OVHA Chat

So I have a question for everyone. I'm currently in the planning stage for building a shed in my back yard that along with storage and a small work bench will house all of my brewing gear. I am planning to actually build an indoor brewing stand on one side of this building so I can brew all year round. I'm looking for suggestions on things to add during the building process so I won't have problems later. the shed is limited in space to 120 square feet by building permits.

My current list:
Ventilation (I plan to use a hood unit over the brewing station with active ventilation, and air intakes near the bottom of the opposite wall.)
Electricity
Water
Drainage
Heating/Air Unit (window style unit)

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Josh

Since you have water and drain how
about a sink and counter-top to clean your equipment.
Closed cabinets (to keep the critters out of your brew stuff).
A fire extinguisher (wood building- LP gas- fire- drinking beer).
Then you will need cable (TV to help pass the time while brewing & drinking).
and a recliner (to watch the TV).
I think I'm out of room.
Can you go to the zoning board and get a variance because I can think of a lot more that a good brew shed needs?

Put your make-up air vents as close to your out-vent as possible to avoid sucking out the 5 tons of AC that you will need in the mid summer(I don't really know how much AC,but a lot).You will definitely need a Funnel w/ outlet hose in one corner ( I don't know for what )Ya might consider a 150 Lb./day ice machine to ice the stuff down when you have those 'check this out'BBQs.
Oh,yeah...You missed the 'Ruined Brown Wheat Ale' Save ya a bottle IF I can.

If you run outa room for all that,you could build a 2 vstory with a $%$ter.

Sorry,I'm a little BUZZED.

A ferment closet. A place to ferment and store your brews. It needs it's own AC unit. About 3 feet of your back wall. Heavy insulation. You can also store grain in it. If you have clearance between top of the closet and ceiling you have a place to store kegs. I'm going to post a few pix that you might get some ideas from.

A place to put your barrel for Lambic like beer.

Thanks for the replies folks, please keep them coming.

As far as some of the suggestions. I'll be using a computer in the room for entertainment purposes (music, hulu, boxie) so I have that covered. I don't think I have room for a recliner, but I have a nice office chair that will be going out there. The fermentation cooler is a great idea, but a bit limited by space. I have a small chest freezer that will be becoming my fermentation chamber once I get the building done.

As far as the size goes, at least in Henderson, 120' square is as big as you can go without getting a building permit and having an inspection done. That plus the amount of money i have to spend on this project are the limiting factors. The building plans I've chosen are for a 10' x 12' x14' 9" building so I should have plenty of storage room in the loft for some things as well.

The only other things stored in this building will be some tools and a few bikes (my newest hobby.)

Would you be allowed to build an overhang? Like an 8 foot overhang over the front. It'll still be nice to brew outside. I don't know how hot it could get in a 120 sq ft shed with a big pot a boiling for 90 min.

I'm planning on putting a 4' porch on the front of the building, though not covered at this point. Brewing will be done out there when weather permits.

You might be able to get some ideas for your shed from Jamil's site http://www.mrmalty.com/