New brissy member

by **Dr rum** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 3:34 pm

Hello all,
New member from brisbane, been distilling for the last 12 years but only started on the real stuff in the last 12 months.
Got a 4"' 2 plated tower with an electric element, mostly keen on rum at the moment but hoping to move into whisky's when I can free up some cash to do proper all grains.
Will likely do an oak aged mead at some point due to the beekeeping,
Other wise also a keen, but not currently practising aquaponics enthusiast so have a few hobbies up the sleeve,
Normally a serial lurker, but will pipe up if I have anything interesting to say
Thanks for all the good info, Nick

by **tipsy** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 3:51 pm

Welcome :handgestures-thumbupleft:

by **Smbjk** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 4:05 pm

Welcome mate :handgestures-thumbupleft: good to see another brisbaneite :D love to see a pic of your piece

by **Bushy** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 5:02 pm

Hey Dr Rum
Welcome. We'll listen to ya even if you don't have anything to say. Bit like with........with.......oh never mind.
Enjoy yrself

by **Dominator** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 6:13 pm

G'day mate.

by **Kimbo** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 6:20 pm

:greetings-waveyellow: Welcome to the forum Dr Rum :greetings-waveyellow:

by **BackyardBrewer** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 7:33 pm

Welcome mate - oak aged mead? Yeah I'd try that:-)

by **Sam.** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 9:05 pm

Welcome aboard :handgestures-thumbupleft:

by **crow** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 9:32 pm

welcome here, bee keeper hey :think: maybe you could make some braggot whiskey, its kind of a mead based beer using honey and barely malt
Here's one recipe but for distilling leave out the hops
Makes 5 gallons (18.93 L)
8 lbs. pale ale malt, crushed
2 lbs. Vienna malt, crushed
1 lb. dextrin malt, crushed
Not wanted for distilling purposes
3 oz. Cascade hops (25 IBU) 60 min.
1 oz. Cascade hops (8 IBU) 30 min.
1 0z. Cascade hops, 2 min
9 lbs. honey-one with a big aroma. or a blend of several varietes
2 tsp. yeast energizer
2 tsp. yeast nutrient
10 g Lalvin D-47 yeast, rehydrated
. OG: 1.120
. FG 1.018
I use an infusion mash. Mash in grains with 11 quarts water at 180 F, hold at about 146 F, rest 30 minutes, test for starch conversion. Heat to 165 F to mash out. Sparge with 3.5 gallons at 185 F. Sparge directly onto bittering hops in boil kettle. Boil 60 min, adding hops as scheduled. After 60 min, cut heat, add yeast energizer and nutrient, honey. and stir. Chill to 70 F, transfer to fermenter, aerate vigorously, pitch yeast.
Extract Alternative Method
Those seeking to use extracy can substitute 6 pounds of amber DME, add water to 5 gals, and proceed with the boil.
Make sure you use a fermenter with plenty of head space. Bottle with 3/4 cup of corn sugar or ked and carb. Also not wanted for distilling

by **Dr rum** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 9:47 pm

Sounds like an interesting recipe, might just give it a go, but will use the DME method for the first one and then maybe have a second go once I am into all grain properly, if a dark honey is the best the winter harvest will be the go,

Thanks for the welcomes all,
Nick

by **crow** » Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:40 pm

The other thing I was going to mention is you listed only 2 plates, that seems light on for single runs