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/Category41

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 actually answer as long as it's business hours!

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.

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. Keep passing water thru the carbon for maybe 10-15 minutes, and it should be ready.

I'm told that just plain soaking the carbon in a large bowl of water is effective too. Discard the water a couple of times to get rid of the gray "powder" and refill as necessary.

Spirits should be "cut" with water for best carbon filtration. 60-110 proof is best for filtering.

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.

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 U.S. with the proper permits and licenses. This is difficult and expensive, but it can be done.

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 A Basement Or One Car Garage Sized Still?

And Finally, would Running Straight Alcohol Or A 50/50 Alcohol/Gasoline Mixture Hurt A Fuel Injected Engine?

I'm Not Asking For Documented Facts; Just A Few Guestimates Would Do Fine.

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 should always be sure of your own legal position.

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/

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 step 2) has legal implications in many countries (like the U.S.) if that liquor is used for personal/human consumption. It is always best to understand your own legal position.

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 more efficient, but that is not always what you want. It depends on what you are trying to achieve.

Sorry, but there are no quick answers for this. The books we carry, however, go into lots of detail.

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 are harsh smelling, "fusels". This is not important if you are using it as a fuel, but liquor distilleries try to avoid these unpleasant 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 of alcohol by means such as distillation, fortification, or freezing remains illegal if it is for consumption (within the U.S.). This is to the best of our knowledge, at this time.

There have been some efforts to legalize home distillation of spirits as well, but so far it remains illegal to do at home in the United States.

Land of the free? You decide.

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, Sweden etc.) but in the U.S. it is not. We ship distillation equipment to LOTS of places.

***It is NOT illegal to LEARN about distilling, however.*** even in the U.S.

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 their feet and chanting 'because we don't f%&*ing well want to'. The communist govt and hippy social engineers are also trying to lower the breath alcohol level to .05!

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 be at .05 as well.

Was there a question, or did you just want to blow off steam? (like me!)

8/13/2003 -- WHAT IS THE EXPECTED PRICE TO GET STARTED FOR EQUIPMENT ON MAKING THE LIQUEURS?
DOES IT INVOLVED HAVE COMPLETE SET UPS LIKE IN MAKING WINE?

Response From Homebrew Heaven: No, most home liquers are not "brewed" at all, but are simply "infused" with alcohol (usually vodka or brandy) from the local liquor store. Only simple kitchen utinsels are necessary (jars, wood spoon, measuring cups etc). Therefore the only costs are for the ingredients like fruit, herbs, flavorings and liquor. We also have flavorings (essence) that you simply add (along with sugar) to vodka-like spirits to create "instant" liqueurs.

For gifts, it's nice to put your liqueurs into fancy bottles however, and apply your own custom labels!

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. See 1) above.

We cannot encourage the use of equipment purchased from Homebrew Heaven for illegal purposes. If you intend to do so, please do not tell us.

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