sweetfeed whisky

[MAD AL]

I started making sweet feed whisky 18 months ago and have now done about 40 washes I couldn't get sweet feed here in the UK so made up my own using corn oats barley an molasses, Iv now got 9 gallons of a very nice whisky, I soak mine on JD wood chips for about a month be for adding 50ml of maple syrup.
Alan

[Backwoods Bandit]

Howdy folks! I've got 10 gals of this ready to run today and curious to see how it turns out. I am using the cheap sweet feed with the pellets but after 8 days it has fermented out and thinned quite nicely compared to how it started out. I wasn't able to get a SG reading for lack of a hydrometer but tested it this morning and its just barely above 1.000, smells of strong alcohol, and bitter. Orginally it was very sweet tasting so I'm hoping this is a good sign. If not, I will have only lost about $10 in exchange for learning by trial and error. I will update with results of the run this evening.

[packfan61]

so i've read a lot of posts on here. And I am a novice at this. My question is: under the home distillation of alcohol page it says for whiskey, to heat your grain (cracked or crushed malt ) , then strain off the grain and ferment your wash. Is this only if your using corn? As the tried and true recipe for sweetfeed shine says to add boiled water,and later cooled water, to your grain and ferment the whole mash ( grain,sugar,yeast,water ), then strain prior to running it.I'm using a simple pot still.So the latter method ( tried and true for sweetfeed ) would give me a better tasting shine, correct? What's the proper way to strain the grain out of the fermented mash before running it? just simply pour through a mesh strainer? I'm thinking that if I syphoned it there would be debris in my wash that could possibly burn in the bottom of my pot still . Also, will i get more quantity and higher alcohol content by leaving the grain in to ferment? A guy told me he strains his sweetfeed grain off prior to fermentation, after he cooks it for an hour, and he still strains his wash prior to running it. I want the best method when making mine. Can someone help me with these issues please!I do use the sweetfeed all grain for my shine and have been straining it prior to fermentation as a friend had told me to do.

[Rastus]

at this moment in time Feb 27th 2013 i finally finished reading the entire sweet feed thread WOWZY!!!

IT SEEMS THERE SHOULD BE A CERTIFICATE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT!

caps off now... i have a batch going now, the total volume is 11 gallons I made a double batch of the original, for yeast i used some leftover from my ferments of a DWWG 5 gallon batch to clean my 2 stills 3" pot still and a 3" Boka after i racked the dwwg into a carboy i poured the sludge from the bottom into my sweet feed and a palm full of bakers yeast for good measure. it took right off. i work in a manner of tasting everything at every step, and i have to say it is hard to resist pulling a half gallon of this wort and hopping it just for fun... it tastes great just sipping a shot glass full to see how she changes in personality as she dries up so to speak.... it seems the oat hulls in my COB floated up to the top and formed about a 2-3 inch cap, but, the translucent 12 gallon pail i am using allows me to see the yeast as it is rioting in the mix.
unfortunately for me my hydrometer broke yesterday, and i didnt get the original gravity anyways... so i will just go by taste as to when the sugar is used up, then rack chill and let it clear a bit... cant wait this will be the culmination of over a year of reading learning and building... i started with my boka and then realized i should also have a pot still so since i had left overs of the most expensive parts any way i went ahead and built the pot still so next week when i get back home from a business trip, i am going to fire it all up and giver a run, cleaning first and then load up the sweet feed and go...

Thanks to all you guys who asked the same questions i had and thos guys who were patient and understanding and shared your wisdom to make this a great library of knowledge and craft.

best wishes to all

[Bmwgsboy]

So I decided to make a sweet feed wash, I started with a sp of 1.60 after two days it started to smell alittle bad is that normal???

[Stainless dude]

I started making sweet feed whisky 18 months ago and have now done about 40 washes I couldn't get sweet feed here in the UK so made up my own using corn oats barley an molasses, Iv now got 9 gallons of a very nice whisky, I soak mine on JD wood chips for about a month be for adding 50ml of maple syrup.
Alan

Hi Al. I curious about adding the maple syrup. Your adding that after oaking or during. And what, you add some sweetness to your product?
SD

[Rastus]

BMW
bad in what way?
on mine it smells great but when i lifted the lid after a few days to whiff it, bout burned the nose hairs right out of my nose, i just figured its a good layer of the Co2 and organics from the feed like those darn oat hulls that are floating on top... its been 5 days now and man that stuff has a great flavor too " sweet feed wine " hmmm pondering the possibilities

[Stainless dude]

so i've read a lot of posts on here. And I am a novice at this. My question is: under the home distillation of alcohol page it says for whiskey, to heat your grain (cracked or crushed malt ) , then strain off the grain and ferment your wash. Is this only if your using corn? As the tried and true recipe for sweetfeed shine says to add boiled water,and later cooled water, to your grain and ferment the whole mash ( grain,sugar,yeast,water ), then strain prior to running it.I'm using a simple pot still.So the latter method ( tried and true for sweetfeed ) would give me a better tasting shine, correct? What's the proper way to strain the grain out of the fermented mash before running it? just simply pour through a mesh strainer? I'm thinking that if I syphoned it there would be debris in my wash that could possibly burn in the bottom of my pot still . Also, will i get more quantity and higher alcohol content by leaving the grain in to ferment? A guy told me he strains his sweetfeed grain off prior to fermentation, after he cooks it for an hour, and he still strains his wash prior to running it. I want the best method when making mine. Can someone help me with these issues please!I do use the sweetfeed all grain for my shine and have been straining it prior to fermentation as a friend had told me to do.

Packfan.
This is not whiskey, it is a sweetfeed wash. Leave the grain in your fermenter. When it is done fermenting you can either scoop out all of the wash with a pot or what ever and pour it through a strainer or a pillow case for that
matter. Leave the yeast and grain bed pretty much alone. After you get all of the wash out that you can, remove the top layer of feed. Replace the amount you took out. Make sure it is covered with water so your yeast don't die.
After you make your run, take 1 1/2 gallon of backset from your boiler while it is still hot and add your surgar for your new batch. Whenn it cools down to about 90 degrees add it to your fermenter, add remaining water and put the lid
on. It should take off in a few hours, mine always does.
SD

[packfan61]

Thank You Stainless dude! So my terminology is just screwed up! The recipe on the hone distillation of alcohol page is for whiskey--I'm assuming for corn and such then. Think I can handle that! Just got conflicting information and wanna make sure I got it right. Your advice solved my problem-Thanks again! And I don't have to add more yeast to the 2nd generation batch then? I should replenish the sugar though , correct?

[urbanmooner]

so i've read a lot of posts on here. And I am a novice at this. My question is: under the home distillation of alcohol page it says for whiskey, to heat your grain (cracked or crushed malt ) , then strain off the grain and ferment your wash. Is this only if your using corn? As the tried and true recipe for sweetfeed shine says to add boiled water,and later cooled water, to your grain and ferment the whole mash ( grain,sugar,yeast,water ), then strain prior to running it.I'm using a simple pot still.So the latter method ( tried and true for sweetfeed ) would give me a better tasting shine, correct? What's the proper way to strain the grain out of the fermented mash before running it? just simply pour through a mesh strainer? I'm thinking that if I syphoned it there would be debris in my wash that could possibly burn in the bottom of my pot still . Also, will i get more quantity and higher alcohol content by leaving the grain in to ferment? A guy told me he strains his sweetfeed grain off prior to fermentation, after he cooks it for an hour, and he still strains his wash prior to running it. I want the best method when making mine. Can someone help me with these issues please!I do use the sweetfeed all grain for my shine and have been straining it prior to fermentation as a friend had told me to do.

Packfan.
This is not whiskey, it is a sweetfeed wash. Leave the grain in your fermenter. When it is done fermenting you can either scoop out all of the wash with a pot or what ever and pour it through a strainer or a pillow case for that
matter. Leave the yeast and grain bed pretty much alone. After you get all of the wash out that you can, remove the top layer of feed. Replace the amount you took out. Make sure it is covered with water so your yeast don't die.
After you make your run, take 1 1/2 gallon of backset from your boiler while it is still hot and add your surgar for your new batch. Whenn it cools down to about 90 degrees add it to your fermenter, add remaining water and put the lid
on. It should take off in a few hours, mine always does.
SD

Thanks for the information stainless, I've been keeping an eye on this sweet feed wash, only because Im day 3 into my sweet feed go at it. And I was always wanted to know what backset was, I just would dump it on the lawn,,,ha.

[Bmwgsboy]

BMW
bad in what way?
on mine it smells great but when i lifted the lid after a few days to whiff it, bout burned the nose hairs right out of my nose, i just figured its a good layer of the Co2 and organics from the feed like those darn oat hulls that are floating on top... its been 5 days now and man that stuff has a great flavor too " sweet feed wine " hmmm pondering the possibilities

Mine did smell nice for a couple of days,maybe it's just me.im going to run it when it's ready. I'm still a newbi but learning a lot,as I go.my last batch was apple shine, it was pretty nasty I ran it thru the still again and came out ok.

[Kansas boy]

I spoke with the guy at the coop and he said their sweet feed has pellets in it but he could mix me some up just to let him know wht I wanted in it. So if some one could help me out with what would be a good grain mix I would greatly appreciate it. Thanx

[Stainless dude]

I spoke with the guy at the coop and he said their sweet feed has pellets in it but he could mix me some up just to let him know wht I wanted in it. So if some one could help me out with what would be a good grain mix I would greatly appreciate it. Thanx

this is from the southern states co-op

Triple Crown Horse Feeds - 14% Performance Formula

A well-balanced "sweet" feed designed for horses with specific protein needs , especially broodmares, yearlings, foals and performance horses who typicall eat grass forage. Because this ration is high in fat and numerous other alternative energy sources, it reduces the amount of feed needed to maintain excellent body condition. In fact, its unprecedented vitamin/mineral fortification will eliminate the need for other supplements. In addition to being formulated with the same triple recleaned oats, barley and corn fed daily at many premier race tracks, 14% contains roasted soybeans which are high in fat and have a flavor horses love. Triple Crown 14% now includes Rice Bran as a portion of the total fat level. Available in 50 lb. bags

There you go
SD

[Kansas boy]

So I'm guessing oats, barley,corn and mollasas

[rad14701]

So I'm guessing oats, barley,corn and mollasas

COB Mix... Corn, Oats, Barley, plus Molasses...

[Bmwgsboy]

So I'm guessing oats, barley,corn and mollasas

COB Mix... Corn, Oats, Barley, plus Molasses...

How much of each??
Or do you go by what you like in taste??
Thanks.

[rad14701]

So I'm guessing oats, barley,corn and mollasas

COB Mix... Corn, Oats, Barley, plus Molasses...

How much of each??
Or do you go by what you like in taste??
Thanks.

Unless mixed to order it is usually mixed in equal proportions of each grain and then molasses is added depending on how "hot" you want the mix to be...

[strawberryshiner1]

how is the taste of the finished product after it is ran through a column still

[smokindave]

Mine seems to be a little on the neutral side of things. However, my last run had a definite grainy sweet component that was improved. I think that sourmashing and repeated generations will keep improving this type of flavor.

I had the opportunity to try some Buffalo Trace New Make spirit the other day, and I think that my Sweetfeed is a lot smoother. The BT had more corn flavor for sure, since it is a true bourbon mash, but it also had a fair amount of bite at 62% ABV, compared to mine at the same ABV.

I think when I finally get around to doing an all-grain, I won't turn back. Depends on how much more work it feels like. Throwing some sweeetfeed and sugar in a bucket with warm water, and adding yeast and a total of about 1 hour time investment,
has its own unique appeal.

[Stainless dude]

how is the taste of the finished product after it is ran through a column still

Smooth and yummy

[RScottyL]

so i've read a lot of posts on here. And I am a novice at this. My question is: under the home distillation of alcohol page it says for whiskey, to heat your grain (cracked or crushed malt ) , then strain off the grain and ferment your wash. Is this only if your using corn? As the tried and true recipe for sweetfeed shine says to add boiled water,and later cooled water, to your grain and ferment the whole mash ( grain,sugar,yeast,water ), then strain prior to running it.I'm using a simple pot still.So the latter method ( tried and true for sweetfeed ) would give me a better tasting shine, correct? What's the proper way to strain the grain out of the fermented mash before running it? just simply pour through a mesh strainer? I'm thinking that if I syphoned it there would be debris in my wash that could possibly burn in the bottom of my pot still . Also, will i get more quantity and higher alcohol content by leaving the grain in to ferment? A guy told me he strains his sweetfeed grain off prior to fermentation, after he cooks it for an hour, and he still strains his wash prior to running it. I want the best method when making mine. Can someone help me with these issues please!I do use the sweetfeed all grain for my shine and have been straining it prior to fermentation as a friend had told me to do.

Packfan.
This is not whiskey, it is a sweetfeed wash. Leave the grain in your fermenter. When it is done fermenting you can either scoop out all of the wash with a pot or what ever and pour it through a strainer or a pillow case for that
matter. Leave the yeast and grain bed pretty much alone. After you get all of the wash out that you can, remove the top layer of feed. Replace the amount you took out. Make sure it is covered with water so your yeast don't die.
After you make your run, take 1 1/2 gallon of backset from your boiler while it is still hot and add your surgar for your new batch. Whenn it cools down to about 90 degrees add it to your fermenter, add remaining water and put the lid
on. It should take off in a few hours, mine always does.
SD

If anyone has not seen it, there is a video on YouTube by username Pontiusplate or something similar, which does something very similar to this. He walks you through the entire process! He even mentions this forum in his video description, so i assume he is a member on here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-nGbAf81Zs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[guitarpicker]

Do I need the same amount of yeast if I use distillers yeast as opposed to bread yeast?

[packfan61]

Packfan.
This is not whiskey, it is a sweetfeed wash. Leave the grain in your fermenter. When it is done fermenting you can either scoop out all of the wash with a pot or what ever and pour it through a strainer or a pillow case for that
matter. Leave the yeast and grain bed pretty much alone. After you get all of the wash out that you can, remove the top layer of feed. Replace the amount you took out. Make sure it is covered with water so your yeast don't die.
After you make your run, take 1 1/2 gallon of backset from your boiler while it is still hot and add your surgar for your new batch. Whenn it cools down to about 90 degrees add it to your fermenter, add remaining water and put the lid
on. It should take off in a few hours, mine always does.
SD

Stainless dude

this is a copy of a reply 2 one of my posts! Just have few questions about it! First I'll say I'm using a 6 gallon brew pot as a simple pot still! I have not made a run with the sweetfeed mash after leaving the grain in while it ferments. So, my questions are how much of the grain bed should i remove before adding new grain and adding the backset back to the fermentation bucket? And also I'm not sure how much backset I'll have after making a run . What if I don't have 1 1/2 gallons of backset left? should i boil more water to make 1 1/2 gallons to add back to the fermentation bucket? can I use all the backset if less than 1 1/2 gallons? Then I assume I add another 7 pounds sugar, and do I need to add any extra yeast? or whats there is sufficient? Then I add more water to make my desired 6.5 gallons to ferment-correct? Lastly , how many times can I use this trick before I should clean it all out and start from scratch again?

[Stainless dude]

Hi pacfan
I usually remove about one fourth of the grain bed. If you remove a little more or less, no worries. If your running a six gallon pot you'll have plenty of backseat for 1 1/2 gallon, but you would be fine with one gallon.
Yes, add more sugar and you should not need to add more yeast. I'm not sure how many generations you can go before things go sideways. Probly 7 or 8 would not be a problem I think.
This is a really straight forward recipe, start running it and you'll be happy with the results I'm sure..
SD

[packfan61]

Thank you Stainless! You are quite helpful! I'm currently in the works building a reflux for my pot so I can go pot or reflux with it as experimentation or recipes call for. I'm an all out type guy, so the more I learn, the more I wanna learn and try! So, Thank you again! I always think of something new again, but that's just how my brain works. LMAO! Do I need to add any nutrients for the yeast to keep them dudes happy or just let it go? And, should my shine taste better with each generation that I go with this? as this is a new adventure for me with even keeping the grain in my ferment bucket. I just like to know everything I can about this,because it's so cool!!

[Stainless dude]

Thank you Stainless! You are quite helpful! I'm currently in the works building a reflux for my pot so I can go pot or reflux with it as experimentation or recipes call for. I'm an all out type guy, so the more I learn, the more I wanna learn and try! So, Thank you again! I always think of something new again, but that's just how my brain works. LMAO! Do I need to add any nutrients for the yeast to keep them dudes happy or just let it go? And, should my shine taste better with each generation that I go with this? as this is a new adventure for me with even keeping the grain in my ferment bucket. I just like to know everything I can about this,because it's so cool!!

Hi. I usually add three table spoons of nutrient to a six gallon wash, I've read some add one per gallon. I've ran it without adding any and it came out. Play with it ans see what works best for you.
Yep your shine wil taste better and better the more generations you go
Have a good day
SD

[packfan61]

Thank you again! Always a pleasure hearing from you!

[spiritsx]

4" Producers Price AG Sweet Feed
5lbs of sugar
6 Gallons of Water
1 pack of yeast

can you be more specific about the "1 pack of yeast"? I Used Turbo yeast (too much of it) my first run. Now I picked up a couple packets of dry brewing yeast to try 2nd run. How many grams of yeast should I use for this same recipe?

[RScottyL]

4" Producers Price AG Sweet Feed
5lbs of sugar
6 Gallons of Water
1 pack of yeast

can you be more specific about the "1 pack of yeast"? I Used Turbo yeast (too much of it) my first run. Now I picked up a couple packets of dry brewing yeast to try 2nd run. How many grams of yeast should I use for this same recipe?

I think when most people mention yeast, it is the bread yeast you get in the store.

You can experiment with other yeasts depending on what "flavor" you wont, but using the turbo yeast has mixed opinions on it!

[claytonhaske]

4" Producers Price AG Sweet Feed
5lbs of sugar
6 Gallons of Water
1 pack of yeast

can you be more specific about the "1 pack of yeast"? I Used Turbo yeast (too much of it) my first run. Now I picked up a couple packets of dry brewing yeast to try 2nd run. How many grams of yeast should I use for this same recipe?

5 grams is what is in one pack of red star pasteur champagne yeast.