New brew experiments

[NS Gearhead]

Well it's been two weeks and although they're still bubbling a little bit, I've decided to take step #2. Basically I "racked" them getting rid of most of the sediment and solids (raisins & cinnamon sticks). Started by siphoning the first into a steril bucket, cleaned that jug, siphoned the next into that one and so on until I siphoned the bucket into the last jug.

Before;


The cranberry went nuts after I added the yeast nutrients and foamed up bad.


The V8 floaties looked nasty




After adding a teaspoon of potassium sorbate to each to stop any remaining fermentation, and 1/4 pack to each of the first stage of a two stage clarifier they're nestled in the pantry waiting for the 2nd stage in 24hrs.

 

[NS Gearhead]

strawberry banana; 10.5%
cranberry; 7%
Cider; 9.5%
Apple Juice; 9.6%

Interesting eh!? They all got the same amount of sugar and yeast. Sat in the same room at the same temp.

 

[MacLawn]

Not time to taste them yet, eh?

 

[NS Gearhead]

I suppose I could have, but I never do before it's completely done and chilled.

 

[Beltman60]

if you weren't so darn far I'd say we need to have a tasting party to help you out where you went wrong or right :laughing:

 

[MacLawn]

if you weren't so darn far I'd say we need to have a tasting party to help you out where you went wrong or right :laughing:

Good idea! And, I'm a teetotaler! But, I'd try old Gearhaid's homemade stuff.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Filtered and bottled today!





also made 4lbs of jerky while I was at it



Well, they're all not bad... but the cranberry's by far the best! They're all kind of bitter which tells me next time I'll use 3 cups of sugar. This'll give me closer to the wine yeast's max of 12% and sweeten it some. Cheers!

 

[NS Gearhead]

Man that jerky pic looks terrible. It's must just be the light. It was my first time doing them like this as opposed to laying them on the rack. I'm not thrilled with the results. They didn't cook evenly. Probably because I had touching... Still fantastic though!