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5/2/2012 -- I am new to this brewing my own beer soda & wine. Your kits only have the brewing tools & not the mixing ingredients right?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Welcome to our hobby/obsession!
Yes, we sell the brewing equipment kits (tools) separately from the ingredients for making beer/wine/sodas. The Equipment Kits are a one time purchase, and you can choose the type of beer you like from our Ingredient Kits. We put together about 15 different recipe kits that get you started in the right way. . . .
7/27/2010 -- I want to buy a kit that would enable me to do both beer and wine. A friend argues I should go with the wine kit and add the beer brewing stuff. Please let me know exactly what I need to purchase.
Also, I intend to use ceramic top beer bottles for my beer. What's the best way to clean them? Do you sell the rubber piece (gaskets) they . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: In general, I would say your friend is on the right track, assuming you have a lot of flip-top bottles around. Those bottles are pretty handy.
If you are thinking of making wine from your own juice, fresh fruit etc, then the 5 gallon wine making kit is a good choice. If you want to make wine from our varietal wine kits (an excellent way . . .
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
11/20/2008 -- On the standard bucket fermenters that come with your kits, where is the 5-gallon mark relative to the bottom plastic "ring" near the top of the bucket?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It is very close to the bottom ring. If you want to be extact about it (not necessary in my opinion), it's easy to use an empty milk jug to fill it to 5 gallons, and then mark it on the outside.
If you are using it as a primary fermenter, remember that your goal is to end up YIELDING 5 gallons. You will loose a little to evaporation and . . .
8/3/2008 -- I brought a Wine making kit from you & was wondering where I can find Labels to put on my wine bottles? Do you carry any? Please let me know, Thanks!
Sincerly Yours; Margie
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Sure do. They are in our Bottle Labeling Supplies category. Software, too, for making your own. Here is a link to that category:
http://store.homebrewheaven.com/Category34
8/1/2008 -- HI, I would like to try to make mead. Do I need to buy a "Beer Kit" and do you sell instructions for this? I have only made whiskey with a still. Beer and mead making is COMPLETELY NEW. Please help with some info and tell what I need to buy. Thank You,,,Paul
Response From Homebrew Heaven: A great way to get started in making mead is with these two products:
Nectar of the Gods Mead Kit
http://store.homebrewheaven.com/Product550
This is the ingredients, instructions etc to make a nice traditional mead.
For the equipment, we recommend our 5 Gallon Complete Wine Making Kit. It has all the hardware...fermenter, test equipment . . .
7/29/2008 -- Hello, i'm a first time brewer that wants to make a nice Mead wine. I would like to buy you "Nectar of the Gods" kit, what is all the equipment i will need?
I live in Columbus, Ohio and i know you have to keep Mead at a certain temp my basement is a little cold, can i keep the mead for frementing in the basement? Or should i seek out . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The Nectar of the Gods Mead Kit is all the ingredients and instructions you need to make a great mead/wine. It does not include the hardware (brewing equipment).
We offer a Complete Winemaking Equipment Kit that works perfectly for making mead as well. Here is a link to that product:
http://store.homebrewheaven.com/Product289
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 . . .
6/3/2007 -- Am new to winemaking. I have a fairly nice crop of muscadines that I made jelly with last year. Would like to try wine. Is the five gallon kit good and can I use it to make smaller batches? Also what do I need besides kit?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You can only eat so much jelly! Yes, this kit would work well for you, and can be used for smaller batches...altho more is better. As far as equipment, that is all that is required (except for a way of crushing the grapes, and bottles).
Here is a typical recipe for Muscadine Wine
MUSCADINE GRAPE WINE
Makes 5 gallons
35 lbs ripe Muscadine . . .
4/22/2007 -- I am wanting to experiment with Wine making/Beer making. If I buy the Wine making Kit, what other materials would I need to purchase to also make the Beer as well, or would I need to Buy two seperate kits? Also would mixing the two brwing process's change the taste of either?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Welcome to our world!
Buying the Wine Making Equipment Kit is a good way to go. Much of the equipment is interchangeable (fermenters, airlocks, siphon hose, hydrometer etc etc). To make beer as well, you would only need to add a capper, some bottle caps and of course the beer ingredients (we have those as kits as well). You would also need . . .
2/8/2007 -- I have been using a 6 gallon carboy to make wine from wine kits. I have seen 6.5 gallon carboys and 5 gallon carboys as well as many smaller sizes. My question is when and why would you use a 5 gallon or a 6.5 gallon when most of the kits that are sold are for 6 gallon batches?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, those sizes are also available.
I guess the answer is that many people make beer and wine differently than you do. Beer making is almost exclusively based on 5 gallon batches. This is due to lots of reasons, but the 5 gallon size works out well for kegging your beer. There are lots of 5 gallon cornelius kegs available.
The 6.5 . . .
8/13/2006 -- Morning Gentlemen,
I have a question about MEAD MAKING? My freinds and I at work would like to start making Mead. We see the beer brewing kits and wine kits. Which do we purchase and how about ingredents? We would like to age it for our Christmas party as a surprise to everyone . Thanks in advance.. Charlie Great WEB site alot of information.... . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: For a traditional (still, not sparkling) mead, we recommend getting the Complete Wine Making Equipment Kit (5 gallon). This provides all the hardware you will need except for wine bottles, which are pretty easy to come by. Here is a link to that product:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/Product289
If you are interested in a sparkling . . .
6/8/2006 -- I have your delux beer kit plus i added an additional 6 gal carboy and i have the ozygenation system.
i want to make some wine for the wife. I do not drink wine, never found any i like. not sofisticated enough i guess so i know very little about wine. she likes a semi sweet blush white wine, with some fruity flavor to it. which of your . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: So many questions! It would be better to ask them individually, that way the answer can appear in the various categories, and others can benefit from them. Here goes, however...
I'm sure she would like our Cellar Classic White Zinfandel Kit. Here is a link to that product:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/Product264
No, we don't have . . .
6/7/2006 -- Can the fermenters and carboys be used for either beer making or wine making? If I want to do both, which kit should I be looking at?
Trying to figure out the biggest bang for my buck!
Thanks
Shawn
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Understood. It seems like we get less and less bang every day (for the buck). In this case, it helps that you can use much of the same equipment for both (fermenter, carboy, airlocks, siphon, hydrometer & test jar etc etc.).
For MY buck, I would get the Wine Making Equipment Kit and supplement it with a capper and some caps for the beer. . . .
3/6/2006 -- does the kit come with ingreadients suger,yeast,ect
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Sort of. You can SELECT it with the ingredients also (from the options), or you can buy it simply as an equipment kit.
3/6/2006 -- i nead help growing grapes does your book from the kit tell me how to or do i nead to by a second book from you
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I would recommend a second book, call "Growng Wine Grapes"
1/2/2006 -- My lady bought me a "mead" kit from another supplier for Christmas, Now I need to fill in the missing pieces. I need to know everything that is in your 5gal kit so that I can delete duplicate items from my shopping cart. For instance, the picture shows bottle and carboy brushes but they are not listed in the contents of the kit.
These . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The 5 Gallon Wine Making Equipment Kit does include a carboy brush as well as a bottle brush. You also get the iodophor sanitizer and 2 airlocks and stoppers. It does not come with carboy handles, thief, or auto-siphon.
12/1/2005 -- I made my first batch of wine using Concord grapes (with the help of relative). It's in secondary fermention stage now. I have it in plastic bottles, i.e whatever I can find from my kitchen. From reading your Q&A section, I assume that I should transfer it to glass carboy ASAP? Liquid from the white grapes is in light tan greenish color. . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It sounds like you have a lot of general questions. Without a doubt, there will be more as your wine progresses. It would have been best to read up before starting your wine, but that ship has already sailed...
We can recommend these books (links to them are below):
The Backyard Vintner
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/Product1455
Home . . .
10/17/2005 -- I'm very interested in this kit, but is it all necessary?
We went to the neighbors last night to taste some and it was good. He said that he just used peach pits and peelings to make his wine with water, sugar, and yeast. The process was about the same, it just didn't have any of that other stuff in it. Will it make a big difference?
Does . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: well...I'm guessing that your neighbor used some equipment... like fermenters, airlocks, corks, corker, bottle filler, siphon hose, a straining bag to hold the fruit, and other things that are in this kit. Yes, as far as the INGREDIENTS, he may have used just those items, but some equipment is necessary. Again, that is what is in this kit. . . .
9/4/2005 -- It's been quite awhile since I made wine, but I still have some equipment such as a 2 lever corker, bottle filler and a few other things. Can you offer me one of your equipment kits minus a couple items that I don't need?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we can do that. Just order the kit, and when you go to the "checkout", there is a "Customer Comments" section. Just make note of the items you don't need, and we will adjust your kit (and price) accordingly.
8/3/2005 -- The sulfites in many wines causes my face to turn red due to allergies. Can I make wine without adding sulfites?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, it can be done. You probably can't age your wine for years and years, but it will come out just fine.
6/21/2005 -- I'am looking to purchase a wine making kit of sorts. I have a huge Mulberry tree in my yard and it will be ready to pick within the next 2 weeks. What is it that I will need to purchase and probably have to ship a.s.a.p.
Also do you have any suggestions for Mulberry wine?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: This Kit (Complete Wine Making Equipment Kit - 5 Gallon) will serve you very nicely. You would only need to add the acid blend, pectic enzyme, yeast nutrient and Bordeaux yeast.
Here is a recipe for 5 gallons:
TEXAS MULBERRY WINE
30 lb. Texas mulberries
12-1/2 lb. granulated sugar
5 lb. raisins
3 3/4 tsp. acid blend
2 1/2 tsp. . . .
6/16/2005 -- my wife is korean and we are wanting to start making our wine. her mother taught her to just ad sugar and let it age.is this one way of making it?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Not if you want good wine, no. Why not make GOOD wine?
Use one of our varietal wine (ingredient) kits, like those that are offered with this equipment kit, and you will make good wine! We have a large selection, if there is a particular type of wine you enjoy, we probably have it.
6/10/2005 -- In september, we will have a large crop of pawpaws. I would like to make a European style fruit brandy from them. We have a friend with a distillation system. Where do I start to learn how to prepare, ferment the fruit. My web searches so far have been "fruitless".
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Well, the first step in making brandy is to make pawpaw wine. It is then distilled to make brandy.
Here is a 1 gallon recipe I found (sorry, I haven't had the pleasure of trying it):
PAWPAW WINE
* 2-3 lbs ripe pawpaws
* 2 lbs granulated sugar
* 7 pts water
* 1-1/2 tsp citric acid
* 1 tsp pectic enzyme
. . .
1/14/2005 -- I am planning on making wine. I was told it's best if I keep the wine at about 56 deg...same as my wine cooler, while it's fermenting or ? If that's the case, could you please tell me the height and diameter of the bucket/carboy....whichever would be used to store the wine under temp.
Also, is the Vino Chardonnay a chardonnay concentrate...I . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: As far as the temperature...not necessarily so! Red wine is typically fermented at warmer temperatures (70-85 deg F) or so, and whites are (typically) fermented at about room temperature. If you are after particularly fruity characteristics, you may want to go lower than room temperature, however. STORAGE and AGING of wines is another matter. . . .
12/31/2004 -- Do you have any kits smaller than 5 gallons? I am just worried that 5 gallons may be a bit much for the wife and I. i would like to be able to make a variety of wines and not have 30 bottles in the pantry.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No we don't. 25 bottles (5 gallons) may SOUND like a lot of wine, but most people find it easy to use that much, especially when given as gifts etc. Everyone appreciates a good bottle of wine. My cellar certainly was reduced this holiday season!
Besides, you can make your wine for much less (per bottle cost), so why not have a little more . . .
12/11/2004 -- I really want to make peach wine. I bought two books from XXX (name omitted) in California but, they don't explain the specifics, nor will they sell me a wine making kit. Will your instruction book explain the process of cooking peach wine?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we think our book does a very good job.
Here is a recipe in the meantime:
Peach Wine
Adapted from 'Winemaking' by Stanley F. and Dorothy Anderson
Ingredients for 23 litres (5 Imp. Gallons)
8.5 kg (18 lbs) Fresh ripe peaches
1.5 litres (1.5 quarts) White grape concentrate
2.8 kg (6.6 lbs) Sugar
7.5 litres (7.5 quarts) . . .
11/29/2004 -- I have the deluxe beer making equipment kit. What other equipment items will I need to work with your wine ingredient kit to make wine? Thanks!
Response From Homebrew Heaven: For the varietal wines, we'd recommend a corker, corks, and a good wine making book. The other items, like a nylon straining bag, acid test kit and campden tablets are used when making fruit wines, from fruits like berries, peaches etc. and are not really necessary when making for instance, a Vino del Vida Merlot.
You will find that wines . . .
11/19/2004 -- I've always wanted to start making wine as a hobby. First I wanted to grow my own grapes but I have searched the internet over and cannot find anywhere that sells Reisling plants to get started. Any suggestions or web sites would be greatly appreciated.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No, sorry, we have no source for grape vines.
I would suggest making wine from kits as a good way to get started, however!
9/25/2004 -- Several months ago, my niece ordered me your 5-gal winemaking equipment kit. I am using it for the 1st time with fresh muscadines. I have read so much on winemaking that I am confused. Please answer the following for me:
1.I crushed the muscadines in the nylon bag and placed the bag along with the juice and the other ingredients in the primary . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: 1. Yes
2. Once a day for about a week.
3. Wait for the active fermention to subside...maybe a week, maybe 3 depending on sugar/alcohol level, nutrients, temperature, yeast used and many other factors. If you went 2 weeks, you should be just fine, however.
4. That is adding a little more wine (or water) to bring the volume up to close to . . .
9/21/2004 -- What is the difference between the two wine equipment kits? Is it just the size of the carboy and bins? Or, another way of asking is; do both kits contain the same accoutrements?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The are exactly the same kits, just different sizes. The 6 gallon is usually used with our Varietal Wine kit, which are designed to make 6 U.S. gallons.
9/17/2004 -- i just got done making some wine do i have to put water in the airlock and if so how much does it need in there? and how long do i wait to see this work this is my first time using a airlock and making wine help
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You fill it about half way up the airlock. When fermentation begins, it will bubble. How long THAT takes depends on many things, what you are making, type of yeast, temperature and many other factors.
9/15/2004 -- I have the Wine Making Equipment Kit and so far everything was pretty simple, but one thing got me a bit stumped: I can't figure out how the mechanics on the bottle filler are working and it's the only piece that does not seem to come with a description. Where can I find some how-to-guide or something so I don't hook it up backwards and screw . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The bottle filler gets attached to the end of your siphon hose. It just slips into the hose. The spring-load end goes into the bottle. When you start a siphon, the flow of the wine starts when you push it down onto the bottom of the bottle, and the flow stops when you lift it up. You can go from one bottle to the next quickly and easily this . . .
8/24/2004 -- I have 2 big pear trees. can I make pear wine with this kit? Do you know a recipe?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, this equpment kit is a good choice. A recipe is shown below:
Pear Wine
Adapted from 'Winemaking' by Stanley F. and Dorothy Anderson
------------------------------------------------------------
Ingredients for 23 litres (6 U.S. Gallons)
1 level tsp sulphite crystals dissolved in 1 litre of water--to be sprinkled over the pears . . .
8/23/2004 -- I am interested in starting out with the "ballon" type wine then graduating to the kit of yours. Can you tell me how to make this type?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: There is a recipe that dates back to (at least) 1967, but I don't encourage people to make wine in that way. At that ime, home wine making supplies were unheard of, and you had to "make do" with what you had in the kitchen.
It's so easy to make GOOD wine now, that there is no need to do it in that way. Using a ballon as an airlock, and . . .
8/6/2004 -- I do not see yeast in your "complete wine making kit"? Do you buy this separately or am I misreading something?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Correct. Yeast is not included.
This Kit is intended to be an "equipment kit" or in other words, all the hardware necessary to make wine.
Many people do not need yeast, for example, they are buying a Varietal Wine Kit (which includes yeast). For those who are not, many people like to select the individual ingredients like the type of . . .
7/24/2004 -- Like a lot of the others that I see have sent questions, mine is similar. I have a huge pear tree that bears plentiful every year. I can only make so many perserves. I have been wanting to try making my own wine. Would these pears make good wine? Also, I was wondering I have an outside building I was planning on doing this wine in. Would . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Pears make a very nice wine. It has a light, fruit flavor. It doesn't spread well on your toast, however :}
I would recommend fermenting it in a cooler area, like in the house (air conditioned in the summer, I assume). This will accentuate the fruitiness. If all you have is an outside shed, it is still worth doing, however.
7/4/2004 -- I have several grape vines as well as apple and peach trees that the fruits of which are seldom put to any use. i have always enjoyed homemade wine and would like to start making it. There ar so many kits available from so many different suppliers and it is all so confusing to me. Can you please tell me EVERYTHING I will need to begin making . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Lots of books have been written on wine making, and it would be impossible to write EVERYTHING about the subject here. The Univ of California (Davis) offers a B.S. in Vinticulture and Enology (winemaking) and it could be argued that obtaining that degree is just a starting point!
So...if you are looking for a summary of how to go about . . .
3/21/2004 -- do i need to buy a whole new kit every time i want to make wine?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Not the equipment, no. That is a one-time purchase.
You will only need the ingredients.
If you like red wines, go here:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&CategoryID=65
If you like whites, go here:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&CategoryID=64
If you like fruit wines, go here:
http://www.nexternal.com . . .
3/4/2004 -- OK, now what? If I buy the complete kit what else do I need to start making great wine? I don't want to wait to get the kit and have to read the book and then find I have to order other things and then have to wait. Tell me all the things I should order now so when it all comes I can pick up your book and read and make.
. . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The Complete Wine Equipment Kit (6 Gallon) is really quite complete...just select a type of wine (ingredients) that you like to go with it (from Varietal Wine Kits, either red or white as you prefer). Yes, there is a book included, but many people just charge ahead using the instruction sheet supplied with the ingredients. They are really . . .
1/29/2004 -- I live in northern WI where there is large numbers of berries, and cherries (pin and choke). Does your kit include all the equipment needed to make a batch of wine. Also I would need recipes do you have a variety of recipes? thank you.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The book that comes in the kit has a number of different fruit wine recipes and the Equipment Kit is complete but you will need to get some chemicals as called out in the recipe.
1/21/2004 -- To HBH... I don't have a question for you for I am writing to say thank you for all your support, prompt service, education, enlightening humor, quality products and excellent web page. I have purchased my entire home brewery including extras, and a complete wine making system from HBH and could not be more satisfied! Shipping is prompt . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Wow, Aaron. We're blushing! I will be sure to post your kind words for the staff to see.
It's true, we enjoy what we do, and we enjoy hearing back from customers. Quite often we don't, and it's good to hear that we are doing something right.
Enjoy your new setup, and happy brewing to you!
Ralph
12/19/2003 -- A friend of mine who used to homebrew wine and beer in the 1970s told me the the B.A.T.F. (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) limits you to brewing something like 5 gallons per year for personal use. (It may have been more than that, it was a long time ago when he told me this and I forgot the fine details) He also said if you brew . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Either your friend's memory ain't so good, or the story has evolved over the years.
Since the Carter administration, you are allowed to make 100 gallons of beer and another 100 gallons of wine per year, per adult without violating any sort of federal law (in the U.S). That's a LOT. If you can consume that much, you're doing better than . . .
12/5/2003 -- I would like to brew mead and am interested in your kits. Which do you think would be better for the purpose -- the wine kits or the beer kits? What do I really need to do this?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: If you favor a traditional (non-carbonated) mead, I would recommend the Complete Wine Making Quipment Kit (5 Gallon). Here is a link:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&ProductID=289
If you want to make a carbonated mead, it would be best to go with the Intermediate Brewing Kit for beer. Here is a link to that one:
http: . . .
11/27/2003 -- i have access to lots of kiwi and would like to know the proper process to make wine from them. which of you products would be best to use. the cost of your product to produce a sweet wine. i have 8 acres of kiwi. i would like to experiment on diffent ways to make it. when i find which i like best to make it in large amounts.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: This equipment kit (or the Complete Wine Making Equipment Kit - 6 Gallon) would be ideal for refining your process. To make multiple batches, just as as many 6 gallon glass carboys as necessary. When you go commercial, we can help with that as well.
Kiwi wine is something I would love to try! Maybe you can send us a bottle! See below for . . .
11/26/2003 -- I come from a long line of Italian wine makers, unfortunatly the last of the breed, my grandfather, died several years ago before I could grasp the technique. I have barrels (huge), a press and bottles - but that is it. My father and I would like to make some wine in the old tradition but feel it may be a good start to use a kit first. . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Your father is right. It would be wise to make some wine using kits first. You will gain in experience AND make some excellent wine!
Yes, your barrels and bottles can be used in the process, but the kits are intended to make 6 gallons, or about 30 bottles each. I would suggest making a batch (or several, actually) with our equipment kit . . .
11/19/2003 -- Hi, I have been brewing beer for a little while and I'm thinking about doing wine. I have a basic single fermentation kit for beer and wanted to know what equipment I can use for wine and what extra equiptment I would need.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Great! Wine is a fun thing to do as well.
For wine, I would get another carboy. Wine just takes longer, and therefor ties up your fermenter for a longer time.
If you are using one of our varietal wine kits, about the only other hardware you would need is a corker and some corks. Most people just save their wine bottles and re-use them. . . .
10/6/2003 -- My husband and I are interested in purchasing a wine making kit. We have all sorts of wild fruit and would like to process them into wines.
Please tell me about your wine kits AND what other items we need to order to go with it, so we can submit a complete order and get it al at once.
Thank you
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The Equipment Kit is designed to have all the hardware necessary to make wine. It does not include bottles, yeast, or any ingredients that may be necessary. Typically, a recipe will call for wine yeast, acid blend, tannin, yeast nutrient, and potassium sorbate...depending on the type of fruit involved, and the recipe you are following.
10/2/2003 -- I'm thinking about trying to make hard cider.I would like to store it in capped 12oz bottles. I need a complete kit to get started. Your wine making kit looks like it's close to what I need. Can you confirm this ? also can you modify that kit to supply caps and capper instead of corks ? What would the cost be for a complete kit ?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we can do that. It should work well for sparking cider. Maybe it's something we should offer on the website!?
The cost should be about $10 LESS than the wine kit. For now, however, please call in your order...(800) 850-2739 and we'll make it happen.
8/22/2003 -- I have 2 questions,
1.) I purchased your intermediate beer kit several years ago, and I am interested in getting into making some wine. Other than the obvious bottles, corks, and corker what else do I need. and what is the "wine equivalent" of the joy of homebrewing book? I would like to learn more about it.
2.) I also want to get a . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: 1) You are correct. The items you named should do well for you. There are at least two good wine making books, "Jim and George's Home Wine Making" is what we put into our wine equipment kits, and is a good general instruction/recipe book. Another is "Joy of Winemaking", by Garr. Both are available in our Winemaking Books category. Neither . . .
8/18/2003 -- I have just picked several pounds of wild elderberrys what is the best way to store them until I purchase a wine making kit, can I freeze them? should I blanch them first. or can I just vacum pack them?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Absolutely! Freeze them. This actually helps to break down the fruit in preparation for squeezing etc. I would just wash/dry and freeze in a plastic bag. The campden tablets (part of the kit) will take care of any unwanted bacteria and yeasts prior to fermentation.
8/13/2003 -- Are blackberry's good for making wine and what types?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Heck YES! When blackberries are ripe, we get a SWARM of people in to make wine. There are lots of recipes available, including one in the book (included in the kit).
Just plain blackberry wine is very good. One of my favorites is a blackberry/pinot noir blend. Very popular!
8/1/2003 -- I have a supply of fresh concord grapes that I would like to make into wine. I am planning on the 5 gallon kit, but what I'm not sure of is how I should "juice" the grapes, what I should add, and what type of yeast I should use.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Well, that depends on the quantity of wine you want to make, mostly. For a 5 gallon batch, you can easily use the nylon staining bag (included in the kit) and just "hand squeeze" the juice. Other prefer to dump the grapes into a tub, or large cooler, and "stomp" them by foot, the old fashioned way. If you were making a LARGE quantity of wine . . .
7/26/2003 -- I have an unlimited supply of fresh Maine blueberries and would like to experiment with, producing an initial 25-50 bottles of wine to see if it's something I would like to do on a regular basis. Please recommend a kit for my needs; I don't want something that is woefully inadequate for my needs if I decide to, down the road, quadruple my . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: This kit (Complete Wine Equpment Kit), or the similar 6 Gallon Equipment Kit would be a good way to get started. This will produce 25-30 bottles of wine, and if your needs quadruple, simply buy a few more glass carboys and/or plastic fermenters to increase your capacity. This is how most winemakers do it.
Yes, this Kit is adaptable to about . . .
7/16/2003 -- We live in central florida. We have a "very large" musk-a-dine grapes (Not sure about spelling I just sounded it out)They are the dark ones deep purple almost black fruit. This arbour has supplied several people with plenty of grapes for wine over the years. The vine is around 40yrs old. My question is how do I get started making my own wine? . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Sure, there are lots of recipes for muscadine grape wine. Some are really quite good. Try an internet search for "muscadine wine recipe" and you will find several.
A good place to start is with our Complete Equipment Kit. It has all the hardware to get you going. Your recipe will probably call for a few additional things like yeast, nutrient . . .
7/9/2003 -- We want to make Chardonnay and Merlot wine from a small 100 vine 3 year old vinyard. About one third of the vines are producing enough grapes to harvest, the Chardonnay looking best. What type of wine kit is best to start out with at home? We are in Temecula, California.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: This one (6 gallon Complete Wine Equipment Kit) is a good one to get started with. You can add to it as needed, and to accomodate more vines as they become ready. You can then see if you want to go "big league" in the wine business.
7/8/2003 -- HAVE SMALL VINEYARD WITH 50 CONCORD GRAPE VINES. WILL HAVE ABOUT FOUR HUNDRED POUNDS OF GRAPES READY TO PICK SOON.AM LOOKING FOR IMFORMATION ON HOW TO START A LARGER SCALE METHOD OF MAKING WINE.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: That should make about 50-55 gallons of wine. I'll assume this is will be an ongoing project for you.
A stemmer/destemmer would be a nice item to add, and a fruit press. We have those items, of course, as well as lots of books on how to go into larger scale production. You didn't mention if you are local or not, but these can be trucked . . .
7/7/2003 -- I have 11 lbs of pitted and washed Montmorency cherries, frozen in a simple sugar syrup, in my freezer since last summer. Is there any way that I still use them to make wine? If so, how?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Sure! Follow these instructions to make 3 gallons:
Ingredients:
Your cherries and sugar!
____ lbs additional white table sugar(****see step 3)
3 tsp. acid blend
2 tsp. yeast nutrient
1.5 tsp. pectic enzyme
5 tsp sodium bisulfite solution
1 pkg Red Star Cote de Blanc wine yeast
1.5 tsp potassium sorbate to stabilize
Instructions
1. . . .
7/3/2003 -- Are there any larger kits that can make more then 5-6 gallons?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Not as a "standard" kit, but it would be easy for us to put one together for you. A larger fermenter, more carboys etc. is really all you need...the test equipment, siphon stuff, corker etc all work fine on larger batches. Please call us on (800) 850-2739 if you want a larger "custom" kit. We'll work it out!
Remember too, that simply adding . . .
7/1/2003 -- Do I need to age my wine in oak barrels?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No. Most wine is aged in the bottle. If the oak flavor is what you want,oak chips or oak powders are available (and are included in many kits)to get this effect. They are usually added to the fermenter and allowed to settle prior to siphoning off your wine for bottling...same effect, without expensive barrels!
You CAN use oak barrels if . . .
6/23/2003 -- I have been making wine with a 1-gallon glass jug, water, table sugar, yeast and a can of grape juice concentrate. I put a balloon over the lip of the bottle and in 5-6 weeks the wine is done. I have been told it's as good or better than wine you can buy. My question is, am I missing out on potentially making a better wine using your kit? . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I too, made "balloon wine" when I was in high-school with my (now deceased) mother. That was about 35 years ago. We had fun doing it, and thought the results were "fine". We didn't know much about quality wine, is all.
Yes, you can make a MUCH much better wine by doing it the proper way. It's not really that much harder, it just comes out . . .
6/6/2003 -- I want to get started making my own wine. I don't want to have to buy more if I really get into it so I was considering starting off with the 5 gallon one. My question, can you make 3 gallons with the larger model or would there be to much air in it. If so, can you get "the good stuff" in the 3 gallon size or just the larger, hope this . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, you can use this equipment kit to make smaller batches, like 3 gallons. The packaged varietal wine kits, like the Cellar Classic series however, only come in 5-6 gallon sizes.
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