alcotec spirit kit

[crafty john]

Hi all
Has anyone brewed Hambleton Bard's spirit base kit? I got one the other day and Im just interested to hear if anyone has given them a go, any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated

Cheers Guys

[RatboyOllie]

yep, i have and it couldnt be easier in all honesty, there are no real tips to give as far as i am aware apart from the usual - sanatise everything that comes into contact with the brew, keep at a constant temperature and siphon off the yeast base once its fermented out. If you dont keep the temp steady then it wont achieve the higher alcohol % so just try and keep it at the required temp really.

what ya got planned for it?

[mattfuzzy]

i got the blueberry one last year, lovely flavour, but because its "brewed" you get the crappy homebrew taste (if you dont yet know what this is, brew sugar water) iv come to accept that if you want alcopops or shot kits, use something like vodka with juice or lace something with sugar like the commercial places do, ofcorse, itd be much easier if distilling wasnt illegal in the uk, but it is so buying cheap vodkas the next best thing

more on the blueberry kit, tastes like a 15% blueberry "wine" just a bit worse, ofcorse mine mostly got drunk by a family member who decided to help themselves to it

can you buy lockable kegs/bottles?

[crafty john]

yep, i have and it couldnt be easier in all honesty, there are no real tips to give as far as i am aware apart from the usual - sanatise everything that comes into contact with the brew, keep at a constant temperature and siphon off the yeast base once its fermented out. If you dont keep the temp steady then it wont achieve the higher alcohol % so just try and keep it at the required temp really.

what ya got planned for it?

I bought some flavourings from mt local HBS, Bombay saphire and malt whiskey. I tried a sample that my HB man had made and distilled to 40% and it was really nice, he has a still that is legal for sale for £120 or so.

[crafty john]

i got the blueberry one last year, lovely flavour, but because its "brewed" you get the crappy homebrew taste (if you dont yet know what this is, brew sugar water) iv come to accept that if you want alcopops or shot kits, use something like vodka with juice or lace something with sugar like the commercial places do, ofcorse, itd be much easier if distilling wasnt illegal in the uk, but it is so buying cheap vodkas the next best thing

more on the blueberry kit, tastes like a 15% blueberry "wine" just a bit worse, ofcorse mine mostly got drunk by a family member who decided to help themselves to it

can you buy lockable kegs/bottles?

Distilling is legal in the UK as long as you are making 100% pure ethanol to run your car on it's when you dilute to 40% and drink it that it becomes illeagal My local HBS has a still on display in the window . I can see a debate starting :

[Mitchamitri]

That crappy homebrew taste is probably a) hygiene b) the wrong yeast c) crap tate and lyle sugar. My "Crappy homebrews" have a better taste than shop bought stuff, but I do know what you mean - there are so many variables.........

[mattfuzzy]

i was under the impression that distilling alcohol for human consumption is illegal in the uk, and isnt the type of alcohol used for running cars kinda poisonious to us even if it is diluted? but as far as distilling car fuel i havent a clue

you can buy the easystill and smartstill which are as far as i know the same product (modified water distillers from europe) and last time i checked here you couldnt even mention the word "distill" as this is a homebrewing forum.

think its the refined sugar that leaves the homebrew taste, as you dont really get it in beer or lager brews unless the kits been standing around for a year or so.

[crafty john]

i was under the impression that distilling alcohol for human consumption is illegal in the uk, and isnt the type of alcohol used for running cars kinda poisonious to us even if it is diluted? but as far as distilling car fuel i havent a clue

you can buy the easystill and smartstill which are as far as i know the same product (modified water distillers from europe) and last time i checked here you couldnt even mention the word "distill" as this is a homebrewing forum.

think its the refined sugar that leaves the homebrew taste, as you dont really get it in beer or lager brews unless the kits been standing around for a year or so.

I won't mention the D word again