[weazletoe]

   I'm not saying anything is going on here, but if there were some changes even made at "Brewery 'de Weaze", and some whiskey were to be made (un-distilled of course  ) where would a guy such as myself find a good mash recipe?
  And for emphasis, I'm not saying anything fishy is going on here. (yet.  )

[beerocd]

Probably a place that sells coppermoonshinestills might be better able to help you out.

But homedistiller.org is probably the best place to learn about the whole process.

[akr71]

I'd try and get my hands on some Wyeast #4347.

YEAST STRAIN: 4347  |  Eau de Vie™

A very good choice for alcohol tolerance and stuck fermentations. Produces a very clean, dry profile, low ester formation and other volatile aromatics.
Origin: France
Flocculation: Low
Attenuation: NA
Temperature Range: 65-80°F, 18-27°C
Alcohol Tolerance: 21% ABV

Styles:
   Eau de Vie, Grappa/Marc/Bagaceira, Rum, Scotch, Vodka, Whiskey

It'll only get you to ~20% ABV, but you're half way there without any distillation.

[bluesman]

Welcome back Weaz. 

I would go here first.

http://www.distilling.com/

[bonjour]

The distillers I visited while at the Cinci NHC used a very reasonable beer, and they actually call it beer, of 6-7%abv.  so anything should work but I would avoid anything that was fermented too warm (fusels) as I would not want those coming thru in a final product.

We are entering an era where many micros have taken up distillation on a small but professional level.  I suspect that many of them have earlier "undocumented" experience.

Fred

[pinnah]

  What? preparing for Mormonia?...or you are already there.

[denny]

We are entering an era where many micros have taken up distillation on a small but professional level.

Check this out....

http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/sevendays/24368667-35/distilleries-spirits-distilling-dry-fly.csp

[beerocd]

So, in the era of the $10 bottle of beer though, or even trending lower the $11 six pack why bother distilling? I mean professionally - if your beer can sell for eleven dollars a six aren't you potentially losing money even at $40 per 750ml ? Don't get me wrong -I'm all for it, but the math doesn't seem right. I guess you can call it diversification.

[akr71]

So, in the era of the $10 bottle of beer though, or even trending lower the $11 six pack why bother distilling? I mean professionally - if your beer can sell for eleven dollars a six aren't you potentially losing money even at $40 per 750ml ? Don't get me wrong -I'm all for it, but the math doesn't seem right. I guess you can call it diversification.

I would say its about craftsmanship and I would venture to guess that their products are priced similar to other 'top shelf' products.  I think we'd all agree that craft and micros tend to produce higher quality beers, so I would expect their spirits to be of a higher quality too.

Alternately, adding another beer to your lineup may not increase your market share, but adding a non-beer product may.  An untapped market.  I may buy an $11 sixpack a week, but a new beer won't make me buy 2 sixers, but I may grab a bottle of vodka for the wife.  That's just an analogy - I'd gladly grab 2 sixers and the wife (thankfully) only drinks beer. 

[weazletoe]

  For the, the whole idea is just going to be for the fun of doing it. Truth be told, aside from the occasional jack-a-roo, I'm really not even a big fan of distilled beverages. Just so happens, I met an old dude who does it. He told me it's simple, and can actually be done in my kitchen sink with a coil of copper, and tub of ice. I mean, distilling water of course. Nothing else.

[akr71]

You could distill your own white vinegar too.  There may be other practical uses that I can't think of right now 

[weazletoe]

You know, I was just saying to the Miss's the other day......"If we only had a way to make our own white venegar, we could save hundreds a year".   Good call, yet another use for home distilling in addition to my own water. 

[brewboy]

Yeah, anything to save $3-4 dollars for a gallon of it at Wal-Mart. 

[denny]

My LHBS sells these for "essential oils and distilled water"....

http://www.stillspirits.com/

[akr71]

Yeah, anything to save $3-4 dollars for a gallon of it at Wal-Mart. 

Oh yeah, I forgot its only us Canucks that like vinegar on our fries.   and yes, I was joking about distilling vinegar - and a little bit bitter - I just tossed 4 gallons of cider vinegar down the drain instead of bottling 4 gallons of hard cider