Newbie in Denmark

[PookyNugs]

Hi and glad to be here, I honestly had no idea about this massive forum until 4 days ago!
I'm an immigrant to Denmark for 5 years now, and recently moved to farm country. Here in the sticks things are similar to every other country I've lived in or visited - farm people make spirits from what they grow. Aannd...I ended up with about 50 kilos of apples and 40 kilos of plums off the trees around the yard. Now that I've made and enjoyed craploads of ciders and wines, spirits have been calling me!
There's a really helpful beer shop not too far from me, and of course they also have distilling equipment. Having spent much of my life in California, I'm pretty good at wine making, did some beer, but never spirits, cuz you know, USA laws and such. Yes, things stay quiet here also, but anyone away from the capital might make stuff, since it's been traditional here forever. Most of the farmers either make brandy, or did in the past when this was still a poor farming country, not the tech powerhouse it is today. So yeah, lots of knowledge and history here if you look and ask.
Having no idea what the hell I'm doing, and not sure of the interest, after doing some basic reading and videos, I spent almost 0 money and got one of the temperature-adjustable air stills from Vevor. Does alcohol come out of it? Why yes, it does! Does it suck? Hmmm... I've actually made a few batches that were useable, and that was enough to make me want to go further, so I guess that silly coffee pot did the job!
I'm now in possession of an Alcoengine Reflux Column and the 35 liter water pot it sits on. I haven't used it yet, but I actually did assemble everything and run water through the condenser part - whoot! Oh, and I got this setup because I fell for the advertising, simple and easy....uh huh. Well, since I now have it, might as well try to get something decent out of it...

I was given about 30 liters of fruit wine, and I can literally have as much as I want for distilling in the future for practice and learning. My goal is to come up with two things - first, a tasty summer beverage that uses Danish fruit juices, wines and spirits, all from these local farms. Kinda like a Viking sangria?
Second thing would be something to enjoy during these loonngg dull winters. At x-mas they have glogg, you know the spiced wine that everybody makes in all the EU countries around Christmas time. Again, fruit wine fortified with spirits and holiday-ish spices to get all cozy and happy. That whole 'julehygge' thing at the Christmas markets.

So yeah, I can be long winded. But that's the short story of why I'm here, trying to make stuff for these fantastic country folk, and simultaneously hoping not to piss my wife off too much by spending money I don't have! Thanks in advance for all your future help, I know I'm gonna need it.

[BlackStrap]

Welcome PookyNugs

This group will sure be full of answers to your questions. Sounds like you have some of variety to work with.
Glad to have you aboard with us.

Be safe and have fun
BlackStrap

[PookyNugs]

Yeah, variety is right. About 1,000 liters of variety from what I've been told. All just sitting there, waiting...

[MooseMan]

Great intro Pooky, and it seems you have plenty to go at.

I'd suggest you firstly work your way through the reading at the bottom of this page, it will enlighten you and educate you.

Enjoy the forum.

Moose

[PookyNugs]

Lol my eyes are already bleeding...

[NZChris]

Welcome to the forum.

Be aware that some winemakers use SO2 for sterilization and it is a difficult chemical to remove when making distilled products. I have read methods of dealing with it on the forum, but have never tried any of them myself, dealing with it by not accepting the challenge.

Hopefully, some of the wines you are being offered don't have SO2. If so, make them your first choice.

[PookyNugs]

Hi and thanks for the tip! It turns out 100% of this wine is organic, and even natural fermented. None of it has any additives, no commercial yeast, no extra sugar, no sulfites, nothing. Just sitting there...

[Dutch41]

PN, welcome to the club. Have fun and don't be afraid to ask any questions...

[SW_Shiner]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you've got quite a nice array of stuff available to help you get a great start.

[sadie33]

Hello and welcome!! Wow, that all sounds awesome!! Enjoy the ride

[PalCabral]

Velkommen, Pooky!

Norwegian member here, living in Sweden, with you all Scandinavian countries are present. The Vevor is great for macerated alcohols, like Gin and Aquavit, but I think you will have more fun with the 35 liter. /Pal

[ARCMEMBER]

Velkommen, Pooky!

Norwegian member here, living in Sweden, with you all Scandinavian countries are present. The Vevor is great for macerated alcohols, like Gin and Aquavit, but I think you will have more fun with the 35 liter. /Pal

Hallå grabbar! Nu är alla grannländerna samlade.

[PalCabral]

Velkommen, Pooky!

Norwegian member here, living in Sweden, with you all Scandinavian countries are present. The Vevor is great for macerated alcohols, like Gin and Aquavit, but I think you will have more fun with the 35 liter. /Pal

Hallå grabbar! Nu är alla grannländerna samlade.

We should have a Finnish and an Icelandic member too. Then we'd conquor the world (again).

Var håller du hus, ARCMEMBER?

[Rusty Ole Bucket]

Welcome to HD! Dive in and have fun.

Rusty