The following links are specifically the ones detailing the startup of R.Shea Brewing, beginning with the search for a building. I will be chronicling every step of the way where you will find the links here.
The Journey actually started with my 1/2 barrel homebrew system that evolved over the course of several years.
Selecting a Brewery Location – Chronicling a search of nearly three years.
Inside the New Brewery: Pre-Renovation – Pictures of the location before we move equipment in, build a bar, etc.
The New Layout of R.Shea Brewing and the Theme Behind It – What’s the vibe going to be at this new craft beer watering hole? What’s going to make this unique?
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 1, August 4-10, 2014 – Lease papers, insurance, federal brewers application and timelines to opening day.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 2, August 11-17, 2014 – Insurance and bonds.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 3, August 18-24, 2014 – Keys, doors, bonds, shandys, sliders and more!
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 4, August 25-September 1, 2014 – Everything from the tear-out, signs, bar mockups, Amarillo IPA and more!
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 5, September 1-7, 2014 – Fermentors on order, marble tile removal, waiting on the bond, more shandy development and Session IPA tasting.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 6, September 8-14 – Bond approval, researching beer flights, major floor removal.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 7, September 15-21 – I have the bond! Finishing Federal application, finishing floor removal, CHILI DOGS! and bar stool research.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 8, September 22-28 – I completed and submitted the Federal Brewer’s Application. I also built an adjustable ‘mock bar’ to get final dimensions.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 9, September 29-October 5 – Making a brewery trench drain, final floor polishing.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 10, October 6-October 12, 2014 – More floor preparation.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 11, October 13-October 19 – Final floor coating and it’s done! Insulation for walk-in cooler build.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 12, October 20-October 26 – Purchase more walk-in cooler materials, Ohio Brewery application done, security and internet done!
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 13, October 27-November 2 – The fermentors arrive!
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 14, November 3-9 – Starting the walk-in cooler build.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 15, November 10-16, 2014 – The brew-system arrives! We also do some more walk-in cooler work.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 16, November 17-23, 2014 – Installation of the CoolBot on the walk-in cooler and successful testing. Final cooler interior work done (floors, painting walls).
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 17, November 24-30, 2014 – Primer painting the cooler exterior plus some other walls we patched.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 18, December 1-7, 2014 – Bathroom floor prep and tiling.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 19, December 8-14, 2014 – Brewery wall tiling.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 20-22 , December 15-January 4 – Going virtual!
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 23, January 5-11, 2015 – Building a bar, on demand water heater plumbing and painting.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 24, January 12-18, 2015 – More bar work and painting. New burners came in for the brew equipment. We also moved the homebrew/pilot system from the house to the brewery.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 25, January 19-25, 2015 – A new fermentor chiller and making a stand for it. Burner blues and experimenting with pulled chicken and homemade BBQ sauce.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 26, January 26-31, 2015 – Getting metal for the bar, tiling the bathrooms and getting a new bar sink.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 27, February 1-7, 2015 – Beer trunk line delivery, grouting and painting bathrooms and trying our new (used) panini press.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 28, February 8-14, 2015 – Getting wood for the floors and bar top. Marble tiling the front of the bar floor.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 29, February 15-21 – Federal approval! Laying wood flooring and putting on the bar top wood.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 30, February 22-28 – Kettle test fire, draft system plumbing, bar top prep.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 31, March 1-7 – Completed draft system, bar rail and keg deliveries.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 32 & 33, March 8-21 – Bar rail install, sanding and staining. State license approval. Keg cleaning on a large scale.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Week 34, March 22-28 – Bar varnish, beer judging and bar metal prep.
Brewery Shakedown Cruise – Making the first beer the Rubber City Red, on the new system.
Building R.Shea Brewing: Weeks 35 & 36, March 29 – April 11 – More tiling, plumbing the fermentor glycol lines.
Looking forward to your new venture; Akron needs more brew pubs and happy to see your making a go of it! I grew up in the Falls and still live here at the rim of the valley; I can’t wait to come down and try your brews. I will be routing for you. JimD