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Author Topic: First timer. need a little clarification  (Read 1050 times)

Offline jla1290

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First timer. need a little clarification
« on: October 20, 2014, 07:49:31 am »
Hey all. IV been reading a lot of fourms from here and other homebrewers sites an finally decided I'm to the point where I need to ask some of my own questions for better clarification on the process of fermenting and such.

OK so iv started my first 5 gallon sugar mash about 3 days ago. It seemed to start off good alot of work was being done inside my fermenter. Well I decided I'd check it out today and has a very strong sour smell and very little work being done almost like if I was simmering a pot on the stove. Bubbles but very small. No foam or anything on top. And has a very sweet taste even tho it smells really sour. IV also noticed these oil bubbles floating on top. Well what I'm assuming to be oil. I'm using a 5 gallon jug with a balloon on it. Went thru 3 balloons so far so this will be changed next go around. And I say a 5 gal mash but it's really like 4.7 or so. Does my fermentation seem to be going norm. The mash is a clearish yellow.
Thank you for you help and advice in advanced.
I have about 15 pounds of sugar and 10 grams of bread yeast in the mash
« Last Edit: October 20, 2014, 08:14:53 am by jla1290 »

Offline dmtaylor

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Re: First timer. need a little clarification
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2014, 08:28:07 am »
I'm not sure we have a lot of folks on this forum experienced in the manufacture of hooch whiskey.  Maybe a few.  Your needs might be better served elsewhere.  Sorry I can't be of more help personally as I've never done this myself.
Dave

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Offline jla1290

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Re: First timer. need a little clarification
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2014, 08:35:42 am »
Ok. Thank you for your feed back

Offline a10t2

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Re: First timer. need a little clarification
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2014, 10:15:00 am »
Can you clarify what a sugar mash is? Just sugar and water, or did you mash some cereal grain? Sugar contains no micro-nutrients, so without a comprehensive yeast nutrient the fermentation might be nutrient-limited. Either way, 15 lb of sugar in 4.7 gal is *very* high gravity - about 37°P. Most washes for distillation are in the 5-15% ABV range, maybe 25°P at most.

Bread yeast isn't exactly noted for its alcohol tolerance, so even with everything else going for you, this wouldn't get to the ~27% ABV attenuation limit. Probably wouldn't even with a distiller's yeast.
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Offline jla1290

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Re: First timer. need a little clarification
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2014, 10:40:34 am »
I used sugar, yeast, and I used a multi vitamin for nutrients.  And yeah with bread yeast it will only reach 18% if I remember correctly.
Also I said all the ball on popped that's was wrong the last balloon got a hole melted thru it pretty much after a day
« Last Edit: October 20, 2014, 10:43:52 am by jla1290 »