Recent content by Brandst

I've been using a combination of Photoshop, MS Word, MS Publisher and Print Shop Pro for my labels. I did purchase a color laser printer to print them, was time to replace my old inkjet anyway. For images I have just used google, although you'll have to wade through a lot that you wouldn't use...

I'll get it in the bottle if one looks to be heading this way. Just added some wine conditioner tonight, will taste tomorrow to make sure it's fine. I would like to let it sit at least 2 more weeks before I bottle, maybe even a bit more. If I don't have it bottled it will be what I serve for the...

We had a little rain here from it, wish it was a lot more though. Think we are like 20" below normal right now so can use as much rain as it could bring us. My pantry is stocked with water, candles, batteries for flashlights, MRE's and a multitude of other hurricane supplies. All wine but the...

Right now I can only have 2 going at once so unless they are the same color I don't worry about labling them. If they are the same color I just use masking or painters tape, never leaves a residue behind and is easy to move from one 'boy to the other if you have to continue racking. Steve

Right now I'm doing a little of both. Buy 2 boxes for the kits then recycle 6 bottles to finish off, I'll probably continue to due that for the next couple of kits and then switch to recycled only as I build up my stash. To get lables off I just fill with hot water then let sit in hot water for...

Bottled my Reisling last night with the Portuguese floor corker, what a difference from the hand corker. Took a bit of adjustment to get the proper seating on the corks but so much faster and easier, and no indents or high corks. Once I got it set I just handed the filled bottles to my roommate...

I've been looking at roasting for the last few months, like George, don't really have the time or space to devote to another hobby right now. As anal as I am about what little coffee I do drink, I only grind beans fresh when I want a pot, I think roasting my own would be ideal. I'll check out...

Also remember that wine making takes time and patience. Don't expect your reds to be great wines only a month or two out of the carboy. I tried my Pinot Noir when it was a month and a half in the bottle, it was ok, better than most $10 bottles I've had, but could already tell it will get better...

I'd be willing to bet that with your customer service, very few people that fail their first kit don't make at least one more. Of course, when the second one works right they keep on going. Steve

Would be interesting to see what others are making. And it may motivate some to try a wine that they would not normally look at if others think it's great. Steve

I just purchased the Portuguese floor corker and will be using it to cork my nxt batch by the weekend. I had been using the double lever hand corker and was left with indents that I didn't like and corks not fully seated. As I will be giving away 1/3 to 1/2 of the bottles I want them to look...

I have a 2.5 gallon icing bucket that I use to store my k-meta in. I can dip almost all my small items in it then I siphon some off into my larger containers, have to sanitize my hoses too. Once I'm done there I just dump back into the bucket for next time. I keep a cheapy garden sprayer from...

Basically, with K-meta, a little will go a long way. I keep about a gallon or two mixed at all times. Small items can be dipped in, larger ones sprayed if you have a spray bottle. For your carboys and primary, just dump some in, swish it about then back in your storage container. You can reuse...

I think the biggest contribution to the high ABV was my high starting SG, though without using a high tolerance yeast it would have stopped on it's own. There is some raspberry flavor in there, that is what I was going for, and the color is just beautiful. I think the next time I do a batch I'll...

Tasted a little today and it is definately a bit hot. When I first smelled it all I could smell was the alcohol and the same with the taste, let some sit and breath for a few minutes and I could smell and taste the berries then. I think I'm going to pick up some wine conditioner while I'm in...