Brew Shed

[Davin]

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

[Don]

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?

[BM1]

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.

[BM1]

Sorry,I'm a little BUZZED.

[kbhale]

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.

[kbhale]

A place to put your barrel for Lambic like beer.

[Davin]

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.)

[john mills]

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.

[Davin]

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.

[john mills]

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