Just curious... Why do we make alcohol?

[Worm_Drippinz]

Nothing like making your own!


I do it to avoid hangovers too. Lmao

[Twisted Brick]

Wait...you sit to pee? Huh,always though you were a man.

I am. (Last time I looked down!)
But when I drink a lot of beer and need to pee every five minutes, I like to sit down and let the fluid flow freely from top to bottom.
Rather than stand up swaying back and forth and left and right and having to clean up everything the next day.

+1 Kareltje

I too, have grown weary of peeing every five minutes when beer-drinking, and that a flask makes everything simpler when out and about. Also, I learned early on (college) that when at home, I didn't have a stall wall to lean against to keep from falling down. So I pee when I sit and its truly legit.

The real reason I have learned to make alcohol is because its in my blood. Half of me can't drink, but the other half is Scottish (grandmother was a Gordon) - guess which half wins! So I really don't have a say in the matter. As proud as I am, it is my responsibility, my moral duty to carry on the culture and tradition of enhancing my day with a whisky or two, and that watching that little pencil-sized stream of 80 ABV alcohol pee out of my parrot really makes me happy.

[Lawfish]

I'm with irvingsprinkle. I have a skill which will be in high demand when my job as a lawyer becomes useless. I'm a prepper, which I figure most around here are. Alcohol is a valuable commodity, so stocking up on it is smart in my opinion. Otherwise, I do enjoy the process. There's so much more to distilling than I thought when I first got involved. I feel like Walter White perfecting the recipe for the best gin/whiskey/vodka I can.

[Antler24]

Not sure how it costs you $22 to make a single bottle but around here it costs me $27-28 for the cheapest rot gut shit you can buy. I'm making ujsm at about $2.75/bottle and rum comes in closer to $6 a bottle. Above all I enjoy the hobby, if I didn't drink any of it I'd still make it and give it away. It's my time to unwind and relax, and comes with a reward.

[Truckinbutch]

Not sure how it costs you $22 to make a single bottle but around here it costs me $27-28 for the cheapest rot gut shit you can buy. I'm making ujsm at about $2.75/bottle and rum comes in closer to $6 a bottle. Above all I enjoy the hobby, if I didn't drink any of it I'd still make it and give it away. It's my time to unwind and relax, and comes with a reward.

I think you nailed it from front to back . I got my legs strapped for talking numbers some years back . The economics and taste benefits remain the same today .

[NZChris]

I haven't concerned myself with the costs of any of my finished products since I was a newbie at the game thirty years ago. Back then it was economical and did save a lot on my likker bill, but I wouldn't want to work out what it costs me to make some of the fancier gins and stuff I make now.

[Saltbush Bill]

but I wouldn't want to work out what it costs me to make some of the fancier gins and stuff I make now.

What are you doing ? putting Rhinoceros horn in it or something ?

[Old Town]

It makes me proud to produce my own liquor. I've always been a drinker it runs in my family, unfortunately not always a good thing lol.. I'm having the family thanksgiving at my house this year. I'll be passing around plenty of bottles of homemade spirts. That makes me happy too take something I made and share it with family and friends. Like others have mentioned it's just fun to do and it gives me a reason too hide in the barn for the day!!

[Antler24]

but I wouldn't want to work out what it costs me to make some of the fancier gins and stuff I make now.

What are you doing ? putting Rhinoceros horn in it or something ?

Unicorn piss in the thumper!

[jb-texshine]

Come to think about it,
Bacchus and Dionysus are lonely party gods ,so...

[BugHunter]

but I wouldn't want to work out what it costs me to make some of the fancier gins and stuff I make now.

What are you doing ? putting Rhinoceros horn in it or something ?

Unicorn piss in the thumper!

Was the unicorn standing or sitting?

Could make a diffwerence in the flavor.

Or the color, assuming that unicorns pee rainbows...

Edit:

[NZChris]

Ha ha.

I ain't making Odin's Easy Gin any more. I can and do grow and gather everything I need locally for Absinthe, but some of the gin botanicals I desire I can't grow in NZ and have to import from suppliers who want to gouge you unless you want to buy it by the ton.

[Saltbush Bill]

I ain't making Odin's Easy Gin any more.

suppliers who want to gouge you unless you want to buy it by the ton.

One of the rarest and most expensive botanicals commonly used in gin is Grains of Paradise, I can buy that at $14 per 20 grams .....20 grams is enough to to make about 20l of gin using it at the ratios used in most gin recipes......hardly going to break the bank is it ?
Id be interested to know what it is that your using in your gin that is so expensive and exotic, or is that a secret ?

[NZChris]

I don't post everything I do

[sltm1]

I like to drink (I am my father's son after all), I like to be as self sufficient in all things as is physically possible, I like being able to make a better drop than I can buy, I like the alchemy of the process, I like to drink, I like as someone else mentioned, having a viable way to get by with bartering should the the world fall to shit, I like not getting hangovers on those rare occasions when that would have been the end result, I like doing things most folks can't, I like having a really cool secret heh-heh, the list goes on, but most importantly, if I haven't mentioned it before....I LIKE TO DRINK!!

[ibfestus]

Thanks for all the replies, and yes I don't do what I do for any reason other than I enjoy it. The cost figure includes the cost of the still and all the accoutrements. Copper and stainless is expensive and must be figured into the cost. I like fishing too, and enjoy eating my catch, but if you figure in the cost of the boat, trolling motors and such, that fish costs $40+/lb. but I do it for fun and it pisses me off because I can't share my shine hobby with friends and neighbors.

[zapata]

Maybe you could share secretly? I've casually set jars down on counters at parties before and just walked off. Often to have someone offer me some shortly thereafter

I've also poured rums and oaked whiskies for folks out of a decanter and just had to resist the urge to scream "I MADE THAT, BOW DOWN BEFORE MY AWESOMENESS". Pretty sure the gig is up if you pour someone a white corn whiskey though, even from a decanter they are going to know what it is.

[Worm_Drippinz]

[/quote]
Wait...you sit to pee? Huh,always though you were a man.[/quote]


I hear this "joke" alot.


I had a back surgery, and a lot of times it's hard for me to stand.


The only thing I don't like about it is getting my little head in cold water, and trying to hang on to it too...its awkward.


I doubt anyone who makes that "joke" has ever had that problem.


Do you stand to shit too since sitting is womanly?


Call me queer, fag, gay, goat fucker...i don't give a shit.


But joke about me peeing sitting down when I need to is just a weak jab and a weaker joke.




You know why divorces are so expensive????


BECAUSE THEY ARE WORTH IT!

I find that to be a good telling joke, and I'm not even divorced.

[zapata]

Sailors of all genders sit down to pee, its cool. When your boat is bouncing around at 45* you're an idiot if you try to stand in the head.

And since you brought it up, I actually do shit standing up. Well, squatting actually, definitely not sitting. Sitting down to poop is so unnatural and unhealthy only European royalty would have invented it. Oh, wait, they did. Of course it doesnt make me manly to squat or make others anything else to sit, just pointing out we can all do things our own way.

[jb-texshine]

Actually guys, I meant no offense and was not making a joke. My apologies. On a message board you form images of people and the comment didn't fit with my mental picture of K. Again,my apologies.

[Worm_Drippinz]

I blame myself for getting so butthurt at that "joke".


That's my fault, and the guy that totaled my vehicle while i was sitting at a red light even more. I was only 17



You are right. I don't want to be a tool on my online persona, although I probably already am and dont mean it. I do mean well 99% of the time.

I am very open about my views, all of them. Even though I might look like a douche sometimes. I speak first then question my mouth later.

Good or bad I own myself, and that's all I can do.




I myself apologize if i offended anyone...i just hate that I can't do stupid simple things that I should as a man.

That is my own fault in my personality...now I feel guilty.


Sorry JB. It wasn't aimed at you.


I just hate being less a man in strength, even though i should be 100% at my age.

That is totally my bad on my response....its just a REALLY sore spot for me.


That is my one pet peeve joke.... for that i am sorry.

[Expat]

I ain't making Odin's Easy Gin any more.

suppliers who want to gouge you unless you want to buy it by the ton.

One of the rarest and most expensive botanicals commonly used in gin is Grains of Paradise, I can buy that at $14 per 20 grams .....20 grams is enough to to make about 20l of gin using it at the ratios used in most gin recipes......hardly going to break the bank is it ?
Id be interested to know what it is that your using in your gin that is so expensive and exotic, or is that a secret ?

Ouch!? $14 for 20g is $320 pound!! Locally $21 CAD/pound. I quite enjoy their peppery taste, upped the proportions in my gin bill. But I can't imagine paying that much.


Re the thread question, I do it because it makes me happy. Sourcing, copper crafting and construction, fermentation and distillation all are great distractions which are purposeful and relaxing.

[Antler24]

I myself apologize if i offended anyone...i just hate that I can't do stupid simple things that I should as a man.


I just hate being less a man in strength, even though i should be 100% at my age.

I know how you feel in that regard. I'm 30yrs old with back problems myself and sometimes I feel ashamed for not being able to do certain things.

Some people just don't believe you, give you that "lazy fucker" look sometimes. Like yeah I can put that 110lb sack on my shoulder and climb 14ft up that ladder too, but I'll spend the next 3 days in bed, so no, I won't do it.

[NZChris]

I ain't making Odin's Easy Gin any more.

suppliers who want to gouge you unless you want to buy it by the ton.

One of the rarest and most expensive botanicals commonly used in gin is Grains of Paradise, I can buy that at $14 per 20 grams .....20 grams is enough to to make about 20l of gin using it at the ratios used in most gin recipes......hardly going to break the bank is it ?
Id be interested to know what it is that your using in your gin that is so expensive and exotic, or is that a secret ?

Ouch!? $14 for 20g is $320 pound!! Locally $21 CAD/pound. I quite enjoy their peppery taste, upped the proportions in my gin bill. But I can't imagine paying that much.


Re the thread question, I do it because it makes me happy. Sourcing, copper crafting and construction, fermentation and distillation all are great distractions which are purposeful and relaxing.

I just snapped up some saffron at $3700/lb. Needless to say, I didn't buy a pound My last year's crop was a complete failure, so I was very pleased to find some at a market. I've never tried it in gin, but I have made very nice cheese using it. I'm planning on using this lot for gin experiments.

[Saltbush Bill]

Ouch!? $14 for 20g is $320 pound!! Locally $21 CAD/pound. I quite enjoy their peppery taste, upped the proportions in my gin bill. But I can't imagine paying that much.

You seem to be missing the point completely ..........Im not buying a pound of the stuff ..Im buying $14 Au worth,,,,,that in turn is enough to make 20L of gin...that's a fair bit of gin in my books. Enough to keep me happy for a year.

[Kareltje]

Actually guys, I meant no offense and was not making a joke. My apologies. On a message board you form images of people and the comment didn't fit with my mental picture of K. Again,my apologies.

It seems others took offense, I did not! Not in the least!

[Expat]

Saltbush, no I think you misunderstood. I wasn't suggesting that you should purchase a pound; the comparison was to highlight the extreme price. Market will price as high as people will bare, but wow. Glad you're enjoying it.

[jb-texshine]

I myself apologize if i offended anyone...i just hate that I can't do stupid simple things that I should as a man.


I just hate being less a man in strength, even though i should be 100% at my age.

I know how you feel in that regard. I'm 30yrs old with back problems myself and sometimes I feel ashamed for not being able to do certain things.

Some people just don't believe you, give you that "lazy fucker" look sometimes. Like yeah I can put that 110lb sack on my shoulder and climb 14ft up that ladder too, but I'll spend the next 3 days in bed, so no, I won't do it.

I feel you,turned 37 on the 6th and have had two back surgeries,a lambidectomy and a discectomy, and now have two new herniated discs.
Such^ is why my kids are my still hands.
Truly, no offense was intended.
Stay healthy guys.
Jbt

[ibfestus]

Wow!!!! My simple question "why do we make alcohol," is twisted into "Do you sit when you pee?'

In 1933, my two great uncles went to their father at the Sand Gap, Arkansas General Store and asked him to loan them $50 so they could go into the moonshine business.

He asked them, "Do you think you could make a profit?"

They answered, "Yes Sir... if we could be your supplier."

Thirty years later, my first job at 16 years of age was carrying 50 lb. bags of sugar through the woods at night.

And, yes they knew what a sugar wash was back then.

The Hankins General Store building is still there in Sand Gap (AKA Pelsor) Arkansas on US Hwy. 25. It has changed hands numerous times but the holes are still in the floor... They were drilled from under the store in order to steal sugar from the barrels stored in the back room...

[zapata]

That is a cool story. I recently shared in the stillin family tree thread that my gramps was a safe sugar hookup for shiners in his area via the general store he worked at. Sugar itself has an interesting history from colonialism and slavery in the islands through prohibition and modern obesity. Everybody had or could get corn!