Palmetto Coast

I looked into this not too long ago. Here is what I found. I have not contacted any of these yet. There are many types of homogenizers - inline shear mixers ($5000 - $10,000), microfluidizers ($50,000 - $200,000), high pressure homogenizers ($100,000 - $500,000+). For commercial applications, the vendors of the equipment will be able to tell you exactly what their equipment can and cannot do for your specific recipe(s). This link has the theory and how it works: http://www.foodsci.uoguelph.ca/dairyedu/homogenization.html Shear mixer: http://www.silverson.com/USA/Products/inlinemixers.cfm Microfluidizer: www.microfluidscorp.com used to work, but it seems to be an inactive link now. High Pressure Homogenizer: http://www.gowcb.com/products/disperse/homogen.asp Let us know what you discover. Todd

That's one of the problems with using glass in a distillery. It sounds like they were using carboys. Just out of curiosity, what does everyone else use to collect their spirits? If you have tried multiple types of containers, which do you recommend? Todd

In South Carolina, I believe it is $1000 every two years. That changed within the past year, I believe. Previously, it had been $50,000 every two years. One of the local wineries lobbied to change it, as they were sending their product to FL for distillation ($800/two years). TW

I just wanted to let everyone know that the 2009 TTB Expo has been announced. From what I have heard, the 2008 one was great. Very informative. TTB Expo 2009. It will be held June 24 – 26, 2009, back at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, Kentucky, just minutes away from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Here is the link: http://www.ttb.gov/conference/expo09.shtml Did anyone on here go last year? What were your thoughts? Todd

Edward Hamilton from The Ministry of Rum details the following (though not exactly what you are looking for...): "Most rum producers age their rum at 70% to 80% alcohol. A few dilute their spirits to nearly bottle-strength, 40 to 45% alcohol by volume, before putting the barrels away for aging. A lower alcohol content during aging tends to leech slightly lighter esters and phenols from the wooden barrels while a higher alcohol content will attract heavier compounds and associated flavors. Most distilleries age their rum at a higher strength as this requires fewer barrels, but a higher alcohol content also contributes to higher evaporation losses, known as the angel's share."

For those of us that were not able to make it to the TTB Expo 2008, they have a calender of the seminars, complete with downloadable Powerpoint presentations here: http://www.ttb.gov/conference/session.html Obviously, it doesn't convey ALL of the info that you would have gotten from attending, but it still has useful info for those starting or thinking of starting. From everything I heard, it was a very useful event, and I look forward to attending the next one. Has anyone else heard anything about it? Todd

Has anyone come across a reliable source of statistics regarding microdistilleries? How many are there currently? What types are being produced in what quantities? Anything like that? Thanks, Todd

Does anyone have any experience disposing of non-grain waste (specifically rum by-products)? Thanks, Todd