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5/17/2010 -- what is your phone number?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We can be reached at (425) 355-8865
Our toll free order is (800) 850-2739
9/8/2009 -- how can i flavor moonshine after it has been distilled?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We sell an entire line of essences for flavoring alcohol. These essences turn plain alcohol into whiskeys, rums, gin, brandy's etc etc. It works for commercial alcohol (legal) as well as moonshine (illegal in the U.S.). How you choose to use these essences is not our concern.
Here is a link to that category:
http://store.homebrewheaven.com . . .
4/28/2009 -- Alcotec 48 Hour Turbo Yeast + 8kg of grain white sugar (store bought) + 21L of tap water, fermented for 5 days (or until fermentation is done). If I were to, for sake of argument, a mental exercise mind you, add your Prestige Rum Spice Essence to this mix would it taste any good? Would this exercise, hypothetically, be worth doing in such . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Why deal with the hypothetical? Nothing you have told me is illegal, since distilling was not mentioned. Fermenting is legal by itself. Only the concentration of alcohol by distilling would be illegal if you are using it as a beverage. At least in the U.S.
Now, the part about "would it taste good". You can expect somewhere between 14% and . . .
5/10/2008 -- I am starting down the path of distilling fuel, and I need a good yeast and some information to use it. I am attempting to use byproduct glycerin from biodisiesel production. I will be making approximately 50 gal batches, water and glycerin. I will use a 60 gallon plastic barrel to ferment. So am I correct to assume I can use 1 packet of Alcotec . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We have absolutely ZERO experiece in the fermentation of glycerin, sorry. Didn't know it was possible, actually...
How well turbo yeast will work in glycerin, and how much head space is required would be entirely guesswork.
I will say, however, that usually the production of ethanol (for fuel) is a matter of economics. Turbo yeasts . . .
4/6/2008 -- How many sachets come in one alcotech 48 hr. turbo yeast package?
Thanks.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: One.
1/26/2008 -- I live about an hour (if traffic is good) from the address on your website. Do you have an actual store or is everything here based solely online?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we have an actual brick-and-mortar store in Everett, WA. People actually walk in and buy stuff!
Our address is:
Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204
Here is a video of our shop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI
Heck, you can actually call us on the phone, too! It's 425-355-8865. A person will . . .
8/13/2007 -- I'm really new at this so be gentle.
Is there a way to know how much yeast to add if I am using fruit instead of sugar?
It may be Sugar Cane or Pineapple or both.
Is there a "Better" yeast for this process?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Gentle? We may bark a bit, but we seldom bite...
One of the problems we have with answering questions is that customers assume that we know all about what they are making. And how they are making it. We don't. Our customers make beer, wine, mead, distilled spirits, liquers and lots of other interesting stuff. It's hard to help when you . . .
8/1/2007 -- Does the alcoholtech yeast 48 contain more or less after taste if used by the 48 hour method or the 5 day method? Thanks in advance for your response. Tom.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Haven't done a comparison test, actually. Sorry.
7/9/2007 -- Have you heard of someone using turbo yeasts for home-brew beer? I was wondering if thats advisable, if one didnt intend to distill such a mash, just ferment it. Would there be any byproducts that might effect taste?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It's a bad idea. The turbo yeasts are typically loaded with nutrients for fermenting sugar washes. Beer has plenty of nutrients already, so you would be adding in mor than is necessary. Could very well lead to off-flavors. Also expense.
5/30/2007 -- How do you check the proof of the distilled finished product so that you know it is safe to drink?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The alcohol content (proof) of distilled spirits can be checked with an Alcoholometer.
Please note, however, that this is not the same as "safe to drink". Many things have ZERO alcohol and are perfectly safe, like water. Many things contain alcohol, but that doesn't mean they are safe.
1/29/2007 -- Will this yeast work to ferment honey?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Certainly. We also have mead yeasts available that would like taste better, however.
I should also point out that since honey is a very complex sugar, it will take longer to ferment than other sugars. In other words, don't expect a 48 hour fermentation.
7/28/2006 -- Does your activated stone carbon need to be washed with water before using it to filter alcohol? If so, what is the procedure?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It is more effective if you do. A good way is to put it into a tube with something like a coffee filter on the end to hold the carbon. A rubber band will do to hold it in place. Start pouring a little water into the tube. It will bubble at first, and then be absorbed by the carbon. Keep doing this until water trickles out the end of the tube. . . .
7/25/2006 -- I just fermented a 5 gallon batch with the Alcotec 48-Hour Turbo Yeast, the first 3 - 4 days it fermented fine, the fermentation looks to be finished, but the liquid is a white milky color, is that how it is supposed to look? also now should I use a 2 part clearing agent and then filter it through carbon? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
. . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Problems:
1) I don't see your name as a customer of ours
2) I don't know what you are fermenting or how it was done
3) No beginning/ending hydrometer readings to know where you are now
4) Judging a batch of (???) by it's color can't be reliable
5) Normally you don't carbon filter right after fermentation. Not sure why you would do that...
Sorry . . .
7/24/2006 -- i gotta say this is the greatest yeast ive ever tried. it starts an active (fast fermentation) about 3 hours after inoclulating it. i was surprised that it was possible with just sugar and water. 2 days later and its still going stong and its strong in taste. i love this and can't wait to buy more. my question is will it go any higher then . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No, I don't think you will be able to coax it much higher than 20% ABV. That seems to be the practical limit. If you try it, start with a relatively low sugar content, and then add a little more each day. You may be able to go a little over this way.
Some sugars will ferment faster, like corn sugar, but I'm not sure I know what you mean . . .
7/22/2006 -- how much top space will i need when the head expands using this yeast? i have a 6 gallon fermentor. i just finished adding everything, i used five gallons leaving 1 gallon of space.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Impossible to say. Depends on temperature, mineral content, oxygenation, WHAT you are fermenting and probably 10-12 other factores. Sorry. Probably a lot of space, however. Use blowoff tube to contain the overflow.
7/15/2006 -- if i use the alcotec 48 to make 20% in 5 days, do i add just sugar, water and yeast. or do i need something else. and what about adding yeast nutrients, acids, hulls, etc. do i need those or just that one pack of yeast? and also, you say it makes 20% acohol per 25 liters of sugar, do you mean everything together? so how much sugar would i . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You just need the sugar and water. This turbo yeast contains the yeast as well as the required nutrients. Just add one packet.
The packet says 25 liters (including water, sugar) not 25 liters of just sugar. To obtain 20% alcohol, you will need to add about 13-16 lbs of sugar, if you are using water. If you are also using juice (you mentioned . . .
4/27/2006 -- What are the geographical origin of alcotec 48 and alcotec 48 yeast ? USA, else?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It comes from the UK.
4/15/2006 -- ON THE PACKAGE IT STATES 'IMPORTANT'
DO NOT USE AN AIR LOCK. WHY IS THIS?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: This yeast has an extremely fast (vigorous) fermentation that sometimes overwhelms a standard airlock.
3/10/2006 -- Does this yeast include yeast nutrients, or do you have to add them?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, all of the turbo yeasts contain nutrients as well.
3/7/2006 -- How many packets are included in a purchase?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: One packet.
2/12/2006 -- Can homebrewed wines be distilled?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes; most certainly. That is how brandy is made.
The legality of doing so depends on where you are located and lots of other factors, however.
5/18/2005 -- how much sugar to water to yeast mixture is needed for this yeast and what is the best temps etc. trying to pick the best yeast for me.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Instructions:
25 litres of 20% alcohol in 5 days
Alcotec 48 is a "dual function" turboyeast. You can choose whether to ferment 14% alcohol fast, or 20% in 5 days, simply by changing the amount of sugar added. For 20% in 5 days just increase from 6 to 8 kgs of sugar in the recipe below.
Instructions:
25 litres of 14% alcohol in 48 . . .
9/26/2004 -- can you make brandys or schnapps and are they legal?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It depends how you do it, where you live and how willing you are to do the paperwork...
Mixing flavoring essences into purchased (commercial) vodka is legal.
Making your own (for home use) by distillation is not legal in the U.S. In other countries, it is often legal.
Of course, brandys and schnapps can be made commerically in the . . .
5/5/2004 -- The Price Of Gasoline Just Keeps Going Up !
If I Became Good At Distilling And Ran A "Moderately" Efficient Distillation System:
How Many Hundred Pounds Of Corn Would I Have To Distill Each Week To Make 20 Gallons Of Fuel Quality Alcohol For My Automobile?
How Long Would It Take To Distill 20 Gallons Of 'Fuel Quality' Alcohol Using . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, it does (the price, anyway)!
The use of alcohol as a fuel, and economics of doing so is best described in this website:
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/ethanol_manual/manual_ToC.html
3/6/2004 -- I have "Compleat Distiller" on my shopping list for general purposes. Do you know if this book covers the use of potatoes (versus grains) as the base for the fermentation stage, or do I need to search for additional "informational" materials?
Thanks.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: This book is an excellent resource for the distillation part of the process, but it is a little "lean" on the fermentation portion.
The Alaska Bootleggers Bible actually has better information on using potatoes, and even has a recipe for potato "wine".
2/28/2004 -- Is it illegal to produce ethanol for a use other than human consumption?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It depends on where you live, but in general, it is not illegal to produce ethanol for use as a fuel, for instance. A permit, however, may be required. The Feds even offer tax credits for producing alcohol as alternative fuel.
Here is a link to that permit:
http://www.homebrewheaven.com/permit.pdf
We are not lawyers of course, and you . . .
2/23/2004 -- Do you know of any websites or books that have instructions on making a still from scratch?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Most of the books we sell shown how to build a simple still.
Here is a like to the Distillation category:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&CategoryID=41
You can also try:
http://www.moonshine-still.com/
and
http://homedistiller.org/
2/8/2004 -- This product says not to use a airlock, Why? and what will happen if I do? Also, should I refridgerate this product, if I will not be using it for a while? Thanks
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The reason is that it is an extremely fast working yeast, and it may clog an airlock. There is no harm in using one, just make sure it is clear.
Yes, it is best to refrigerate the yeast if it won't be used for a while. Fresh yeast is happy yeast. Just allow it to slowly reach fermentation temperature before adding.
1/31/2004 -- Does this product use regular (Table) sugar or corn sugar? Thanks
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You can go either way with it. Corn sugar will ferment faster, however.
1/5/2004 -- I would like a book or information on how to ferment rice,potatoes,cracked corn.wheat,etc without the use of commercial sugar.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I would recommend these three books:
"From Harvest to Moonshine"
"The Lore Of Still Building"
"The Alaskan Bootlegger's Bible"
All are available in our "Distillation" categoy.
1/1/2004 -- How long does it take to make a liquor with a still?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It involves two separate operations:
1) Fermentation
2) Distillation
Step 1) depends very much on what is being fermented, temperature, nutrients, yeast and many other factors. A general timeframe may be say... 7-10 days. This is entirely legal in most countries/states.
Step 2) takes perhaps 4-8 hours
Please bear in mind, that . . .
12/12/2003 -- Is it possible to make truely "tasteless" alcohol or does it usually turn out to be something like a vodka you'd buy in a store?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No, it is not possible. Vodka is just ethanol (alcohol) and water. No additional flavors at all.
11/16/2003 -- Is it possible to turn an old beer keg into a good still? What type of still would be better(pot or reflux)? And also how would I control the temperature of the mixture? For research purposes only, of course.........
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, it is possible, along with a number of components.
Stills are not complex. Temperature is controlled in many ways, depending on how YOU design it. There are electric immersion types, external hotplates, propane fired, solar etc etc etc.
Reflux stills and pot stills are just different design types. Reflux designs are inherently . . .
11/9/2003 -- So after someone builds a still what would be a good book to really get in to learning about distillation, recipes, tips, etc.?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The best book I know of is the "Compleat Distiller".
Here is a link:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&ProductID=34
10/6/2003 -- What could I do to maximize the alcohol content of my product? ie. Ph levels, ideal temp, etc.?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: This yeast is quite temperature tolerant (15 deg C to 35 deg C), but starting at 35oC will help. Maintaining 25-35 deg C. will help to increase alcohol content. pH should be in the range of 3.0 to 3.5
15 deg C =59 deg F
25 deg C =77 deg F
35 deg C =95 deg F
Keep in mind that more volatiles are produced at higher temperatures. Volatiles . . .
9/20/2003 -- i have done some research i have found that in 1984 was a bill signed that made it legal to make 100gal per year for legal age person that resides at that address for personal use and not for sale. please tell me if something has changed.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I assume the law you are referring to (actually in 1978 by the Feds, altho some states took longer) legalized beer and wine making only, not distillation. Beer and winemaking involves production of alcohol through the normal, natural processes of yeast fermentation; and that is typically the legal distinction.
The deliberate CONCENTRATION . . .
9/15/2003 -- Is it illegal to make moonshine for personal use in the U.S?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: If by moonshine, you mean distilled alcohol that is produced at home for consumption as a beverage without paying taxes, YES!
We do not encourage, and will not be responsible, for the illegal use of equipment purchased from Homebrew Heaven. If you intend to do that, we don't want to know.
In many other countries, it is legal (New Zealand . . .
9/12/2003 -- I need to know everything there is to on how to build my own still I need at least a 5 gallon dimension please!!!
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I would recommend the books "Lore of Still Building" and "The Compleat Distiller" and "Moonshine Made Simple and Still Makers Manual" for full information on this.
9/10/2003 -- new zealand has become propaganderised as a non-drinkers heaven. tax is raised by the communist govt. on real beer(4.5%+)and on spirits! The 'average class' new zealander prime minister asked live on tv why beer drinkers do not drink lite beer. The country shook to its' core when about 400,000 real men and 200,000 sheilas started stomping . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I sympathize with you. Please understand that we don't have it so good either. At leastin NZ it's not illegal to distill at home. I'm of the opinion that anything I choose to do at home is MY damn business. Land of the free? I think not. By the way, in this state, blood alcohol limit was .10; now it is 0.08 and I'll bet in a year or two, we'll . . .
6/14/2003 -- Is it legal for an individual in the US to distill spirits for individual consumption?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No. It is not.
In some other countries, like New Zealand, Sweden and others, it is.
There are at least two reasons advanced for this:
1) Taxation. No incentive for the government to make it legal.
2) Liqour industry. A highly profitable industry would take a hit. The feds support their industry, and the industry supports the feds. . . .
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