What I Did Today

[Almanac]

Thanks for the lead. That's the type I need and I can get it from a distributor over here.

AM

[RumJohn]

Bottled a couple of cases of "Hainan Hot Pot" vodka. Have had the vodka sitting on Szechuan peppers for several days. I use the peppers that are used for Szechuan Hot Pot dishes. Very intense flavour and have a mild numbing effect on the mouth - which is a necessity.

Now ready to bottle a couple of cases of Apple Pie. Amazed at how people like that.

[Capt-Cudellez]

I've got a wedding to go to today so grabbed a chance this morning to cut my hands to bits, and risk personal injury with my sloppy workshop practices

(Mostly) unsoldered, but the tricky bits done. Holes drilled and the 6mm tube threaded in through the down-comer.


I thought I'd give myself the option of running the cooling through the parrot in case my very short shotgun condenser that this is going under doesn't cool the liquid to near 20oC to get a reading.

The tube for floating the alcometer is 28mm to let me use my chunkier narrow range alcometers.

[YHB]

Made the cuts on my batch of Holland & Barrett Special (AKA Sweet-Feed). Ended up with 2.5 litres of 65%. Added 50 Grams of Heavy Toasted French Oak.

It is very drinkable now, looking forward to trying it in a month.

[Easydrinker]

Almost the whole day,excluding lunch and sanity breaks,rebuilding the large condenser that accompanies my new still build.
It showed its shortcomings last night on the first cleaning run;I think it is now sorted,and hope to post a new build later this week,for the amusement of all.
Robert.

[Almanac]

Saturday: Spirit Run, 40lt @ 40%. Power on at 10.00hrs off at 17.30hrs.

In the morning the weather was crap and I had to keep the workshop doors closed to stop the rain coming in but because the ambient temp was 21oC and it got really hot inside with the doors closed - 26oC. Thankfully the weather recovered in the afternoon and I was able to leave the doors open but then the bloody wasps started coming in in pairs trying to land on my head

Final tally, after Fores, was 13.25lt ranging from 83% down to 65% when the Tails started to show plus 45 dead wasps

AM

[amaark]

Completed the Spirit Run of my 3rd Generation Cornflakes.

The flavour carry through is loads better than the previous 2 runs. Hopefully it will taste like it smells after oaking.

Just need to remember to bring the oak chips.

[RumJohn]

The art work for my "Apple Pie" labels came back today. A couple of changes and ready to print. Demand is considerable and easy to make.

[KerryW]

Nice , would like to see them,, I am collecting the ingredients for 2 sugar washes this weekend,,, Time to get a brewing for the winter,,,

[RumJohn]

[RumJohn]

And my wife's grandmothers still.

[Almanac]

Nice artwork John.

I particularly like your wife's Grandmother's still. Now that's what I call an interesting design

AM

[RumJohn]

Thanks Aidan: It was difficult coming up with something that worked for most people. Same with the bottles. The Chinese generally think the bottle design is too old looking for them. If so, I achieved my goal.

Off to an expat BBQ today. The guy imports foreign beer. Should be good.

[Admiral Toad]

Hello friends old and new
Sorry I've not been posting much recently too busy messing about with motorbikes going to cricket (yes cricket ! ) etc in this grand summer
Starting to build up neutral stocks and some peated whisky nearly ready to bottle sampled it yesterday at its rather good
Just mashed another 25 litres of mild peated yesterday and it's going like a train so much stilling in the coming days plus aquired some medium peated malt so more sticky kitchen floors ahead and new barrels !
Gonna be a busy winter oh and project rebuild Guzzi Le Mans Mk 1 is due to start soon too

[Almanac]

A busy life is a sign that you're a guy who knows and understands that every day is real, no rehearsals, no re-runs and you're taking everything you can squeeze from it

The cold, short, winter days ahead hold no fear for me now as my workshop (glorified garden shed) is fully functional and fully insulated now.

I love the smell of malted barley mashing in hot water, it's so rich and sweet and beautiful

Cricket.....really Wow...I'd never have guessed you were...

AM