New Zealanders -

[SL1MZ]

There seems to be a pretty sizeable kiwi contingent lurking around these parts,
Just curious if there's been a rolecall of active folks around here, and If there is any interest in a catch up an discussion about the fine arts.

Also interested where the best buying may be..

From Grains to Hops, Corn to yeast strains.
Are people buying their ingredients local or online?
How about Barrels? / anyone import their own or are there coopers locally?

[frozenthunderbolt]

I'm a Kiwi - Brewcraft in Mt Eden (auk area) is pretty good for many things. Other brew shops not nearly so good (As far as distilling goes)
The distillers Co-op online is also rather good for some bits and bobs - very helpful chaps

[jase1977]

I find Hauraki has got a really good web site, next day drop offs etc

[Kiwikeg]

Yep there's a few kiwis lurking around these parts.
There's a few of us working on a get together/distilling competion/ distillery tour/show ya still day or somthing in Auckland.
I will post details on HD if the talk comes to anything. Or let me know if you have any other ideas.

Brewers coop is great and got some nice yeasts and malts.

Adrian at BrewWest in Henderson is a top bloke and has a huge range of malted grains he can mill while you wait.

[SL1MZ]

Im Waaay Down in Wellington, But hell. Worth a trip.

And happy to throw a few ideas about.

What about Copper? Has anyone got a friendly plumber?

[1bottler]

I'm donating for the cost of freight, unused Oregon oak staves,90 x 5 x 1 cm, dried for 3 years and toasted, used for wine instead of barrels

[jase1977]

Here's a idea for the kiwis.... Manuka whisky. Age some spirit in manaka wood chips for a month and see how it comes out.

[Kiwikeg]

Here's a idea for the kiwis.... Manuka whisky. Age some spirit in manaka wood chips for a month and see how it comes out.

There a thread somewhere about nz native timbers for oaking.
I don't think teatree made the cut some liked it I wasn't 100% sure if I liked it.
Totara did.
Kauri is frikken awful, my mate made a very nice kauri 20l or so barrel. Bad bad bad.
Fejoa wood okay
Kawakawa and horopito are in some Comercial spirits.
Pohutukawa is poisonous.
Thread is http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... lit=+kauri

[frozenthunderbolt]

Here's a idea for the kiwis.... Manuka whisky. Age some spirit in manaka wood chips for a month and see how it comes out.

There a thread somewhere about nz native timbers for oaking.
I don't think teatree made the cut some liked it I wasn't 100% sure if I liked it.
Totara did.
Kauri is frikken awful, my mate made a very nice kauri 20l or so barrel. Bad bad bad.
Fejoa wood okay
Kawakawa and horopito are in some Comercial spirits.
Pohutukawa is poisonous.
Thread is http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... lit=+kauri

Cheers KK, I gave manuka a go when i was first starting out and thought it a bit average, I'd be willing to give it another go now that i know that much more and my product is that much better though!

[NZChris]

Greetings from Tauranga.

[jase1977]

I put some manaka honey into a bottle of rum (very nice)

[Kiwikeg]

Or theres this little brew the "Fejoia thunderbolt" http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 11&t=39670

[googe]

Every time the missus using.manuka honey a gag . Our bloody cats called manuka manuka essential oil on the other hand is special

[jase1977]

I make a tidy living cutting the stuff down for firewood, some people see it as a wonder plant, but as far as I'm concerned its a weed. I have a corn wash just about ready, so I'll do a flagon of manaka whisky.

[frozenthunderbolt]

Or theres this little brew the "Fejoia thunderbolt" http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 11&t=39670

Nice name for it! - thanks Kiwi

[bastardsquad]

Auckland distiller signing in. Would be keen on a meet up and sampling other's wares, swap still building ideas and ingredients sourcing info. Making Rum, UJSSM and neutral for a year or so,so far

[Whitefob]

Hi, I've just signed up and would be keen to meet some experienced distillers and see how a home made still looks and runs.
I live in Pukekohe, Auckland. I'm relatively new to distilling and have done about five runs over the past 4 years. I see from reading these posts I have a lot to learn.
I'm actually more into my wine making and make some good feijoa and plum wines.

[jase1977]

UI hope every one is OK after the storms

[NZChris]

Been down south for a look. A lot of big trees down. Irrigators bowled over if they were parked side on to the wind. It could have happened at a worse time of year, so they got off lightly.

Do any of you know where to find sloes/blackthorn plants or fruit? I fancy adding sloe gin to my cellar.

[frozenthunderbolt]

Do any of you know where to find sloes/blackthorn plants or fruit? I fancy adding sloe gin to my cellar.

Doubt you'll find sloes in NZ, but your can get Damson Plumbs all over if you ask around - they are very similar in look and flavour, just a little larger and the plants are not prickly.

If you do get up this way (NW auck) at any point (hard for you i know Chris) I have bushes you can dig up suckers from that will fruit true to form.

[NZChris]

I've tasted Damsons on the banks of the Medway. Wouldn't say they were particularly astringent, which is the description I have for sloes.

Found a bundle of gallon glass carboys to use for mead when I get a chance. The still is keeping me pretty busy at the moment. Two lots of whiskey came ready while I was away and my visitors have been attacking my gin collection, which will need replenishing.

[frozenthunderbolt]

I've tasted Damsons on the banks of the Medway. Wouldn't say they were particularly astringent, which is the description I have for sloes.

My mum has had both, she says that the Damson gin is 95% as good as sloes and with an almost identical taste.
I would suggest steeping them in the booze first and then adding sugar to taste (or doing them like strawberry panty dropper) as the recipes that say to add sugar to the jar while your sloes/damsons are steeping tend to come out too sweet to my taste.

True damsons are just edible when fully ripe - they are somewhat astringent and very sour; they make the best jam of any plum, and a brilliant wine.

[bastardsquad]

Do any of you know where to find sloes/blackthorn plants or fruit? I fancy adding sloe gin to my cellar.

Doubt you'll find sloes in NZ, but your can get Damson Plumbs all over if you ask around - they are very similar in look and flavour, just a little larger and the plants are not prickly.

If you do get up this way (NW auck) at any point (hard for you i know Chris) I have bushes you can dig up suckers from that will fruit true to form.

I'm in Muriwai...small world : )

[NZChris]

Aha, it seems like the person who introduced me to 'damsons' didn't know what they were talking about.

I take it they fruit alright on their own rootstock, but the suckers might be a nuisance?

[frozenthunderbolt]

I take it they fruit alright on their own rootstock, but the suckers might be a nuisance?

Yep - they fruit true - mums tree is a 'name' variety and are slightly larger. Mine are rootstock/suckers and slightly smaller - both taste very similar and make a stellar drop!

[frozenthunderbolt]

I'm in Muriwai...small world : )

Helensville

[bastardsquad]

NZChris - did you sample the rum I sent you? Me and mine have been guzzling it, the small bottling run won't go far at this rate. The Oregon oak 'planks' were split with a hatchet into thirds, 2 as is and 2 charred per 5L carboy of UJSSM. Coloured up quick, smells delish...time will tell ; ) SWMBO went mad when I charred them on the gas stove inside at at ten at night after a few rums lololol....

[NZChris]

That wasn't me, bastardsquad

[feijoa]

Wellsford

[1bottler]

that was me chris nz. 1bottler. passed it onto a work colleague who drinks rum. will know on monday when he reports in