Craft beer is extremely popular when it comes to adult beverages, as this tasty alternative brew offers a smooth taste and options for every palate, ranging from thick and hearty stouts to light pale ales. If you're planning a wedding and looking to incorporate craft beer into your beverage offerings, a fun and creative solution is to design a DIY tasting station, complete with its own draft system. All you need are some basic building supplies and a little elbow grease to create a rustic-style self-serving station that's perfect for outdoor receptions and also works well when set up next to the bar during indoor celebrations. Building your own tasting station is also a fun way to enjoy a little bonding time with your partner before the big day. Follow these easy steps to design a portable, reusable craft beer tasting station complete with four taps for versatile tasting options.
Gather Your Materials and Tools
The first step in building your wedding beer bar is to gather your supplies and materials. To keep the station portable, the total dimensions should be 4 feet wide and 18 inches deep. In addition to four kegs of beer, beer faucets, CO2 tanks and air distributors, you need 10 8-foot long 2 x 4's, a box of 3-inch coarse threaded screws, wood nails, bolts and washers. You also need a pallet of reclaimed wood to cover the bar and create a rustic look. The tools you need are a compound miter saw, a cordless drill, a nail gun, a Phillips screw attachment, a pry bar and a framing hammer. Additional materials and tools include a drip tray to catch liquid from the beer dispense system and a hole saw to create large holes for the beer shanks.
Design and Frame Your Station
Once you gather your materials and tools, the next step is to design and frame your station. Use your miter saw to cut out eight equal-size frame pieces (four to each frame), then secure the wood together with your 3-inch coarse thread screws. When finished, you should have two frame pieces that are approximately 48 inches wide by 44 inches tall. Place the frames 20 inches apart to create a small counter space, then attach two more 2 x 4's to the top and bottom of the frame. The bottom piece is essential for storing your best keg beer, coolers and ice, as well as the CO2 and air tanks required to operate the dispensing system.
Cover in Reclaimed Wood
After you secure your frame, the next step in the project is to cover the piece with reclaimed wood. Use your pry bar to dismantle the pallet, then use the hammer claw to remove any loose nails or staples. Use your miter saw to cut your wood pieces to size, then secure the pieces to the frame with the hammer and wood nails. Cut another 2 x 4 down to size for the station's countertop, and secure it to the frame with wood nails and your nail gun. Lastly, attach your drip tray to the countertop with your bolts and washers.
Build and Attach Beer Tower
Once the bar is built and all wood pieces are secured, it's time to build and attach the beer tower. Cut down a 2 x 4 or wood from the pallet to create boards that fit next to the drip tray and align with the front-most countertop board. Attach the boards on the left and right sides, and continue around the back and front until the countertop is fully covered. Use your drill to create placement holes for the beer shanks. Cover the face of the tower with any remaining reclaimed wood, making sure the pieces are cut down to size. Once the tower is in place, use your hole saw to saw large holes into the front pieces of the tower for the beer shanks using the pre-drilled holes as a guide.
Build and Attach Beer Tower
Once the bar is built and all wood pieces are secured, it's time to build and attach the beer tower. Cut down a 2 x 4 or wood from the pallet to create boards that fit next to the drip tray and align with the front-most countertop board. Attach the boards on the left and right sides, and continue around the back and front until the countertop is fully covered. Use your drill to create placement holes for the beer shanks. Cover the face of the tower with any remaining reclaimed wood, making sure the pieces are cut down to size. Once the tower is in place, use your hole saw to saw large holes into the front pieces of the tower for the beer shanks using the pre-drilled holes as a guide.
Set Up the Draft System
The final step in constructing your beer station is to set up the draft system. Place your kegs in ice beneath the bar along the bottom of the station, and mount your CO2 tanks and air distributors just above standing height of the kegs. Pull your keg hoses through the pre-drilled holes, and secure the beer faucets to the front of the beer tower.
Final Touches
Now that your craft beer station is completely set up, it's time to add some final touches to the piece. Hand-paint the station with the names of the bride and groom, or paint the front of the beer tower with the words "cold beer" to let guests know where they can stop for some refreshments. Place some fun beer wedding decorations on the countertop, and make sure to provide plenty of cups and napkins.
Building your own wedding beer bar is a unique way to serve cold brews to your thirsty guests. Whether you're planning an outdoor reception during the warm season or you're opting for some indoor fun, DIY tasting stations put a fun spin on brewery wedding themes and ensure everyone stays happy and hydrated. By following some basic instructions and adding your own creativity, you can keep your guests talking about your wedding for many years to come.
