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anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 4:13 pm
by dukethebeagle120
i`ve been thinking of taking a time out lately
i really enjoy this hobby but i have to admit i drink more now then ever
and the ease of availabilty i find makes me enjoy drinking more.
i don`t drink everyday,maybe one evening or two a week
and may get a little twisted every 2-3 weeks
does that seem alot or is it just me
i am just looking to see if my drinking is becoming a problem
the way i see it drinking is a social thing and should not become a passtime
i should be able to have other pastimes
so if anyone has any input on this shitty topic let me know
thnx guys

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 4:26 pm
by Chixter
I built up a 12 gallon supply of good grain whiskey over the last few months. Most of it needs to age out but a lot is very good now. I have a huge shop project starting for a customer. That's it for stillin for me prob till late spring at the earliest. As for drinking.....As required. I'm not an old man but it would take me into one or kill me so I wouldn't become one. That's a lot of booze for me. Once you hit your stride you'll be amazed how fast this stuff piles up.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 5:05 pm
by kiwi Bruce
No idea how old you are...and I don't need to know...some advice from an old timer. Do it now...if you are under 59...don't wait, do it now ! There is a distilling rest coming your way...I hope later rather than sooner, when some smug faced MD says "you have Bah bah in the who what" within ear shot of your significant other...Who then says "You have to stop this "Thing" you have for booze!" and you will, give it a rest for a year or two, and you'll be miserable. You may get back to it..depends on how bad the "Bah bah in the who what" is, in your case. If it's significant your HD days are over...there are a good number of wonderful HD's who are no longer on the forum, and some are no longer with us. As to the amount you drink...To quote Miss Piggy "Too much is never enough !" well, not really...let your conscience be your guide...I used to have two homebrews and a two finger full glass of single malt each night with a cigar. Then I had a run in with some smug faced MD, three or four years ago, now I allow myself "Free Friday" same amount, just each Friday. At sometime in the future I'll get the "Bah bah in the who what" again...so sod it ! Drink, make booze and be happy, while you can !

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 5:06 pm
by dukethebeagle120
no shit and thats the problem
i had 4 gallons of whiskey,2 rum,2 really good gin and 4 gallons of vodka
my gos that should last 10 years and i made it all in 3 months :shock:

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 5:22 pm
by RedwoodHillBilly
kiwi Bruce wrote:No idea how old you are...and I don't need to know...some advice from an old timer. Do it now...if you are under 59...don't wait, do it now ! There is a distilling rest coming your way...I hope later rather than sooner, when some smug faced MD says "you have Bah bah in the who what" within ear shot of your significant other...Who then says "You have to stop this "Thing" you have for booze!" and you will, give it a rest for a year or two, and you'll be miserable. You may get back to it..depends on how bad the "Bah bah in the who what" is, in your case. If it's significant your HD days are over...there are a good number of wonderful HD's who are no longer on the forum, and some are no longer with us. As to the amount you drink...To quote Miss Piggy "Too much is never enough !" well, not really...let your conscience be your guide...I used to have two homebrews and a two finger full glass of single malt each night with a cigar. Then I had a run in with some smug faced MD, three or four years ago, now I allow myself "Free Friday" same amount, just each Friday. At sometime in the future I'll get the "Bah bah in the who what" again...so sod it ! Drink, make booze and be happy, while you can !
Right on brother. I have a small stash right now aging(15G) but plan on making 60Gal in 2018 (and aging in the barrels for 3 yrs or more) for when the SWMBO says that I can't make any more due to my health (like I ever listen to to her anyway).

There is a reason that booze is called aquavit or some such (water of life) in many languages.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 5:49 pm
by just sayin
I step back about a month most years to make sure I can. I am currently trying to drop some tonnage so I have reduced my pours to 15ml or less in a Glencairn glass covered with a watch glass. I nurse these tiny pours for hours and really savor the flavor. It is much more enjoyable that totally abstaining.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 5:56 pm
by HDNB
about 2 years ago i got into some heavy distilling and ended up quitting consumption. I found things i enjoyed more, that required driving to (hell, everything requires driving to around here..specially when it's 30 below zero)

i still makes tons. you could literally drown in it feet first around here, yet consumption has lost all appeal. I love a "taste" about the equivalent of a finger dip but once i find the palate, a drink seems like too much.

perhaps one day i'll be reinvigorated to drink a bit more and in that event, i plan on having a lot of really old whiskey and rum to enjoy!

one thing i can say for certain...my critical palate is far more refined now in absence of chronic consumption.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 6:44 pm
by Pikey
just sayin wrote:I step back about a month most years to make sure I can. I am currently trying to drop some tonnage so I have reduced my pours to 15ml or less in a Glencairn glass covered with a watch glass. I nurse these tiny pours for hours and really savor the flavor. It is much more enjoyable that totally abstaining.
I know the feeling mate - I've always been a drinker. Could easily be an alcoholic, but I refuse to take any alcohol at all before 9 pm.

The weight thing - I dropped 20 kilos (44 lb ) over about 8 months (It starts fast and slows down) Using the "High protein, High fat, very low carbohydrate "diet" - well it's not actually a diet - you are allowed unlimited protein, fat and vegetables (but not those containing high carb values) - Carbs MUst be kept to less than 40 Grammes (1.5 ounces) a DAY ! However you ARE allowed unlimited intake of distilled spirits. :D

My thanks to Mikey Moo for mentioning this on another thread.

With all the carp you hear about "fat is bad" and "carbs is good" (they are NOT) I have regular full blood tests and Blood pressure tests - All my levels are better than before I started this and all well within "Normal" ranges - whereas my blood glucose and Cholesterol were "touching High" levels before starting.

I have never felt at all hungry - except those few days a month when I just allow myself unlimited carbs as well - Then I really do feel hungry !

Just a thought for anyone worried about the "weight issue" :)

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 7:37 pm
by nerdybrewer
Pikey wrote:
just sayin wrote:I step back about a month most years to make sure I can. I am currently trying to drop some tonnage so I have reduced my pours to 15ml or less in a Glencairn glass covered with a watch glass. I nurse these tiny pours for hours and really savor the flavor. It is much more enjoyable that totally abstaining.
I know the feeling mate - I've always been a drinker. Could easily be an alcoholic, but I refuse to take any alcohol at all before 9 pm.

The weight thing - I dropped 20 kilos (44 lb ) over about 8 months (It starts fast and slows down) Using the "High protein, High fat, very low carbohydrate "diet" - well it's not actually a diet - you are allowed unlimited protein, fat and vegetables (but not those containing high carb values) - Carbs MUst be kept to less than 40 Grammes (1.5 ounces) a DAY ! However you ARE allowed unlimited intake of distilled spirits. :D

My thanks to Mikey Moo for mentioning this on another thread.

With all the carp you hear about "fat is bad" and "carbs is good" (they are NOT) I have regular full blood tests and Blood pressure tests - All my levels are better than before I started this and all well within "Normal" ranges - whereas my blood glucose and Cholesterol were "touching High" levels before starting.

I have never felt at all hungry - except those few days a month when I just allow myself unlimited carbs as well - Then I really do feel hungry !

Just a thought for anyone worried about the "weight issue" :)
Doing the same I lost 100 Lbs. Am much healthier and happier.
Drank about the same then as now but all distilled.
Holidays I allow myself beer and wine and anything else, then pay for it after.
I periodically spend a week or two dry, kind of like a check up to see if I'm dependent or if I'm ok.
So far I'm ok!

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 10:28 pm
by Truckinbutch
My back and legs cause me to take extended stilling breaks . Consumption also goes down then . Just too cheap to buy store bought in any quantity .

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 2:51 am
by zapata
I take breaks from both fairly often. For a day, or a month, not quite a year. Do other shit, it's good for you. OP, it doesn't sound like you are drinking a concerning amount TO ME. But that's for you to decide.

The simplest fastest clinical screening for drinking problems are the CAGE questions.
Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your drinking? No. Yes. +1.
Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? No. Yes. +1.
Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking? No. Yes. +1
Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover? No. Yes. +1
A score of 2+ is a positive with over 90% accuracy for positives (sensitivity) and about 75% for negatives (specificity). And hell, your post here indicates at least a +1. I am always at a +1 because I don't want to ever go more than about 6 months without at least thinking "Do I need to cut back?". Thankfully its been a long time since I've hit +2 (though it's possible I self select people who won't annoy me to be in my life!)

Personally I'm of the opinion that drinking is a perfectly valid and fulfilling pastime. But it does have drawbacks that should be managed responsibly and a great way for me to do that is to be sure it isn't a cornerstone of my life for too long. It certainly was for long periods in my past, and my life is not better for that. I could've had plenty of fun in a tenth of the booze, and done a lot more with 90% of my heaviest drinking years.

But...I did end up with some lovely offspring from a woman I never would have chosen to procreate with had I been sober back then! Every cloud has a silver lining!

If I found myself posting this thread, it would mean it was time to really look closely and see if I was ok with my drinking. It'd be time for self reflection. To be honest, probably performed with a tumblr of whisky! It might or might not end in a change, but that would depend a lot on what I was getting from that night or two a week, and the getting twisted a few times a month, measured against what they cost in terms of health, fun (mental health), opportunity costs, associated people and activities, etc etc.
Only you can keep yourself well.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 4:03 pm
by Old Town
dukethebeagle120 wrote:i`ve been thinking of taking a time out lately
i really enjoy this hobby but i have to admit i drink more now then ever
and the ease of availabilty i find makes me enjoy drinking more.
i don`t drink everyday,maybe one evening or two a week
and may get a little twisted every 2-3 weeks
does that seem alot or is it just me
i am just looking to see if my drinking is becoming a problem
the way i see it drinking is a social thing and should not become a passtime
i should be able to have other pastimes
so if anyone has any input on this shitty topic let me know
thnx guys

I was off work for two weeks over the holidays. I went through five, 750ml bottles of whiskey. I don't think you have anything to worry about. I know I have a problem but I go to work every day and take care of my family. I did quit smoking tho so that's a pluss. I have given up a lot of bad habits as part of growing up and being responsible. I may quit drinking some day but not any day soon I enjoy it too much...

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 4:37 pm
by cede
dukethebeagle120 we are neighbours :)

That said, I'm not a heavy drinker at all. I can pass 2 weeks without drinking a beer, booze or wine.
Depends on the mood, if I have some visit, time....
I do not restrict myself at all, it's just that I do not feel like wanting to have a drink.
About stilling, I am about gathering new stuff because I put an hold on brewing/stilling for almost 2 years.
Not that I do not like it, but children growing up, little time and to many things to do.

I do not think about taking a break of one thing or another, it just happens.
I have a car in my garage waiting to be finished for about 8 years now... Body will have time to rust again ! :lolno:

Everyone has it's own way of life.

You, too much drinking? No, I do not think so.
As per medical recommendations, you should not be drinking over a beer per day.
Getting a drink once or twice in a week, well not a full pint of shine, is really okay I think.
Social drinking is one thing, but enjoying a drink is another thing.
I won't call it a pastime. Distilling, trying to improve flavours, trying new recipes, this is a pastime.

Drinking should be considered as a problem when you drink but you don't know why or get drunk too often.
I believe that any abuse or extreme behavior is a problem.

So, this is just you :D

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 5:15 pm
by Kareltje
I took a time out of distilling when my still showed too much leaks. But I did not quit drinking.
I do not like beer, for it makes me piss too much.
I very much like distilates, but they make you drunk too soon.
Wine is in the middle, so I mostly drink wine. Only starting at 22:00, but I swallow down about 2 bottles, so about 200 ml pure alcohol each evening. I calculated that it takes me 24 hours to metabolize it!

I had a timeout a few times, and I felt better. But after some time I felt a craving, and started drinking again. And then I lost control again. I try to restrict myself to 100 ml absolute alcohol (aa) per evening, but I find myself cheating.

Bloodtests showed that going down from 200 ml aa to 100 ml aa also halved some indicators in my blood. But this does hardly is a motivation to sober up.

I have a lot of my own products waiting to be consumed, but I still drink mostly wine.

I am an alcoholic, according to standard definitions. And I feel the drawbacks more and more. But we have to die anyway.

I like this hobby, but not in the first place for the products. The technique, the tastes, the labels. I guess I will stop when I get bored. But I doubt that will happen in the foreseeable future.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 8:31 pm
by Antler24
dukethebeagle120 wrote:i`ve been thinking of taking a time out lately
i really enjoy this hobby but i have to admit i drink more now then ever
and the ease of availabilty i find makes me enjoy drinking more.
i don`t drink everyday,maybe one evening or two a week
and may get a little twisted every 2-3 weeks
does that seem alot or is it just me
i am just looking to see if my drinking is becoming a problem
the way i see it drinking is a social thing and should not become a passtime
i should be able to have other pastimes
so if anyone has any input on this shitty topic let me know
thnx guys

That's not too much drinking in my opinion. As long as "twisted up" doesn't mean the wife finds you on the lawn in the morning in your underwear. Can't agree with the social part though, I drink way more alone then I do socially. For me it's an hour of relaxing and unwinding after the day's work is done and the kids are put to bed. I'll pour a few fingers and might sip on that for 2hrs.
I mostly only run the still during the fall and winter months now. Fishing usually takes my spare time during summer.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 8:47 pm
by zapata
Old Town wrote:I did quit smoking tho so that's a pluss.
:clap:
Good on ya mate! That's by far the damndest thing I ever did. Took me about 10 different quits over about 5 years before I managed to stick with it. Unlike most people I know, I found drinking substantially more than I was at the time actually helped me not smoke. I'd just pour another whiskey every time I wanted to step out and light up.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 10:28 pm
by jb-texshine
Well I'll put it like this
I was hooked on" illegal stimulants" for ten years. Been clean 10 years but Sometime I still feel the urge to use. I don't and haven't in ten years. But when the urge is bad enough drinking keeps my mind off it. Alcohol has never been a problem like that shit was. In the average week I have maybe 3 beers and a bottle of wine or mead and maybe a pint of liquor.
Two or three times a year I have to drown my daemons though,that requires as much as a quart and some.
I've probably said too much.
Hope you guys don't think less of me for it.
Jbt

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 10:46 pm
by RedwoodHillBilly
JB, Good on you brother. I'm glad that you have your demons under control. Keep on keeping on.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 10:52 pm
by jb-texshine
Thank you sir.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 10:57 pm
by jon1163
kiwi Bruce wrote:No idea how old you are...and I don't need to know...some advice from an old timer. Do it now...if you are under 59...don't wait, do it now ! There is a distilling rest coming your way...I hope later rather than sooner, when some smug faced MD says "you have Bah bah in the who what" within ear shot of your significant other...Who then says "You have to stop this "Thing" you have for booze!" and you will, give it a rest for a year or two, and you'll be miserable. You may get back to it..depends on how bad the "Bah bah in the who what" is, in your case. If it's significant your HD days are over...there are a good number of wonderful HD's who are no longer on the forum, and some are no longer with us. As to the amount you drink...To quote Miss Piggy "Too much is never enough !" well, not really...let your conscience be your guide...I used to have two homebrews and a two finger full glass of single malt each night with a cigar. Then I had a run in with some smug faced MD, three or four years ago, now I allow myself "Free Friday" same amount, just each Friday. At sometime in the future I'll get the "Bah bah in the who what" again...so sod it ! Drink, make booze and be happy, while you can !
You sir, sound like a sage.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 1:43 am
by fizzix
anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Not while I'm still kicking.
When I die my friends are going to party on my behalf and remember the raucous laughter we shared.
It twists my man tits to be reserved here at Home Distiller, but this isn't the place for extreme nonsense.
But it IS the provider for it.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:51 am
by Antler24
I was a beer drinker when I started this hobby. I didn't drink spirits at all, ever. I was more interested in making it than drinking it. Then I tried bourbon for the first time. I liked it, so that became my goal.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 8:22 am
by aircarbonarc
Distilling has consumed my life and I've actually planned my work year around it so I'll have a few weeks to a month off dedicated to it. When I first started I was drinking alot, I drank more than I made and I bought bottles for reaseaech. I would host vodka and booze parties with my friend who also distilled. I discovered I want to do this full-time, as Labour intensive and life consuming as it is. I built and ran my first still at age 30, and now I'm 38 with thousands of hours invested, and I've graduated from sugar wash to AG vodkas and whiskey. At the current moment though I have to take breaks from my craft, I have a fast car that needs attention and a job that takes me away from home for extended periods of time. In 3 years I figure i could be a full time distiller and kiss my day job goodbye

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 9:35 am
by Expat
Last week I was working on my own rum in my frozen home in the north.

This week I'm drinking rum on the beach in Jamaica!

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:41 pm
by dukethebeagle120
i`ll be there soon hehehe :thumbup:

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 5:50 pm
by dukethebeagle120
well gonna have to take this timeout
having some anxiety issues so gonna stop drinking and stillin for a while
got to get back in shape
will still be kickin around and learning
but need a break
keep up the great subjects :thumbup:
duke

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 6:17 pm
by cede
I understand you.
Sometimes you just need to take a step back and recharge the batteries !

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 7:37 pm
by RedwoodHillBilly
No, never.That's sacrilege.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 7:56 pm
by BayouShine
Due to the nature of my work, I have to take a 9 month hiatus from stilling every year. It's balls to the walls when things are busy, but when it's my slow time it's like having 3 months off. I'm smack in the middle right now so I've been running mashes like crazy to get everything barreled up before it's showtime again. The one big plus to this is I have a fine stock of aged whiskeys and rums to put in my liquor cabinet.

So yes, I do take a break and it's probably a good thing because that "want" is still there for the hobby.

Re: anyone ever take a timeout from stilling and drinking

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 9:27 pm
by The Baker
I took about three years off from distilling until about two years ago.
I was working on family history.

Then a massive grass fire destroyed the big plastic tank at the farm shed so I couldn't distil there any more without water; so I have been setting up at home.
I have been really pleased with results, a nice brandy from old and leftover wine, and a good, five times pot stilled, vodka.
I think I am getting the hang of this!!
At the moment I am setting up a 'trolley' on wheels for the big worm (in a 44 gallon copper drum cut down to two-thirds. That's 55 gallon in US gallons) so that I don't have to run the reticulated water through the liebig.
The trolley was too low so I am making up a sort of box for it to sit on. It was too low (on just the wheels) to put a collecting vessel under the outlet.
It is a bigger job than I expected; scraping rust from the trolley, hand sawing and hand sanding the wood, and painting it all.
The trolley and wood were free but the PAINT cost $35! And say $5 to $10 for sand paper.
Anyway it should look nice.
I have bought four door stops to use as chocks under the two fixed wheels...

Geoff