Cigar Asylum Cigar Forum - Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

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Starscream

01-25-2009 06:31 PM

Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Anybody make their own homemade alcohol (legaly)? Interested in some info on this.

Ace$nyper

01-25-2009 06:33 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

I've done wine and beer kits, that's about all.

I've love to learn to make my own the right way.

The Mr. Beer home brew kit is great and can be re used.

dunng

01-25-2009 06:35 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

I'd love to make my own Whiskey... :dr :dr

ChicagoWhiteSox

01-25-2009 06:40 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

My grandpa made wine in his basement. He was pretty big into it. Had a ton of bottles. I never got the chance to have any. My uncle bought the house from him and my grandma, and sold/drank it all.

md4958

01-25-2009 06:42 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Ive made wine several times. The key (and I understand the same holds true for beer) is cleanliness.

Genetic Defect

01-25-2009 06:51 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

this wont help but my uncle makes the best wine I've tasted :)

md4958

01-25-2009 06:52 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Vito (Post 190902)

this wont help but my uncle makes the best wine I've tasted :)

youre right, that doesnt help

Genetic Defect

01-25-2009 06:54 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by md4958 (Post 190904)

youre right, that doesnt help

like you really helped :tg

Drat	01-25-2009 07:43 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

I brew my own beer and make my own wine. The distillation of liquor is illegal in the U.S.

But if it weren't, I'd be freeze distilling whiskey and applejack in my basement too ;)

Mark C

01-25-2009 07:54 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

I've made wine for a few years, getting ready to try beer. ^^ Drat is right, distillation is illegal, so don't tell anyone about that moonshine I made in my dorm room closet a few years back...

Genetic Defect

01-25-2009 08:02 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by andysutherland (Post 190860)

Anybody make their own homemade alcohol (legaly)? Interested in some info on this.

on a side note, the English major spelled this wrong

ucla695

01-25-2009 08:05 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

I've never made anything at home, but years ago, I brewed beer a a brew place. We made some great batches of stout and ale.

Starscream

01-25-2009 09:06 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Vito (Post 190902)

this wont help but my uncle makes the best wine I've tasted :)

Not helpful, but entertaining.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Vito (Post 191079)

on a side note, the English major spelled this wrong

:fu

What's the alcohol content on homemade wine? I hear its more potent than store bought.

:)

Genetic Defect

01-25-2009 09:08 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by andysutherland (Post 191227)

Not helpful, but entertaining.

:fu

What's the alcohol content on homemade wine. I hear its more potent than store bought.

depends on the sugar and yeast, could be 14%

Starscream

01-25-2009 09:09 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Vito (Post 191229)

depends on the sugar and yeast, could be 14%

Higher alcohol content as a result of more yeast or more sugar? Or more of both?

Starscream

01-25-2009 09:11 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Been looking at trying this too:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4470898_make...paign=yssp_art

Peach brandy looks interesting.

Genetic Defect

01-25-2009 09:13 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by andysutherland (Post 191237)

Higher alcohol content as a result of more yeast or more sugar? Or more of both?

more sugar and a strong yeast. lalvin K1V-1116 is an example of a strong yeast that should yield a higher ac

bigswol2

01-25-2009 09:39 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

I just made my first batch of homemade wine. I need to degass again :(

Mark C

01-26-2009 05:33 AM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by andysutherland (Post 191237)

Higher alcohol content as a result of more yeast or more sugar? Or more of both?

You need the right type of yeast, not a larger quantity. Aclohol is toxic to yeast, but some strains are more tolerant than others. I think the range is about 12-17% alcohol, with most around 15% max. I know there's one yeast developed for spirits production that can go up to ~20% alcohol.

But to get your alcohol that high you need enough sugar. Most grape juice will not reach those levels unless you add sugar, but that's generally not a good idea 'cause it'll throw off the balance in your wine.

If you're making grape wine, the alcohol content will likely be entirely dependent on the amount of sugar in the grape juice, which is almost entirely dependent on vineyard management and growing conditions. Consequently it'll be very similar to commercial wines from the same region and year (not counting fancy commercial winemaking techniques like reverse osmosis).

Starscream

01-26-2009 08:25 AM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark C (Post 191062)

I've made wine for a few years, getting ready to try beer. ^^ Drat is right, distillation is illegal, so don't tell anyone about that moonshine I made in my dorm room closet a few years back...

Sshh!

bigswol2

01-30-2009 01:19 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

I sampled my blackbery cabernet and it's great!!!

kayaker

02-04-2009 02:34 AM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunng (Post 190866)

I'd love to make my own Whiskey... :dr :dr

This site offers a single malt maturing kit, complete with a 750ml bottle of 3 year old whisky and a 1 liter barrel, or you can buy larger barrels, up to 20 liters to further age any whisky that you buy.

I have some friends that have tried the kit and it turned out pretty good. They seasoned the barrel with port, then aged the whisky. It happens very fast because of the larger surface area to volume ratio.

I'm going to have to try this out sometime.:al

Starscream

02-25-2009 07:19 AM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Made my first gallon on Tuesday. Now I just have to wait two weeks and then transfer to a new container.

Ken	02-25-2009 07:36 AM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

I bought my mother and her husband wine supplies Christmas '07 to make their own and they have been at it since. They actually took a respectable place in the homemade wine contest at the Ky fair last year.

Starscream

02-25-2009 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken (Post 255534)

I'm SURE mine will never win a prize. :)
Posted via Mobile Device

Mark C

02-25-2009 07:29 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by andysutherland (Post 255501)

Made my first gallon on Tuesday. Now I just have to wait two weeks and then transfer to a new container.

So what'd you make?

Starscream

02-25-2009 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark C (Post 257035)

So what'd you make?

Sh!tty recipe from about.com.
Posted via Mobile Device

BC-Axeman

03-02-2009 04:34 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

I am not a BATF agent but I believe distillation for private use is legal. Distillation for sale without being taxed and permitted is illegal.
I have not wiki-ed this yet to be absolutely certain. :D

Lumpold

03-07-2009 09:22 AM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman (Post 266752)

I am not a BATF agent but I believe distillation for private use is legal. Distillation for sale without being taxed and permitted is illegal.
I have not wiki-ed this yet to be absolutely certain. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Although home distillation of ethanol for commercial purposes is still illegal in the United States, legislation was introduced, but failed to pass[30] in November 2001 to legalize home distillation in much the same way as home brewing of wine and beer were legalized in 1978.

Not exceedingly clear, but looks like it's illegal....

perogee

03-07-2009 04:50 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayaker (Post 213767)

This site offers a single malt maturing kit, complete with a 750ml bottle of 3 year old whisky and a 1 liter barrel, or you can buy larger barrels, up to 20 liters to further age any whisky that you buy.

First, I am not sure I needed to know about this site :D
Secondly, I do not see any mention of alcohol included in the kit, was it a time limited special?

beamish

03-07-2009 06:58 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

I made wine several times,you can do this buying the juice already filtered some yeast a 20 gallon carbouy and your in business,but the price of making it has risin so its the same price to buy bottles...

Lumpold

03-07-2009 07:06 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

for all you Americans... http://pearsonswine.com/index.php?na...ticle&sid=1214 barrel, kit and spirit to age are available from this site!

Mark C

03-07-2009 08:14 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman (Post 266752)

I am not a BATF agent but I believe distillation for private use is legal. Distillation for sale without being taxed and permitted is illegal.
I have not wiki-ed this yet to be absolutely certain. :D

Definitely 100% illegal. Trust me, I've looked into this at length. And I've been doing my part to educate people ever since. You'd be surprised how many people think moonshine is fine and dandy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumpold (Post 276275)

for all you Americans... http://pearsonswine.com/index.php?na...ticle&sid=1214 barrel, kit and spirit to age are available from this site!

I haven't tried Wasmund's stuff, but I've heard a bit about it. A few years ago I was passing though Fredericksburg and stopped at 'Copper Fox' distillery. From what I gather, it seems like Wasmund used to have something to do with that distillery, there was an internal fight, and Wasmund and that distillery parted ways. The 'Copper Fox' I have in my bar is now known as 'Kopper Kettle', and Wasmund seemingly owns the Copper Fox name, though he doesn't use it. I've been meaning to visit his place, but haven't had the time yet.

BPCR	03-07-2009 09:45 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Hello all i have been making wine and beer for a few years now... If you can boil water you can make beer and wine. Its all in the details ... i would suggest you find a local home brew store and ask how to get set up. Most of them have classes and sutch for free. Most even let you try a few then get the stuff to make your own... If anyone wants to try some of mine they are welcome to come on out ... bring your pipe or cigar of choice drinks are on me. :tu

beamish

03-08-2009 08:54 AM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman (Post 266752)

I am not a BATF agent but I believe distillation for private use is legal. Distillation for sale without being taxed and permitted is illegal.
I have not wiki-ed this yet to be absolutely certain. :D

I think you can make up to 50 gallons for private consumption,the laws date back to prohibition times ,the alcohol content is the key,that is why moonshine is illegal ..

BC-Axeman

03-08-2009 08:58 AM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark C (Post 276351)

Definitely 100% illegal. Trust me, I've looked into this at length. And I've been doing my part to educate people ever since. You'd be surprised how many people think moonshine is fine and dandy.

I had a friend who's family made their own wine and brandy. I had asked the old man if it was legal and he had told me "as long as your not selling it". I think he must have not known or was giving me a line because even 28 years ago it was illegal. Kind of stupid that you can not make your own perfectly legal natural product.

Lumpold

03-08-2009 11:40 AM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamish (Post 276895)

I think you can make up to 50 gallons for private consumption,the laws date back to prohibition times ,the alcohol content is the key,that is why moonshine is illegal ..

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATF Website FAQ

G1: Can I produce beer, wine or spirits for my personal or family use without paying Federal excise tax and filing Federal paperwork?

Beer
Production.
Removal of beer.

Wine
Wine for personal or family use.

Spirits
You cannot produce spirits for beverage purposes without paying taxes and without prior approval of paperwork to operate a distilled spirits plant. [See 26 U.S.C. 5601 & 5602 for some of the criminal penalties.] There are numerous requirements that must be met that make it impractical to produce spirits for personal or beverage use. Some of these requirements are paying special tax, filing an extensive application, filing a bond, providing adequate equipment to measure spirits, providing suitable tanks and pipelines, providing a separate building (other than a dwelling) and maintaining detailed records, and filing reports. All of these requirements are listed in 27 CFR Part 19.

Spirits may be produced for nonbeverage purposes for fuel use only without payment of tax, but you also must file an application, receive ATF's approval, and follow requirements, such as construction, use, records and reports.

Nope, spirits done be illegal.

BC-Axeman

03-10-2009 04:09 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Thanks to this thread getting me curious, I now know more about stills and distilling than I needed to know. The internet can be dangerous.
Say, for instance, you searched for "reflux still" ...

Starscream

03-10-2009 04:25 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman (Post 281028)

Thanks to this thread getting me curious, I now know more about stills and distilling than I needed to know. The internet can be dangerous.
Say, for instance, you searched for "reflux still" ...

That's what got me interested.

This video contributed too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inbmJy0xJgk

Mark C

03-11-2009 09:56 AM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC-Axeman (Post 281028)

Thanks to this thread getting me curious, I now know more about stills and distilling than I needed to know. The internet can be dangerous.
Say, for instance, you searched for "reflux still" ...

That's nothin', I spent the better part of a semester learning about distillation. I've had the moonshine bug ever since. Still have my textbooks :)

Rumor has it someone tried to use the school's lab-scale still (~15 ft glass column still) for 'shine once. Knowing what chemicals we put through that thing, I can't imagine anyone with a good head on their shoulders would try that.

BC-Axeman

03-13-2009 06:36 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

Very informative site is homedistiller.org.

tooomanycolors

04-18-2009 11:48 AM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

I make meads(honey wines), actually need to bottle one and transfer 2

jam	04-28-2009 07:26 PM

Re: Homemade Wine, Brandy, Whiskey

I make 34 gallons of red every october i enjoy it, but i want to learn how t make Beer

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