distilling beer

[stillenand chillen]

Someone gave me 21 gallons of bad beer to distill, never did this and dont know if it can be done, havent read a post on this subject, anyone know were or if this can be done and if it is worth it. the beer is about 8 proof, any help would be appreciated. thank you

[stillbuilder]

Works just fine. I think i'd run it thru a paint strainer bag to pull any hop particles out of it first though. Thats what Ive done on my homebrew if I have a batch that turns out bad.
Give it a go.
SB

[stillenand chillen]

thanks, how did your product tast

[Boda Getta]

Assuming the beer was hopped, would not the hop bitterness be a problem?

BG

[Washashore]

http://www.google.com/search?rls=en-us& ... 24&bih=672" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[MuleKicker]

yes, hops is a problem. Cant get the bitter taste out. There have been a few threads about it over the years. I believe the hops oil can stick in your still and carry over to later runs.... If I remember right. I distilled a few kegs of beer when i first started out, trying to just get neutral... Never got that taste out.

[stillbuilder]

Mine turned out just fine though I don't brew heavily hopped beer. And I use pelletized hops. I think the leaf hops have more of the oils that MK referred to. I didn't notice the difference in taste . If you're going to drink it clear you might, but I Oaked mine and it was Gooood.

SB

[RevSpaminator]

Hop pellets provide the same oils and resins that leaf hops provide. Most brewers will tell you they are functionally the same. I'm a snob so I prefer leaf hops... that and I can order them online for a lot less than I can buy the pellets.

20 gallons of beer is hard to throw away, unless it has turned to vinegar. MK, did you ever get your equipment clean? Those hop oils and resins should dissolve in soap and water. They are typically released by boiling water so steam should also help clean them up. What was your experience?