Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Geoff Foley on May 22, 2011 at 12:41am

I haven't focused enough to actually get started yet but that will be changing very soon.

 

That is very cool that you have ventured into vodka.  That is something I want to get into along with craft brews.

 

The furthest I have made it into vodka is the home infusing of Smirnoff 100 with my favorite fruits.

Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on May 22, 2011 at 12:54am

The biggest obstacle to getting started in home brewing seems to be over-thinking it, as far as I've seen.  Most brew shops offer a kit for under $80 that will give you everything you need to make your first batch of beer - including the beer kit.  The easiest way to get your first batch of bottles is just to save plastic soda bottles that seem to have a top that reseals really well.  Expect that a batch or so might not turn out but that you can learn from each experience.

 

For vodka, the easiest way to start is to look into 'turbo yeast'.  With only that, a basic start-up kit, and some sugar, you can make a 20% alcohol by volume vodka without needing to experiment with distillation.  Figure out how to drip it slowly through an activated charcoal filter and it will be an odourless, flavourless vodka.  Normally you would put 2 ounces of 40% vodka into 5 ounces of orange juice to make a nice vodka & orange cocktail, but if you mix 5 ounces of 20% vodka with 2 ounces of concentrated orange juice you get the same effect.  It costs less, and sets you off down the road to making more interesting products later.

 

I would be glad to offer any advice that I can, although I don't know anything about further distilling home made vodka because that is illegal - although I've heard rumours that there are websites offering such information, and I do have a background in process engineering that might allow me to answer 'theoretical' questions. :D

Permalink Reply by Ed on June 10, 2011 at 1:03am

Years back I was a beer brewer but since shucking city life and moving to the country I am strictly a winemaker. I have about 75 vines in my small vineyard.

Cynthianna  -American

Niagara       -American

Chardonnel   -French hybrid

Landot Noir      "           "

Vignoles           "           "

Chambourcin   "           "

 

Blackberry

Peach

 

The french hybrids are just now starting to produce fruit  and this year I will get my first crop off  the Landot. I have a mullberry tree I would love to use the fruit off of but it is very difficult to harvest. But man those berries are delicious.

Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on June 10, 2011 at 6:11am

I am no longer an Atheist - for I have now found a being worthy of worship.  Praise Ed, Praise Ed, Hallelujah!

Permalink Reply by Misty: Baytheist Living! on July 11, 2011 at 11:27pm

Well, we have two taps run cold into our house and then a few varieties in bottle at any one time. Right now my menu looks something like this:

 

Belgian Abbey Ale

Belgian Trappist Trippel

Chocolate Vanilla Stout

Oatmeal Stout

Oaked Scottish Ale

Blueberry Wheat Ale