Hi. New guy here...
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- Novice
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Hi. New guy here...
... from the PNW, & I’m located north of 49 degrees.
I’m on 5 acres of mountain side. We planted a good sized orchard of apples, pears (European & Asian), cherries, plums, nuts and berries. We dry a lot and we can a lot. But this year, after many years, we had a bumper crop across the board. So, it’s time to realize the old plan from when we first bought the property & make good use of all that fruit that’s not already been made into dried snacks, granola, and jam.
I’m a whiskey guy, mostly, but with all that fruit I’m looking to make some brandies instead. I did my research - including on this forum - and I chose to buy a still out of the box: a nice, all copper 6 gallon pot still with thumper and worm, from one of your great New England craftsmen. I’d be happy to let you know the maker, if you wish.
I’ve got three carboys of wash on the porch standing by: pear cider, apple cider, and a plum/blackberry combo wine.
This weekend the plan is to do the vinegar run, followed by pure water.
I’ve rejigged the workshop to create a harvest kitchen in one corner, & prepping the pad outside to set up the still. With all the canning we do it’s no problem to round up 15 or 16 500ml jars to do the cuts with. Today I even got my wife excited about joining me in the blending process, adding bits of heads and tails to the hearts to come up with a tasty brandy (yes, she’s something).
So, thanks for the forum. I’ll be looking forward to reading what’s going on & applying it all to my process.
I’m on 5 acres of mountain side. We planted a good sized orchard of apples, pears (European & Asian), cherries, plums, nuts and berries. We dry a lot and we can a lot. But this year, after many years, we had a bumper crop across the board. So, it’s time to realize the old plan from when we first bought the property & make good use of all that fruit that’s not already been made into dried snacks, granola, and jam.
I’m a whiskey guy, mostly, but with all that fruit I’m looking to make some brandies instead. I did my research - including on this forum - and I chose to buy a still out of the box: a nice, all copper 6 gallon pot still with thumper and worm, from one of your great New England craftsmen. I’d be happy to let you know the maker, if you wish.
I’ve got three carboys of wash on the porch standing by: pear cider, apple cider, and a plum/blackberry combo wine.
This weekend the plan is to do the vinegar run, followed by pure water.
I’ve rejigged the workshop to create a harvest kitchen in one corner, & prepping the pad outside to set up the still. With all the canning we do it’s no problem to round up 15 or 16 500ml jars to do the cuts with. Today I even got my wife excited about joining me in the blending process, adding bits of heads and tails to the hearts to come up with a tasty brandy (yes, she’s something).
So, thanks for the forum. I’ll be looking forward to reading what’s going on & applying it all to my process.
- Oldvine Zin
- Site Donor
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- Joined: Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:16 pm
- Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: Hi. New guy here...
Welcome from another PNWer.
Sounds like you are on the right track but don't forget to do your sacrificial alcohol run before you run your precious fruit washes. If you don't want to make a cheap sugar wash for it just buy some cheap alcohol ( wine or real cheap vodka, dilute it down to under 50 abv) oh and read this site until your eyes bleed I learn something new here everyday.
OVZ
Sounds like you are on the right track but don't forget to do your sacrificial alcohol run before you run your precious fruit washes. If you don't want to make a cheap sugar wash for it just buy some cheap alcohol ( wine or real cheap vodka, dilute it down to under 50 abv) oh and read this site until your eyes bleed I learn something new here everyday.
OVZ
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- Master of Distillation
- Posts: 3387
- Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:27 pm
- Location: Ontario
Re: Hi. New guy here...
Bienvenue / Welcome to HD from a fellow Canuck from Ontario
You are fortunate to have all those fruits available, you're in for some good brandy.. don't rush in make the brandy, and learn from the best who is Cranky.. read a much as you can from his posted threads..
Mars
You are fortunate to have all those fruits available, you're in for some good brandy.. don't rush in make the brandy, and learn from the best who is Cranky.. read a much as you can from his posted threads..
Mars
" I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent. Curiosity, Obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism, have brought me to my knowledge and understanding "
– Albert Einstein
– Albert Einstein
Re: Hi. New guy here...
Now that's a fine introduction!
Yes don't forget the final sacrificial alcohol run after the vinegar clean in that new still.
It's all in a link I've placed below if you have questions.
I predict you're going to have a fun time here. Welcome.
Yes don't forget the final sacrificial alcohol run after the vinegar clean in that new still.
It's all in a link I've placed below if you have questions.
I predict you're going to have a fun time here. Welcome.
- BlackStrap
- Swill Maker
- Posts: 301
- Joined: Thu Mar 02, 2017 3:48 pm
- Location: The hills of Appalachia
Re: Hi. New guy here...
Welcome Eau Claire sounds like you are on your way to making some fine Brandies.
Keep us posted on how things turn out. and pictures are always welcome
Keep us posted on how things turn out. and pictures are always welcome
Most questions can be answered here http://homedistiller.org/ and here http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=46
The one who cuts the firewood gets twice the warmth
The one who cuts the firewood gets twice the warmth
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Re: Hi. New guy here...
Thanks for the heads up OVZ. Definitely I'll be on it. Reminded my wife what I'd read on these pages about not being greedy & letting the process be what it is to bring us to an eventual good product. Being a fine baker, herself, she gets it too. Reading away...Oldvine Zin wrote:Welcome from another PNWer.
Sounds like you are on the right track but don't forget to do your sacrificial alcohol run before you run your precious fruit washes. If you don't want to make a cheap sugar wash for it just buy some cheap alcohol ( wine or real cheap vodka, dilute it down to under 50 abv) oh and read this site until your eyes bleed I learn something new here everyday.
OVZ
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- Novice
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- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2018 6:17 pm
Re: Hi. New guy here...
Hey Mars, thanks for the welcome, eh! Yes, in spite of all the years fighting the deer, and the forest, and blackberries I do feel very fortunate. Something good is going on & I'm looking forward to a winter of experimentation. I'll be reading all the Cranky posts I can find. Thanks!StillerBoy wrote:Bienvenue / Welcome to HD from a fellow Canuck from Ontario
You are fortunate to have all those fruits available, you're in for some good brandy.. don't rush in make the brandy, and learn from the best who is Cranky.. read a much as you can from his posted threads..
Mars
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- Novice
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- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2018 6:17 pm
Re: Hi. New guy here...
Hey Fizzix. Thanks for the link. Didn't expect you all to be so supportive right out of the gate & it's pretty cool. This is what the internet should be all about! Looking forward to the learning curve ahead. Cheers!fizzix wrote:Now that's a fine introduction!
Yes don't forget the final sacrificial alcohol run after the vinegar clean in that new still.
It's all in a link I've placed below if you have questions.
I predict you're going to have a fun time here. Welcome.
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- Novice
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- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2018 6:17 pm
Re: Hi. New guy here...
Thanks BlackStrap. Good to meet you. I'll definitely post pictures then. I hope the fine brandies come sooner than later - I set the bar kind of high by introducing my wife to some Calvados and Slivovitz ("Oh, that's really nice. Make one like that!").BlackStrap wrote:Welcome Eau Claire sounds like you are on your way to making some fine Brandies.
Keep us posted on how things turn out. and pictures are always welcome
Re: Hi. New guy here...
Eau Claire wrote:Hey Mars, thanks for the welcome, eh! Yes, in spite of all the years fighting the deer, and the forest, and blackberries I do feel very fortunate. Something good is going on & I'm looking forward to a winter of experimentation. I'll be reading all the Cranky posts I can find. Thanks!StillerBoy wrote:Bienvenue / Welcome to HD from a fellow Canuck from Ontario
You are fortunate to have all those fruits available, you're in for some good brandy.. don't rush in make the brandy, and learn from the best who is Cranky.. read a much as you can from his posted threads..
Mars
I’d happily help with the deer problem, say every fall?
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Re: Hi. New guy here...
Ha! Yea. Black Tail here. I can see an outdoor stew pot & rounds of shine in the cool air!hpby98 wrote:Eau Claire wrote:Hey Mars, thanks for the welcome, eh! Yes, in spite of all the years fighting the deer, and the forest, and blackberries I do feel very fortunate. Something good is going on & I'm looking forward to a winter of experimentation. I'll be reading all the Cranky posts I can find. Thanks!StillerBoy wrote:Bienvenue / Welcome to HD from a fellow Canuck from Ontario
You are fortunate to have all those fruits available, you're in for some good brandy.. don't rush in make the brandy, and learn from the best who is Cranky.. read a much as you can from his posted threads..
Mars
I’d happily help with the deer problem, say every fall?
Re: Hi. New guy here...
Be right over !Eau Claire wrote:Ha! Yea. Black Tail here. I can see an outdoor stew pot & rounds of shine in the cool air!hpby98 wrote:Eau Claire wrote:Hey Mars, thanks for the welcome, eh! Yes, in spite of all the years fighting the deer, and the forest, and blackberries I do feel very fortunate. Something good is going on & I'm looking forward to a winter of experimentation. I'll be reading all the Cranky posts I can find. Thanks!StillerBoy wrote:Bienvenue / Welcome to HD from a fellow Canuck from Ontario
You are fortunate to have all those fruits available, you're in for some good brandy.. don't rush in make the brandy, and learn from the best who is Cranky.. read a much as you can from his posted threads..
Mars
I’d happily help with the deer problem, say every fall?