Molasses Question?

[Nies]

So today I was talking to our local feed store guy, trying to source some material for my rum making ventures in the future. The question is this, the molasses he carries is made from beat sugar, will this make a good rum? I could get it in both dried and liquid form. I am just curious if it makes a difference. It does seem to smell and taste like molasses from cane sugar, but has a slight red tint to it. Thanks for the opinions and advice in advance. S.

[scarecrow]

the molasses he carries is made from beat sugar, will this make a good rum?

Gofer it. Post back some results. Sucrose should be similar to cane sugar, only about half strength.

but has a slight red tint to it

Possibly from the sugar beets...dya think?

You could call it "Nies yum for the tum red rum" ....ummmmm......

scarecrow

[kiwistiller]

I was under the impression that it didn't work, but can't provide a link after a brief search, so yeah go for it and tell us about your adventures

[HookLine]

Yes, I also vaguely recall reading somewhere that beet molasses was not so suitable for rum.

[Dnderhead]

this mite have something to do with it.

The nonsugar content includes many salts, such as calcium, potassium, oxalate, and chloride. These are either as a result of concentration from the original plant material or as a result of chemicals used in the processing. As such, it is unpalatable, and is mainly used as an additive to animal feed (called "molassed sugar beet feed") or as a fermentation feedstock.

[blanikdog]

Yes, I also vaguely recall reading somewhere that beet molasses was not so suitable for rum.

Me too, Hook.

blanik

[Nies]

I see. Hmmm.... I must push harder for molasses made from cane sugar. I am certain the feed guy could get it, it just sounded like a lot of work. Comes from a different source, takes longer to get and costs more. So, I will see how much more. A 50lb. bag of the beet molasses was seven dollars. I think he said I could get the cane molasses for $128.00 for a fifty five gallon drum. I just don't quit see a need for that much molasses at one time. What ever it takes, sourcing good ingredients is key to good product. Thanks gents. S.

[HookLine]

What ever it takes, sourcing good ingredients is key to good product.

Your final product can be only as good as the basic ingredients. Can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

[Barney Fife]

I've had a bad experience with feed molasses; there was no label, so I don't know what it is, exactly, but it would barely ferment, had little sugar, and the rum doesn't taste like I want rum to taste at all. It'll be "okay", but is different. The pail of molasses smells grassy, like hash oil, and the ferments were oily, too. For what is cost me, it wasn't worth it at all. Lesson? Make sure the feed molasses tastes good(dip a finger and taste it), and make sure it has a label so you know what it is and what's in it. I'm sticking with fancy molasses; I can get it from restaurant/catering supply places at nearly the same cost as the feed molasses.

And stay away from the dry molasses; I think it's simply some molasses mixed with grain, no?

[rad14701]

Can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

Hey, that's my line... I say that all the time...

[Nies]

So some interesting stuff. Went to talk to my feed store man and all of the molasses comes labeled. He says by FDA rules that he has to either provide a label with the ingredients and their percentages or the feed company has to. Specifically for the molasses though, it use to be that they could mix their own stuff into it, at the store, for there own blends, but with the prevalence of CWD in the deer population they(FDA) are worried about the cattle populations being contaminated and coming down with mad cow. As a result they have been uping their efforts to ensure that all the rules are followed regarding feed. It almost sounds like the dam cows food supply is better regulated than our own. Anywho's the liquid molasses they sell to the cattle farmers, is straight black strap. No additives, or preservatives. He says it doesn't need any. He did say that it is sweeter some years than in others. He also said that he doesn't sell a whole lot of it out of the store, it usually get shipped straight to the farmer. He did say that he would package it into smaller five gallon quantities though. You all were correct about the beat molasses, it does contain other minerals that are added, because beat molasses does not have all of the extra goodies that cane molasses comes with naturally. Like I said interesting stuff. I will promise to taste the goods though before buying just to make sure it is of good quality.

[LWTCS]

I've been getting panela (condenced cane juice) from the latin markets @ $1.49 to $1.40 per pound. And very happy with the results.

Molassas is way spendy in my area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panela" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Smells and acts jes like molassas when liquefying.

[WalkingWolf]

The pail of molasses smells grassy, like hash oil

Interesting BF. Care to elaborate??

WW

[Barney Fife]

I take the 5th...

[WalkingWolf]

Let me take a stab at it.

It smells distinctly close to something you read about years ago that described, in great detail, the "grassy" smell so familiarly associated with hash oil.

I respect your right to plead the 5th.

WW

[HookLine]

Please read Rule 6, gentlemen.

[WalkingWolf]

My bad Hook. Didn't mean no body no trouble. Ribbing BF a lil. That talk aint got no place here.

Sorry BF

WW

[scarecrow]

I thought they used to make Vodka out of beet molasses. But then again, it was over in Europe somewhere. Maybe it was the ingredient for some of that illegal Russian vodka that gave you a belly ache or worse.

I'm wondering if that grassy smell could be from the beet stalks and leaves. If it's for cattle feed, they may be bulking up the volume by using everything.

Before I bought my blackstrap, they gave me a MSDS on it. My stuff is very high in calcium and potassium.

scarecrow

[Nies]

Well, Scarecrow. It sound like that is exactly what they do. Bulk it up with stuff, that is. I have Dick down at our local feed store calling the manufacture to see if he can get it with out all the additives. He thinks that we should be able to get it unadulterated. The cane molasses is on the way though. I got to bring home a sample yesterday. It tasted so good that I had some on my pancakes this morning. I bought 10 gallons for twenty six U.S. dollars. Not to shabby. He said that I could taste test that as well before accepting delivery. I love living in a smaller town.

Off topic: I am a big deer hunter, so I buy a lot of sheep mineral, it makes my molasses purchase rather inconspicuous. If I wasn't fermenting it, I would pour it onto the mineral to attract deer to it.

On topic: Any how, if I can get clean beat molasses, I will do some extensive experimenting.

[HookLine]

Any how, if I can get clean beat molasses, I will do some extensive experimenting.

Please do.

[HookLine]

According to Arroyo (via Murtagh*), beet molasses is not as good as cane molasses for making rum, and that "blackstrap molasses with low viscosity, high total sugars, nitrogen, phosphorous and a low ash and gum content" gave the desired smell and taste.

*page 244, Feedstocks, fermentation and distillation for production of heavy and light rums. JE Murtagh, Chapter 16, The Alcohol Textbook. An online read only copy can be found here, (scroll down).

[Barney Fife]

I ran across a great article on molasses this weekend; didn't save the link, though I should have. It was a fuel alcohol site someplace that I'd never run across before. Anyhow, it stated that sugar beet molasses is so low in sugar and so high in salts and magnesium and other minerals that it's not a fermentable source of sugars and is only usable as a feed flavor enhancer(in fact many horses turn their head to it) and as a plant fertilizer. Their descriptions fit my feed molasses.

Anyone wanna buy 3+ gallons of fertilizer? <lol>