New brew experiments

NS Gearhead · Jan 19, 2015

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 · Jan 19, 2015

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 · Jan 19, 2015

Not time to taste them yet, eh?

NS Gearhead · Jan 20, 2015

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

Beltman60 · Jan 20, 2015

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 · Jan 20, 2015

Beltman60 said:
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 · Jan 26, 2015

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 · Jan 27, 2015

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!