Recent content by lockdude

Leave it in the primary until it quits so it will settle out.The low temps wont hurt it at all,but just makes it ferment slowly.

I usually leave it in the primary for 4-5 days after it quits,to condition it a bit,then rack it into my bottling bucket,and let it settle for a day before adding the priming sugar so I dont get hardly any yeast on the bottom of the bottles.If you kept everything real clean,and store your beer...

Also look out when adding hops.I usually turn it down first.

The big pot is a blessing.It will keep you from making a big mess!{boilover}I have a 60 quart and do 5-6 gallon batches in it.I put a drain valve,false bottom,and a big thermometer in mine.

I have thought about opening a small shop in a property that I own so the overhead wont kill me,but I already have 1 buisness.I may do it when I retire.It would be nice to start a club,and even offer some beginner winemaking classes.It would be fun,and good for buisness. I will stick with...

Im doing the same.Its the last 20 pounds of elderberrys from this year,and I want to be careful to make a really big wine that will have to age for at least 12-18 months before trying.Im just getting into last years elderberry wine.Its good,but could be heavier on the flavor.I made 2 batches...

I am thinking of making the same.What quanitys did you use?I still have 20 pounds of elderberrys,but Im going to have to buy the blackberrys. Im thinking about 12 or 18 pounds of blackberrys,and about 8-10 pounds of elderberrys.Does that sound like too much?

Any updates?

Did you say peach? The only way to make a good 15% wine is to use a bunch of fruit,so you have lots,and lots of flavor.If its peach,It will be harsh tasting till it ages for a year.Dont try to cover the dryness with sugar because once it mellows,it will be too sweet.I would backsweeten about 7...

Im getting very thirsty!!!Nice looking collection!

The old orchard is a blend,and not 100% cranberry,but does make a good wine.It has some apple,black currant,cranberry,and aronia berry{what ever that is?}I plan on getting fresh cranberrys on sale right after christmas,and freezing them for future use.I havent done one from fresh fruit yet.I...

Ive been making it with old orchard frozen cranberry from walmart,and really like it.Heres the recipe. For 1 gallon 4 cans of O.O.frozen cranberry 1/2 cup of sugar{to raise SG to 1085} 1 tsp tartaric acid 1/4 tsp of tannin 1 tsp pectic enzyme 1 pack of RC-212 I backsweetened it with more...

I am allergic,and dont use sulfites at all.I have always been that way. It could be that the wine you drank was oversulfited,but who knows for sure.It makes it hard for me to breathe,and lasts for a long time.I can also taste it in my mouth all day long.It also gives me a headache.I mostly just...

I would use a different yeast.I have been using RC-212 on cranberry and like it.Coates de blanc gives a good fruit flavor,and 1122 works good on these also.The 1118 is ok,but the ones I listed will make the wine more flavorful.

It would also help to freeze the cranberrys first.