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RPG

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Everything posted by RPG

  1. Hello All! I am looking for information on distillery site requirements (and hopefully not make mistakes others have made). Stuff like square footage, ceiling height, size of access way, vents, type of flooring etc. Appreciate any help ... RPG
  2. Thanks KS. A consultant will be good but in the first instance I want to gain my own personal experience and context. This will happen in one of two ways, either I work in a distillery or take a hands on course that teaches you brick on brick. once I have knowledge, I'll be able to draw up a meaningful biz plan and probably engage a consultant to help sharpen the pencil. BTW - if a distiller in the tri state area (NY, NJ or CT) is looking to hire help please ping me. I am interested. I have solid academic (state of the art) grounding in distilling but very limited practical experience. As a side, significant business experience so I can help in other areas.
  3. Full disclosure - While I know the basics of distillation at a micro scale, I have no practical experience when it comes to a commercial distillery. I lack brick and mortar knowledge, equipment, process flow etc etc. Does anyone have ideas on how to get this knowledge (other than working in a distillery)? I'm told moonshine U's 6-day distiller course does a good job. it is pricy so want to make sure it is what the doctor ordered. Appreciate thoughts.
  4. Full disclosure - While I know the basics of distillation at a micro scale, I have no practical experience when it comes to a commercial distillery. I lack brick and mortar knowledge, equipment, process flow etc etc. Does anyone have ideas on how to get this knowledge (other than working in a distillery)? I'm told moonshine U's 6-day distiller course does a good job. it is pricy so want to make sure it is what the doctor ordered. Appreciate thoughts.
  5. RPG

    Rye Oh Rye!

    Column still with 5 plates (copper plates). 1 : 1.5 grist : liquor ratio (little higher due to high rye and corn content). Distilled water. Hammer mill coarse (hence no screening - but high fine-flour fraction). 1.3% ash content in rye (on the label - I didn't analyze). Commodity; winter grazer 70 rye; commodity yellow dent #2 corn; soft winter wheat. pH circa 5.4 maintained throughout mashing to fermentation.
  6. I am very interested in course(s) that teach sensory profiling of distilled spirits. Any leads will be greatly appreciated. Thank you
  7. RPG

    Rye Oh Rye!

    Noted! Many thanks!
  8. RPG

    Rye Oh Rye!

    Take two: Followed most of the directions from this string except pitching temp as I had mashed before kleclerc77's input (apologies kleclerc77). a) similar mash bill - 60% rye; 27% corn and 13% 2-row malt (barley); b) Cooked corn at 185°F for 45 minutes; then Rye and malt at at 165°F for 45 minutes; added exogenous alpha amylase at 150°F. c) unlike previous time, I decided not to filter the wort rather went for grain-in fermentation. d) SG came out to 1.065. Cooled wort to 98F (sorry kleclerc77) and pitched red star dady yeast. Also added glucoamylase. observed good bubbles. Day 6 of fermentation a) observed much lighter wash with thick slurry at the bottom. Also noticed froth marks all over the carboy. b) I did filter the wash ... needed to agitate with a large spoon due to high viscosity. c) FG on hydrometer came out to 1.000 indicating 100% attenuation; 7.88% abv wash. However refractometer told a different story - FG 1.025 indicating 57% attenuation with 4.57% abv. Point to make - in all my prior readings, hydrometer and refractometer have come in close (delta of .05). This was a material difference. Also want to point out that from approx. 2 gallon wort, port filtration, I probably ended up with a little over a gallon of wash (possibly due to grain in). Sincere appreciation to everyone on this post. thank you
  9. Dear All, are there any 'templates' or 'blue prints' of a business plan for a distillery? I am embarking on writing one and would like to ensure that I am capturing as much distillery-specific features as I can (ones that are not visible to the naked eye as they say). For a non practitioner, this will be a terrific learning experience. I also want this to be wedded in reality. Any guidance or direction will be very much appreciated.
  10. RPG

    Scorching

    Noted! Makes sense. Thank you.
  11. RPG

    Scorching

    No agitation. Small 5G still.
  12. RPG

    Scorching

    Dear all, Question: Every time I distill a 'thick' wash, I end up scorching the bottom of my stainless steel pot!! I use induction burner. There are no heating or protruding elements in my pot. Not even doing all grain-in distillation (which frankly I'd love to do). Also I introduce heat gradually. A friend of mine told me that he distills grain-in wash and never scorches his (copper) pot. So is this a stainless steel v copper issue? Appreciate some thoughts.
  13. RPG

    Rye Oh Rye!

    Understood! Many thanks my friend
  14. RPG

    Rye Oh Rye!

    37C is what I have been using. 20 C was the ambient fermentation temperature. Point on high pitch temp noted! Thank you
  15. Any active distilleries in NY / NJ / CT / PA area with excess capacity interested in discussing possible contract (white label) production and / or other potential collaboration? I place high value on ethics and integrity. I am passionate and well resourced with a commitment to this industry. Looking for like-minded teams with similar values.
  16. Adding my two cents for those looking to jump into the proverbial fire with both feet … it is easier (or harder, depending on your luck) if this venture is launched with partners, with complementing skills, than as a solo stint. Reasons are obvious, shared roles and responsibilities; possibly faster execution and, in my opinion the most important element, counter governance of limited means. Then again, for bad partners, the opposite is true.
  17. Have you landed? I'd love to chat and learn from your experience or see how we can collaborate if you haven't. Best
  18. RPG

    Rye Oh Rye!

    You're right on many fronts I feel. I anticipated high β-glucan, and consequent viscosity, so added boiled rice hulls. You're also correct about the wash being too thick and slimly (dense) which is largely due to unfinished business with starch conversion. Not entirely convinced gelatinization was an issue because I did get the grist moisture level up (evidenced by a high OG), which unfortunately only told half the story ie., starches + fermentable sugars. I will bare in mind the longer rest in the future. Distillate yield was anemic I'd say on a ~2.75 gallon wash, I managed 0.2 gallons in my strip run. Lots of learning from this forum! a) DP for individual mash calculations was news to me! b) Feel gluco-amylase might help with β-glucanase deficiency due to small malt adjunct. I'm told gluco-amylase continues to convert well into fermentation (like limit dextrinase). Team, many thanks!!
  19. RPG

    Rye Oh Rye!

    on the lower side, I'd say in the lower side ~ 20°C or 69°C. I'll make a note of seasonality associated with rye and bourbon. Thank you
  20. RPG

    Rye Oh Rye!

    Many thanks! very helpful!
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