I'm currently in the process of building my own 1/2 bbl brewery. So far it looks like it's going to cost me at least $375~$400 to build the whole enchilada from scratch. What anyone who plans to do this needs is to research other people's website's and see what they have done, then decide on what your needs are. Due to space and vertical height needs, my system will be six feet high (including HLT), three feet wide (includes the width of Kettle, control panel, gas and plumbing lines, pump, counter-flow chiller, and hopjack) and the floor level which houses the Mash/Lauter tun, propane tank, and undercarraige (which is 16 inches deep). I've gone through tons of paper and computer drawings until I got just what I wanted, now I'm into assembling the actual parts needed. All pieces will be bolted together, including the kegs, which will use bulkhead fittings rather than being welded/brazed/soldered together (in case I change my mind at a later date and want to automate the system). While I'm no construction wiz or engineer, but after careful examination of many other systems (Sabco has an excellent site that shows good detail
http://www.kegs.com, which has a complete inline fully automated system). So, in a nutshell, look around, especially flea markets, and you might even find an old sculpture for sale, or even the parts to build one yourself. So far it's been fun, and I'm looking forward to my inaugural brew on National Homebrew Day!
Slainte!
Michel
