sweetfeed whisky

[culvercreek]

Well last night was the first stripping run of the SF. My PH crashed on the ferment for some reason and, while it didn't finish to dry it was still sitting with about 8% ABV in the wash, so I ran it. Wonderful recipe. We ran 10 gallons and I pulled 4 pints of hearts out to set aside (120 proof). The rest went to the carboy for the spirit run. We run the other 10 gallons tonight. I may have screwed up though. I used backset from the run to dissolve the sugar for the next batch. removed about 25% of the grain that was in there. Ended up with about half backset and half new water. My PH strips only go down to 4.5 and is was below that so it didn't even register. (I have to get a different strip tonight). I probably shouldn't have used backset since I knew it was too low in PH. Wasn't thinking. Any ideas to bring the PH up without wrecking the taste or harming the yeast?

[Raging56]

Well last night was the first stripping run of the SF. My PH crashed on the ferment for some reason and, while it didn't finish to dry it was still sitting with about 8% ABV in the wash, so I ran it. Wonderful recipe. We ran 10 gallons and I pulled 4 pints of hearts out to set aside (120 proof). The rest went to the carboy for the spirit run. We run the other 10 gallons tonight. I may have screwed up though. I used backset from the run to dissolve the sugar for the next batch. removed about 25% of the grain that was in there. Ended up with about half backset and half new water. My PH strips only go down to 4.5 and is was below that so it didn't even register. (I have to get a different strip tonight). I probably shouldn't have used backset since I knew it was too low in PH. Wasn't thinking. Any ideas to bring the PH up without wrecking the taste or harming the yeast?

I'm no pro...but I use baking soda. a little goes a LONG way so be careful. I have never had any issues with taste ether. I would grab a few more opinions tho...I'm still learning myself.

[T-Pee]

Calcium carbonate, Tums, whatever.

tp

[culvercreek]

Thank you. Just picked up some calcium Carbonate. Has anyone seen a dosage chart (like you get for a pool?)

[T-Pee]

I add a couple tablespoons, wait a half hour, take a pH reading, repeat until you get where you're going.

I also run 10 gallon washes.

tp

[batnballs]

When I opened my bucket it had the film of grease on it and pockets of grease. Needless to say it went to the woods. I'll Have another sweet feed ready in a couple of days. This one is deer corn. Will let you know how it goes as well. Thanks again for all the help while I am learning this hobby.

[culvercreek]

When I opened my bucket it had the film of grease on it and pockets of grease. Needless to say it went to the woods. I'll Have another sweet feed ready in a couple of days. This one is deer corn. Will let you know how it goes as well. Thanks again for all the help while I am learning this hobby.

What do you mean by "grease". I just ran mine the last two days and it had an oily sheen on the top of the buckets. I attributed it to the molasses.

[batnballs]

actual pockets of yellow slick grease. I believe it's from animal by products that were in the pellets. The wash had a slimy greasy slick feel to it.

[Hound Dog]

Yea, it shouldn't have pellets. That was the first mistake....

[T-Pee]

Yea, it shouldn't have pellets.

+1

tp

[nickbbb]

Tried this little bad boy for my last run. All I can say is WOW! This is a great recipe and really simple! Found the sweet feed at a local feed store that packages this ready to go (plus its a local company) 50# bag should last quite some time! And as soon as I was finished with the first run I instantly knew I was backsetting. But a tip for the sweet feed- the molasses in this will dry out if you leave it open to the air- so I filled 1gal bags and weighed them so that when I backset I just grab the bag and dump it in! Thanks for the great recipe!!

[superdaveva]

Batn balls get all grain horse feed, not sweet feed.

[Hound Dog]

Batn balls get all grain horse feed, not sweet feed.

[acfixer69]

Funny none of the Tractor Supply stores in CT or RI carried the Producers Pride All Grain in stock. Tried for two years to get them to stock it to no avail. After asking them many times they would not special order it for me. I have been in the two CT stores near me and there it is not only in a slot on the shelf but on the end cap is a stack I'll bet our interest is what got it out there. It is So Good. If you tried in the past look again.

AC

[Due51]

Gen 7 or 8 (I've lost track) has finished fermenting and waiting for me to strip. I have 3.5 gallons of stripped product waiting for a spirit run. I think I'm going to do half in pot still mode and the other half in reflux mode. Frankly, I haven't really liked the whiskey I've produced as much as the neutral.

To each their own, I guess.

[Southern comfort]

We'll I've racked my wash and due to work it's gonna be a week or so till I can run it. Has anyone had any problems with the wash going bad if so how long can I leave it racked. I've only left it long enough to clear in the past. I'm in the south so it's getting pretty warm during the day.

[Hound Dog]

Put a lid on it and don't disturb it, it can sit a long time. I have gone weeks. It will clear nicely.

[nerdybrewer]

I'd like to start making this and I've gone to my local feed store and found a couple bags that are labeled "sweet feed".
I've read enough to know I shouldn't just buy it and try it, so here's what they are offering - do either or both of these sound right?
Country Acres Horse Sweet 12
Country Acres Sweet Mix Plus

I'll try and upload images of the ingredient lists:

[RevSpaminator]

Anytime you see "a preservative" then you can guess it will give you trouble. I suggest you find another source. Someone else may have other experience.

[nerdybrewer]

I thought that was possibly a red flag.
I'll go back, they also have some bags of oats and bags of corn so maybe there's something else there I'm missing.
I'd like it if they had COB - but didn't see any on my last trip.

[nerdybrewer]

They also have dry COB that only contains one preservative.
Then there's the wet COB that also has several preservatives.
Here's the ingredients for that one:

[islandgreen1971]

It will say , " All Grain " Molasses, Corn, Oats.. Tracor Supply is producers pride.Anything with preservatives isnt good or pellets in it. It needs to be perishable. No presevatives.

[nerdybrewer]

Ok, I'll keep looking. No Tractor Supply near here.
There's another feed store a couple towns away I'll try that.

[islandgreen1971]

Just make sure its says All Grain, and there is no pellets in it.

[nerdybrewer]

I called the biggest place around here for miles and they said all theirs had some preservatives in it.
What's a guy to do?
Are there some preservatives that are worse than others and some that are tolerable?

[islandgreen1971]

As lond as uts all grain, you should be fine. In Tried and True Recipe Uncle Jesse's Sweet Sour Mash is a great recipe for a beginner, and it makes a great product. All you will need is cracked corn & Sugar. Make sure your ph if the water is 4.5-6.

[JFlipz]

I'm also a beginner, and have played with multiple shots at several recipes so far....
While a SLIGHTLY different 'type' of recipe; I must say, RAD's ALL-Bran (also in tried and true section) is VERY easy to follow and all of the ingredients are easily readily available!
(Everyone has a mega-store in their town these days!)

[nerdybrewer]

I've made all bran several times and want to try something else now, this explains the interest in sweetfeed.
I'll check about the "all grain" part. Thanks!

[rad14701]

The amount of water used dilutes any preservatives so it shouldn't effect fermentation at all...

[JFlipz]

I've made all bran several times and want to try something else now, this explains the interest in sweetfeed.

Pretty good reason to move on then I reckon; sorry, only made the recommendation because my similar frustration with finding the right grain... Which lead me to reach out to a farmer friend of mine.... Who then told me EXACTLY everything he'd ever found in his bags of sweetfeed grain.


.....which lead me to chose a different recipe!

Or Can you buy screen for vermin feces at the brew shop?