My silly idea...

I don't see that as a problem. A friend of mine spent about $1,000 for his 1/2 bbl system, and I think you can get a SABCO for about $2,000. Check around for used equipment (I saw some nano stuff on probrewer.com a while ago). You'll still need a draft system, and that'll be a big cost depending on how many beers you want to pour, but again, keep looking for used stuff. If you really want to do it, just like starting any business, the first thing to do is your homework - so get at it.

 

So...you want like a small taproom/bar in your basement where you make all the beer that is enjoyed by people who visit? Sounds fun. Visit the Home Bar forum for ideas, inspiration, and troubleshooting. $2k is definitely doable as far as stepping up from 5 gallon to 10 gallon, but if you're going for full on bar, you probably need to up your budget.

 

Let me get this straight your going to start a nano and not charge any money? I am sure you will get lots of people who like your idea! Have fun!

 

Check your local laws, but you could probably set up some sort of free-will donation bucket in your future taproom to help re-coup some costs. There was a bar in my old hometown that did something like this. They couldn't acquire a liquor license, so all drinks were free, but they handed out free-will donation envelops. The owner ran it into the ground for other reasons, but I believe that they were profitable while using that model.

 

So essentially it's just a glorified home brewery? Is anyone allowed in, or just friends/family? I've got one of those at my place – operating on a 1/5 barrel system

 

I think you have to clear up your mind in regards what you really are looking for.
Look your statements:


´I am not looking for profit, or to "quit my day job", just to have a hobby.´

´Maybe build a bar, maybe not.´

´As I said, I've been at it for a few years, but it was never "serious"´

I would suggest you to keep your money safe until you are more convinced of what are you going to do. Maybe you can share your ideas with friends and family to get their thoughts regarding your interests

 

Yes, I've seen this before at tailgating events. Genius idea, really. They set up a bar with 'Free' shots of liquor, but the group always ends up making bank off tips by the end of the day, and they don't have to have a license for it since they technically aren't charging money. Not a bad idea to adopt for your nano brewery

 

The last two money making schemes are illegal in all 50 states.

 

You're not looking to open a Nano Brewery, you just want to up your game, make more homebrew with flashier equipment, and then serve it in a more legit like home bar. Big difference. I have the home bar and am working towards the more professional like equipment, but am also moving towards an actual brewery as well.

I will echo @Brew_Betty anything that smells of cash for beer is illegal. There is a venue in Portland that fabricates brewing equipment and they make batches of beer on their system and serve it in a tap room for free to those that visit to purchase brewing systems. They got in a lot of trouble with the TTB and OLCC when CBC came to town last year.

 

This seems like overkill to give away 200 gallons of beer. Depending on how many friends that you have and how much they drink, what will you do when you run out of beer in July? and remember you're the one who also will have to clean up the bathroom, take out the trash from those to-go and delivered food containers, etc. Could be a lot of headaches involved too.

You might also want to look into the wording of the homebrewing law to see if "personal consumption" is the basis for the law, and exactly what does that phrase mean?

 

Feel free to flame me if this is wrong, but upscale equipment isn't going to help you achieve this. I think the ability to do this has more to do with process vs. equipment.

 

Verbal contracts to join your homebrew club sound mandatory.

 

So if you're wanting to spend some cash and become a serious homebrewer, I'd say go for it. Give your friends and coworkers a place to drink beer and watch the big game. Hone your craft, so to speak.

If you're trying to tiptoe around the law and be a wink-wink "home" brewer with a nanobrewery where you're paid in bitcoins or hamburger or whatever . . . I wouldn't do it.

 

Sounds like you want to take it seriously. If you're at a point in your life where you can do this, I say do it!

 

I say go for it. Upgrade the basement or garage as a place to hang out with a variety of taps, a proper way to store bottles at cellar temps, and general vibe. Key in controls on the brew side. pH meter, RO water that you adjust, mash tun that you can heat without scorching to control that temp, fermentation chamber or conicals with ferm control, CO2 purging, oxygenation system, proper yeast propagation equipment with a mini-lab, maybe a small barrel or two to age stuff in. TONS AND TONS OF NOTES, and you'll also be bugging your friends by subjecting them to triangle tests. Its the dream that may lead to another dream. Not sure if $2k will cover it.