Third party milling, mashing, and fermenting...?

sw29 · Post by **sw29** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 9:17 am

I am working on a business plan for a distilled spirits plant. One 'hole' in the plan has been the cost of preparing my own mash or purchasing it from a third party. I know that companies exist that will provide a fermented mash for distillation, but I cannot seem to find them on the internet. the only reason I am aware of them at all is from multiple articles that reference this type of business

"The milling, mashing, and fermenting steps of the distillation process can be contracted out to an off-site third-part..."

Can anyone help me with a name, website, or maybe a better way to search for this type of business?

stoker · Post by **stoker** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 9:22 am

how big would the quantities of the washes be?
it's possible to buy sugar solutions (1000l)
can you give us some background info?

sw29 · Post by **sw29** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 9:39 am

I am interested in a corn mash/wort for vodka production. The quantities would depend on how large of still I end up purchasing so I will just say 'bulk' since I am guessing this type of company will sell a lot of different quantities.

stoker · Post by **stoker** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:10 am

do you have acutually plans to build a 'factory'?, with a licence I hope?

KatoFong · Post by **KatoFong** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:16 am

I would worry about getting a license first and a distributor. If you are doing your own distribution, that limits your legal ability to make your own alcohol (as I understand it).

The Chemist · Post by **The Chemist** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:48 am

Good luck. The laws are written to prevent you from doing that. For example, to get the license, you have to have a still for them to inspect. But possesion of the still is illegal without a license. Go figure!! Bottom line is, the guys in the business want to keep everyone else out.

sw29 · Post by **sw29** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:35 am

I will begin the license process as soon as the funds are raised. I have no distilling equipment currently since I am trying to start this business and be 100% legal. What I am working on now is the business plan to determine and raise the funds necessary to start up this proposed company.

I have fleshed out most of it, but I have a few remaining pieces to finish. One being a source to aquire a fermented corn mash for distillation since doing that in house would increase the space needed, man power, equipment, and time.

stoker · Post by **stoker** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 1:30 am

sw29 wrote:One being a source to aquire a fermented corn mash for distillation since doing that in house would increase the space needed, man power, equipment, and time.

but also increase the cost and it might be good for the quality

and I think your company has to be pritty big to make proffit (licence, equipment,...)

maximk · Post by **maximk** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:21 pm

where are you located?

sw29 · Post by **sw29** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 6:13 am

Texas

junkyard dawg · Post by **junkyard dawg** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:54 am

you might try talking to Tito and Paula about how they got started... I dream of this too, but there are some high hurdles in the way of getting those permits and setting up shop... good luck.

sw29 · Post by **sw29** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 2:08 pm

Thanks. You are correct that they do not make it easy. I have attempted to contact both Paula and Tito, but as you might have guessed they are not exactly handing over written instructions on how to do this. I have most all of the info that I need, but I am still looking for a third party that sells fermented wash that can be used for distilling.

mat · Post by **mat** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 11:52 am

It seems that micro-distilers are starting to get popular. Often they Start as micro-breweries since they are half way to being distilaries. I'd suggest contacting the companies who sell micro-brewery equipment and small scale stills. Typically those companies have support systems for start ups. If your serious about the busniness a good company will help you with logistics. Another thing to try for third party grain based mash or wash is to contact breweries. Bigger micros contract brew beers for other companies. I worked for a small brewer and they contract brewed, as well as shipped some of their beer via tanker truck to another off site bottling plant. So it can be done. The bussiness's equiped to make washes or wort from grain are breweries or ethanol plants. Shouldn't be hard to find. Also depending on how alcohol is taxed in your state, fermenting a mash might be more economical. A couple used fermenters arn't too expensive and mash/wort should be cheaper than fermented mash since the company can make and ship it without wasting fermenter space and labour, plus no tax on alcohol purchased cuz it's not there yet. Around here the laws are very strict about taxing alcohol as it leaves it point of production.(but I'm a long way from Texas!) Let us know how the plans go, I'm curious!

P.S. my first post in these forums!