IT IS ILLEGAL TO DISTIL YOUR OWN SPIRIT ANYWHERE IN AUSTRALIA AND WE AT TAS HOME BREWING DON'T CONDONE THE BREAKING OF THE LAW IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER.

BASE ALCOHOL INSTRUCTIONS

(Printer friendly version)

The base alcohol kit will produce a liqueur base at around the 21.5% mark in approximately 3 - 4 weeks.  All you need is a turbo yeast/nutrient sachet, 9Kg of dextrose, a 25L fermenter and another container to transfer the clear "wash" into to remove the sediment from the fermenter.  Other ingredients you require are potassium sorbate, 5 campden tablets, treatment carbon and turbo klar finings.

STEP 1 :- 

1. Add 9Kg of dextrose to a clean and sterilised fermenter.

2. Add enough hot water to dissolve the dextrose, then top up to the 20L mark with cold water.

3. NOTE:- the final temperature should be in the 25ºC - 27ºC range.

4. Add the turbo yeast/nutrient sachet & mix well.

5. Fit the air lock to the fermenter and leave to ferment at around the 25ºC - 27ºC range.

6. When the vigorous bubbling slows down, top up the fermenter to just under the thread in the neck, minimising the air space.

7. NOTE :- The ideal fermentation temp range is 25ºC - 27ºC.... which is most likely to allow a complete ferment down to 0.985 on the hydrometer. In colder climates you may need to use a heating device of some kind to keep the temp in the required range.

STEP 2 :-

1. After 7 days check to see if fermentation is complete, if not allow to continue until it has finished.

2. NOTE :- There should be no surface activity and the S.G. should be below 0.990.  The final S.G. is very important so use your hydrometer and make sure you get a second reading after 2 days that is the same as the first reading.  If unsure, re-seal the fermenter and check again in a few days.

3. Add the potassium sorbate, 5 campden tablets and treatment carbon.

4. Remove all of the gas from the wash.  This is essential for rapid clearing and is best done by repeated pouring of the wash from one container to another until all the gas has been removed.  Alternatively you can vigorously stir the wash at least 6 times over a 48 hour period.

STEP 3 :-

1. Add Fining A and stir gently to just disperse it through the wash.

2. Leave it to stand for one hour.

3. Add Fining B and stir gently to just disperse it through the wash.

4. Leave it to stand for 24 hours.

5. After standing for 24 hours syphon the wash carefully from the fermenter to another fermenter (leaving behind the sediment and carbon)

6. The wash should be crystal clear within 1-3 days

7. NOTE :- The sediment can sometimes cling to the sides of the fermenter during the final clearing stage.  If this happens gently stir around the walls without disturbing the sediment on the bottom.

STEP 4 :-

1. When the wash is crystal clear you are ready to place into bottles and store until ready to use.  This base alcohol can be stored for years due to the 21.5% alcohol content.

2. Your base alcohol can now be used to make liqueurs and 'half strength' spirits.  It makes a better liqueur as the salts from fermentation are masked by the sugar.

TOP

Flavouring your Base Alcohol

(Printer friendly version)

Making Liqueurs: When you have made your base alcohol you can make your liqueurs using this table. 

Making Spirits: When you have made your base alcohol you can make your spirits by using 2200 ml and your chosen flavour.

TOP

YEAST INFORMATION

TOP

CLEANING AND STERILISING

SODIUM METABISULPHITE is the preferred agent for sterilising equipment as it is cheaper.  After cleaning your equipment you can sterilise by using one teaspoonful per 5 litres and soaking for 2 hours.  The solution does not keep.  Drain well, but do not rinse.

TRI-SODIUM PHOSPHATE (BOTTLE CLEANER) is a caustic cleaner.  Mix 1/4 of a cup in 4 litres of hot water and wash bottles or barrels.  Rinse well.  Stubborn stains may require soaking for 24 hours.  We recommend wearing of rubber gloves while using this product.

SODIUM DICHLORISOCYANURATE + TRI-SODIUM PHOSPHATE (KEG CLEANER) is a cleaner and steriliser in one.  Use 1-2 teaspoons in 5 litres of cold water to clean, sterilise and deodorise barrels.  Leave for 10-20 mins then rinse well.

SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE is a commercial brewery descaler/steriliser for the removal of all yeast films, moulds etc.  FOR USE, dilute 50ml to 500ml with water.  Add a little of this solution to the bottles or vessels and shake around for a few seconds or until any film is removed.  Rinse with hot or cold water.  The solution may be used repeatedly until grossly contaminated or the chlorine smell has diminished.

BREWCLEAN is a non toxic colloidal cleaner.  The micelles attack dirt and push it into the water, making it easy to wash away.  Heavy cleaning jobs no dilution required.  Moderate cleaning jobs 1 part brewclean to 3 parts water. Light cleaning jobs 1 part brewclean to 6 parts water.  Wet the surfaces with brewclean, agitate the product on the surface by wiping, rubbing and shaking as required.  Allow to sit then rinse clean.

TOP

Contact Information

Phone & Fax

        (0362) 346230

Postal address

E mail

Sales & Customer Support: info@thbs.intas.net
Webmaster: support@thbs.intas.net