the fridge. You can then drill a hole in the door and panel to attach the faucet. Make sure you drill it high enough to clear the keg.

Post by **alk1174** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:11 pm

Here is a pic of the CO2 tank and keg. I use the small 5 gallon (1/6 barrel) kegs that are used for specialty beers and wine. They are quite easy to get apart and refill and only cost the price of a keg deposit. They can also be filled with your favorite knockout punch, rum and coke, or whatever you can think of. By the way I have a recipe for Pupple Passion that works well in these kegs and the girls love it. My buddy calls it liquid panty dropper. Notice the CO2 tank is the same one I use on the trail to fill tires and it can be used as a shielding gas when welding.

Post by **alk1174** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:15 pm

All set in place and ready to go! There is enough room to put a full keg (1/2 barrel) in the fridge with the CO2 tank. Or you can put in 3 of the small 5 gallon (1/6 barrel) kegs if you want. I had originally planned for 3 kegs and 3 faucets but never made it that far.

Post by **alk1174** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:25 pm

I took some 16ga sheet metal and made a tray to catch the drips since the commercial ones are pricey. When I was a poor college student we just put a bucket under the tap. You can also omit the fancy tap handle from the fridge door and just use one of the small cheap black faucets that come on the pump style taps to save some money. You just have to open the fridge every time you want a beer.

Post by **alk1174** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:28 pm

The best part is the final product a beer that most folks are scared to drink.

Post by **alk1174** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 9:34 pm

If anyone is seriuosly interested in doing something like this let me know. I have left out a lot of little details that can be important if you want a good system. I am still learning and I started this almost 10 years ago. There is a lot of info on the net if you do some searching. If you find good deals I think you could put together a system for around 200$. But as always there is no limit to what you can spend. Vintage Cellar by Kroger is a good source for parts and info not always the cheapest but they are convenient and helpful.