Seeing as alcohol is one of the most controlled products in the USA, it would make sense that your zoning in a rural setting (or in a barn, as you described here) should be checked before anything else is considered. Could also have to do with the size of the brewery, too. A brewer friend told me that a 7 bbl system or smaller could be set up in a residence in CA as of 1 JAN 09 - I don't know if this is true or not.
Go to the city planing office and the alcohol board in your state (they generally work hand in hand) and explain your plans with the exact address of where you want to set up shop and see what they say.
Go to the city planing office and the alcohol board in your state (they generally work hand in hand) and explain your plans with the exact address of where you want to set up shop and see what they say.
Thanks for the info. I'll start with the alcohol board as I don't have an address yet. I'm hoping to get some info that might help in picking a location. There are plenty of small communities and unorganized territory in the area that the wife and I wouldn't mind settling down in.
I think an lenient city/township board might be a requirement.
Yes, I think the key is the "right" village or township that would support you by allowing a brewery. Being in the middle of nowhere helps, especially if cows are your closest neighbors.
As Whistlingjack mentions, the site needs to be able to support a light industrial business, especially wastewater management (did he mention wastewater management?!?). For my project, I had a 5000 gallon greywater tank installed for all the brewery's wastewater and will land apply this (managing pH and monitoring/screening solids is vital) - I'm small and plan to stay small. Other bells and whistles to consider are potential wind resources and solar orientation - lots of energy to be had for the brewing process out there. Geothermal if you have the land/space for a loop field.
Boils down to: if you want to build a "farmhouse brewery," find a way. It's being done - certainly not an easy path, but what is?
"There are plenty of small communities and unorganized territory in the area" It probably goes without saying, but if you are doing a brewpub, people should be able to find you and maybe make the trip in combination with other (travel) destinations. In a packaged brewery scenario, you still need enough outlets within your distribution territory to turn over quantities. Don't rely too much on distributors, especially as an (unproven) start-up.
check out golden city brewery in golden, co....the 2nd largest brewery in golden. not exactly a farmhouse brewery but they do pretty much brew in a back yard
I can't remember exactly what the federal regulation is on this but I do remember that you can not brew commercially in any building connected to your personal residence like a basement or garage for instance. You will have to submit building and site plans at any rate to get your Brewers Notice so I would recomend just going to the ttb web site and giving them a call or e-mail.
Mt. Carmel started in a basement, but is now in a detached garaged. He said that local zoning ordinances allowed him to do such a thing.
Dave - I heard about the BrewFarm earlier this year and it sounds quite interesting. As you mentioned, I'm sure there is much involved in putting something like this together, which might make it difficult to start as truly a "hobby brewfarm".
Skookum brewing (google them) is in a rural setting and is on the same property as their residence -- literally across their driveway is a barn with a 10bbl brewhouse in it. I know that they have had significant trials getting the county to approve them and such but after some delays, some more money and more delays they are finally in the clear. I'd give them a call if you are interested in hearing about the process, they are good people. Their names are Ron and Jackie.
Subpart C—Location and Use of Brewery
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§ 25.21 Restrictions on location.
A brewery may not be established or operated in any dwelling house or on board any vessel or boat, or in any building or on any premises where the revenue will be jeopardized or the effective administration of this part will be hindered.
(Sec. 201, Pub. L. 85–859, 72 Stat. 1389, as amended (26 U.S.C. 5402))
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