feeroz Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 what is the best way to learn how to distill your favorite alcohols? is there a specialized school? do you need to find a mentor? learn by first working at an operating distillery? reading up on distillation? experimenting in your own backyard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike@DIS Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I would say yes to all your options listed. Get as much info as possible whether from reading, visiting other distillers, going to classes, researching web sites (this forum is excellent, by the way) or any other way you can get yourself up to speed. THEN try the experimentation after you've been properly licensed. It takes time, patience, and determination, but it's also very fun and interesting. Good luck with your journey. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feeroz Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 thanks mike. i noticed that you're from new york state as well. do you know of any places in the state that offer some sort of formal training in a classroom setting or any distillers that apprentice would-be distillers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike@DIS Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I do know that there is a "Chillin' and Disitllin' " class coming up in Novermber at Delalware Phoenix Distillery in Walton, NY. It's the week of Novermber 8th. I've heard some very good things about Cheryl. Where are you in New York? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feeroz Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 i'm in NYC, and i just looked up chillin' and distillin' at delaware phoenix distillery. $500 is pretty steep though, considering lodging and meals aren't included. it looks like a lot of fun though, and i'm sure the people you get the opportunity to meet are really cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike@DIS Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Patience is the key Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palousespirits Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Actually, if you look it's really cheap once you compare with other hands on courses. I would read up on homedistiller.org and/or practice in your backyard. All the distillers that I know that are worth their salt learned by building or purchasing a small still and learning in their backyards just for the simple fact that it's the cheapest way to get distilling time in. It's hard to make good whiskey if you haven't taken the time to make gawd aweful rot gut whiskey and then progressed from there. There are legal implications if you don't go about it in a smart manner though. I learned a lot, though, by reading how home distillers work on up to actually paying to take a class at a production distillery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feeroz Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share Posted October 3, 2012 i'll check out the home distiller website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Forester Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Feeroz- go visit some of the distilleries in NYC. There are around ten in Brooklyn alone. I reccomend you call and chat with the guys at the New York Distilling Company. They do tours and tastings twice a day. You can tell Allen Katz I mentioned that he speak to you. He may let you do an internship. http://nydistilling.com/the-team/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feeroz Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 thanks for the advice jonathan. i've visited and toured new york distilling company and drank at the shanty before. it was definitely a cool experience. i'll send them an email asking whether i can intern there. Feeroz- go visit some of the distilleries in NYC. There are around ten in Brooklyn alone. I reccomend you call and chat with the guys at the New York Distilling Company. They do tours and tastings twice a day. You can tell Allen Katz I mentioned that he speak to you. He may let you do an internship. http://nydistilling.com/the-team/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artisan Still Design Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Artisan Distilling Forums (no relation to Artisan Still Design) seem to be a bit of a cross over point of hobbiests to professionals. the folks there seem to be very interested in the craft more so than making Hooch. I recognize many people here who were/are over there. While ADI does not endorse unlicensed distilling, they do acknowledge its existence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonshineJane73 Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 I would say watch LOTS of Youtube videos, especially if you're a visual learner. Also, nothing beats experience in the brewing world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 Also consider joining us for a week long workshop. www.artisancraftdistilling.com Our next workshop is September 16-20. Cheers Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mendodistilling Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 I'd have to agree that understanding how to ferment materials properly is a major key. Lots of things can be learned from just making beer and wine. See the process. Distilling as my German friends say is simply just boiling water. there are special steps with certain materials that have to be understood, like temperatures to cook grains to soften proteins and make sugars available, with fruit, pectins need to be broken down to make proper fruit wines if they have pectin. Certain or most ferments benefit from nutrients, the yeast need it, not the yeast. Siebel institute is a good school, what they won't teach you, if you still have questions, they are more than willing to help you find answers to the questions during or after class has ended. Very nice group. There are numerous schools now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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