Most methods for making methanol seem to orient around using natural
gas as a feedstock or collecting and processing methane from livestock
waste. Is there a method for brewing methanol - similar to making
ethanol - from wood or other biomass that can be done by the average
mechanically and chemically inclined individual?

http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/JCESoft/CCA/CCA5/MAIN/1ORGANIC/ORG18/DDWOOD/MOVIE.HTM

lexan-ga: As an experienced chemist, my advice is: Forget it. Beside all that,
what use could you possibly have for any methanol you might make? And
on top of everything, methanol is extremely toxic and dangerous. Help
yourself.
monrpe22-ga

Methanol is a main ingredient used in producing Bio-diesel.

Monroe - Jim622 nailed it on the head. In examining Biodiesel as an
alternative fuel source, usable for potentially living off the
petroleum grid, the one thing I keep running into is that methanol can
generally only be obtained from industrial sources. So I was curious
if it could be generated on a garage-level scale, if one was already
making lye via traditional methods and harvesting rapeseed or flaxseed
oil as your oil stock.

It's more a thought experiment than anything else, but if I ever do go
to a diesel vehicle, I just might give it a try. :)