Hi from the hills of Tennessee

[ridge runner]

A little about me:
I’m a home brewer for over ten years, a wine maker for several generations, a tinkerer, and a big fan of drinking. I hope to make some new friends maybe find a lost one or two and avoid the mistakes I have been reading about, all the while refining my skills.

My hobbies are caving, motorcycles and home brewing, not necessarily in that order though. I have seen dozens of old still sites in the deep backwoods of the south while searching for a hole in the ground to explore; they were intriguing but seen better days. Talked to a lot of moonshiners looking for caves and drank shine my entire adult life.

I have a lot of beer and wine brewing stuff, carboys, burners, kettles, crocks, filters and too many kegs to count. Have a good grasp of the fundamentals, can read a hydrometer and have made several ales and lagers worthy of mention and drinking. Guess I’m just trying to gain some valuable knowledge about distilling, keep from blowing myself up and have some fun while doing it. Also I want to put it all my home brew stuff to a new good use (so I can justify having it) and make some good clean distilled water…and with your help maybe more.

My still is a reflux type, VM, LM (I think), 2” copper on a 50 ltr stainless keg pot, heated with a banjo burner.

Pretty much covers me, my wants, my goals, my hobbies and my play...

[Prairiepiss]

Welcome aboard. From the hills of Kansas.

Post up some pics of the still. We like copper porn.

[ridge runner]

Thanks for the welcome.
BTW Didn't know Kansas had any hills but you guys did give ue the "wizard of OZ" so you have my respect. I will gladly post pics as soon I figure out how to...

[rgarry]

Welcome. The knowledge here is incredible and the willingness to help is amazing. Read, read and then read. As a home brewer you will have an advantage on all the fermentation, sanitization etc. Your equipment will come in handle. Your learning curve will be steep but you will get there. I live in Florida but bro is in bartlett and him and his buds are always drinking my spirits.

[OlympicMtDoo]

Welcome ridge runner, from the Olympic Mts near the other coast, sounds like you have a grerat base knowlege to get you off to a good start. Enjoy OMD

[Bayou-Ruler]

welcome to the forum

[ssw]

hello from just below your border

[Bushman]

Welcome, as PP said pictures would be nice. If you are not sure if you have a VM or LM still I would suggest to review the Parent site and look at the definitions between the various reflux stills.

PS, caving sounds like an interesting hobby have you found anything of interest besides old moonshine stills?

[Slow & Steady]

Welcome, Ridge Runner, from the Blue Ridge Mountains. The only problem I have with 'outdoor locations' and other natural settings is the path that ends up leading to yours.

S&S

[WV Shine]

Welcome Ridge Runner,

We seem to have the same set of hobbies My name will tell ya where I'm from originally, although I've since moved to the Rockies. Unfortunately the caving out here is a bit more scarce Don't meet many cavers... anywhere, let alone on distilling forums! So I figured I'd say hey

While these mtns are lacking in caves, riding out here is just as good, if not better

Good luck with the new hobby, it's a blast!

[seaguy]

Welcome Ridgerunner from an X AL caver, though, moved to the coast for the Salt Life. You'll learn some great recipes and techniques here.