Hey, Everyone,
I recently finished my basement and did so in a Swamp Bar with a Brewery theme. The walls were done with reclaimed sheet metal from a sheep farm in Idaho and the wood is cedar. I am also very pleased to say that the brew area cranks out some great beer! By using induction as my heat source, I'm able to brew safely in the basement year round, while also being able to hang with my family
Here's a picture of the Swamp Bar. The Spanish Moss throughout is from the swamps in Georgia and I boiled it before hanging to get rid of any critters. The skeleton on the end is wearing the actual dress that the character Venus wore on Sons of Anarchy. It also has "Skankenstein's" Jumper Cables attached. The cables were used at SoA's Redwoody Studios during the beginning of an episode during the last season. Instead of electricity going into the bolts on Frankenstein's neck, the electricity went into the Adult Film Star playing the character of Skankenstein at pretty much the same area you see on the skeleton. The boots you see behind the bar were the screen-worn boots worn by the SoA characters Chibs and Rat Boy. The gloves you see on the AR-15 below the window were also screen-worn by Rat Boy's character, as is a chain hanging from the bar. If you look closely at the vertical support beam, you'll notice a wooden handled and homemade frog gig that we use to gig frogs in the Summer (nothing goes better with beer than frog legs!), as well as some old blocks that were used on an old farm in Illinois. In the wider shot, you can see an antique beer tap/pump along the frame of the grey door.
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
The "window" in the back was made from reclaimed barn wood from a farm in Florida and houses a flat screen TV that plays swamp sounds and scenic videos, with the idea being that it's like you're looking out of a window into the swamp. The silver ice bucket on the bar is the actual bucket used by Breaking Bad's Walter White character in the final season episode "Rabid Dog". One of the mats along the railing of the bar was used onscreen at the bar SAMCRO would drink while at Redwoody for SOA.
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
I handmade the lights hanging from the bar roof out of rope and electrical parts and the posters on the walls were signed by Ryan Bingham for one and Luther & Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars for the other
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
I made the tapper out of plumbing parts and a persevered alligator head and claws. The block of wood on which the claws are mounted are oven roasted oak that were used to impart a nice smoky flavor into a buddy's English Mild that was brewed in the brewery area
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
The kegorator holds 3 corny kegs:
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
After drinking a bunch of brews, one can relieve themselves in the outhouse. The clock on the side was used onscreen during Sons of Anarchy, at Tellor Morrow on the wall in the office. If you look for it when you watch an episode with a scene in the office, you'll see it high above the desk. The skulls are from raccoons and were found in the woods by my buddy.
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
The brew area is attached to the right side of the outhouse
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
Going all induction required a considerable amount of research to get the burners, correct pots, etc. However, it was well worth it to be able to safely brew in the basement and still have a powerful heat source. I can heat 6.5 gallons of worth from sparge temperature to boiling in about 18 minutes with the 3500 Watt burner. If anyone wants the details on the burners and equipment, just ask. I just use gravity and it works really well with this setup. I do have a pump and a plate chiller for cooling (don't need it to transfer), though I don't think it's really worth the effort. I do also filter the water from the sink into the HLT. The Hop Rocket is not pictured, because it is a huge pain in the butt (I'll save that for other stories). We mill our own grains immediately prior to brewing.
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
Finally, a big view of most of the basement. The shark in the background was caught by my Son and the life ring is off of a boat in Alaska on which I served while enlisted in the United States Coast Guard
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ShorewoodBrewery, on Flickr
The bar and brew area turned-out pretty much exactly as I envisioned. I wanted it to have a sense of history and everything within to have special meaning. It's really nice to have a place to brew and drink great beers while still being part of the family.
Cheers!
Topic: Swamp Bar and Brewery with Sons of Anarchy and Breaking Bad Memorabilia (Read 11383 times)
