The idea started as all good ideas start some years ago over a nice cool beer. As the beers flowed the concept became crystal clear and was then filed away the next morning , for future reference. The original plan was for little more than a bench top over a wine rack. We looked at many pre built bars but in general they were outrageously priced and crappy looking. Custom built was the only way to go so phone to Mal Leather at Handcrafted Traditional Bars. The plan was for a small unit in the corner of the lounge. With just a couple of bar stools. Nice and intimate. After much measuring, looking at shapes, a decision was made. Quote given and accepted. Bar stools ordered. An agonizing wait of 2 months while the Red Baltic Pine was ordered, the bar crafted, stained and assembled. I went to have a look at it in Mals factory. First reaction – God its huge.( Actual length 9.1 metres ) I wondered if there had been a mistake. The unit was dismantled, squeezed onto Mal's truck, and bought to its new home. Installed it dominated the room, not the look I was after.
But the Bar had to be christened so Mal and I cracked a couple of cans of Guinness
I was still a bit unsure but invited Kevin and Melodie over the next night for a quiet beer. The next morning I dismantled the bar and re- assembled it in the dining area of the kitchen. It looked much much better but still lacked something. Instead of just being an ultra large wine bar this was starting to look more like a bar bar. Decision time. Back on the phone to Mal. Gidday mate We want a top for the Bar. No probs. Be ready in a few weeks.
Will make top panels so that sometime in the future can be
replaced by leadlight.Posts to be turned by hand – copy of posts in a pub in
Britain. Be ready in a few weeks. Well if it’s going to be a Bar then a change
of thinking is required. Beer Kegs Pumps &
Home Crafted Brews. Having made home brew before in New Zealand this didn’t
present much of a problem. Kegging 
was a new art that had to be learnt and is still being learnt. Rule of thumb if something can stuff up something will. Traditional English beer engine pumps look the business but are hellishly expensive and unless converted to a gas system give a keg life of about 2 days once the keg is tapped. Luckily a standard 2 pour pub font was available so I purchased that
.
Cooling the beer is still a challenge. Currently using a converted Bar Fridge for one keg. Second keg is placed in a garbage bag lined rubbish bin a surrounded by ice. Messy but effective
.
Had a couple of trial runs.
Jason is a great guinea pig. Doesn’t mind trying a beer and trying a beer and maybe one more.
Trial run number 2. Graham and Kelvin ( donated a few
posters ) with help from Jason
Trial run 3. Kevin and Melodie Kevin wasn’t drinking – driving but Mel sampled a few ( count them ) Tooheys Reds
and
left quite
happy. Jason and I managed to empty one keg of Traditional Bitter. Pity he had
to go to the casino hahaha suffer
buddy
Trial run 4. Hosts decide to test the Guinness, which Viki decides after a sip that she hates, 2nd sip not to bad, 8 glasses later BLOODY BEAUTIFUL.
Kevin’s now brewing his own
Moses calls in for a quiet one after work.
"I always has one at 11"
Came
in through a side window?
click here to get to the front door - Highly Recommended !!!