Palmetto Coast

Another quick update: AO Wilson in Canada have these pumps for $97 AND replacement parts. GW Kent possibly has these parts as well, but you can not return this part to GW Kent if it is the wrong size. Thanks to all! Todd

Does anyone have an extra impeller for an Enoitalia Euro-50 pump that they can overnight us? We'll pay + shipping costs. We have been waiting for 8 days for our order. Received confirmation that the order was placed 8 days ago. Our account was never charged and we have not received confirmation of it shipping. Does anyone have any idea how we can get this $130 part rather than buying a new $2000+ pump?

Thanks Shawn. We are awaiting proper tenders before we will know exact sizes. It seems they may go down to 500ml. I'll check in when we are sure. Todd

Hey Michael, We have the Enoitalia Flexible Impeller Pump Euro50. It is a 9 fin impeller measuring 4.63 x 3.17. Would love an alternate source other than St. Pats. 'Nuff said. Todd

Just an update. St. Pats does still have some impellers and we've ordered some. Thanks! Todd

We have an impeller pump from St. Pats and need a replacement impeller. Just noticed that they discontinued their pumps. Does anyone have a good source for replacements? Thanks, Todd

Thanks for all the recommendations! Lenny, I think we may make it to your neck of the woods. I would love to get in to see your shop. I really need to get off my bottom and look at a map to see how close everything is. Todd

I had a similar question to ask. What type of packaging do you use when shipping? For instance, if we were shipping samples to a competition or a distributor. I've ordered wine and spirits online and seen the cardboard type holder, styrofoam and the inflatable bags. Just curious what others prefer and if you've found a good supplier of the materials. I've been looking at the inflatable ones recently, as the don't add a lot of weight to the packaging. Thanks, Todd

I'd love to visit Todd at Leopold Bros. I had heard they don't offer tours. How about it Todd? Congrats on moving forward with "the Dream." I haven't personally been to Downslope, you must have met my partner, Johnny. Maybe I will try to swing by. It looks like it might be on the way to Colorado Springs. Thanks for the advice. Todd

Hi Folks, I'm heading out west to Colorado for a family vacation and was hoping to stop by a couple distilleries for a tour. It will be a family vacation, so I won't be able to take up too much time. I was hoping for some help on where to go. We are flying into Denver and driving/staying in Colorado Springs. I've got a few hours to kill in Denver, so we were hoping to swing by a distillery near a nice lunch spot. Any suggestions? I'll have the possibility of a more in depth tour in Colorado Springs, as I might be able to get out with the brother in law. Thanks for your help. Hope to see some of you soon. Todd

Hey Folks, Didn't see it posted, but another excise bill has been brought to the table in the House. I know it is frustrating and you've all done this before, but please contact your Congressmen and Senators. Believe it or not they know each other and talk. The more folks that are aware, the better chance we have. http://thehill.com/regulation/243078-house-bill-would-make-vodka-whiskey-and-rum-cheaper Here is the link that I found. Thanks, Todd

We are seeking glass suppliers for 700ml bottles for export. Would like to be able to purchase in pallets rather than containers. Curious who others are using. Thanks, Todd Striped Pig Distillery

Can you tell me any more about the machine? Is there a site to look at one? are there any references? Thanks, Todd

We are trying to purchase mixto/tequila in 330 gallon totes for a client producing an RTD. Does anyone have any laying around that they are willing to sell? Do you know of anyone that we can purchase it from? Is this still something that is able to be done? I heard rumors that it now had to be purchased in tankers. Thanks for any help, Todd Weiss Striped Pig Distillery

We have a program with a local University, in which they refer interns to us. They recently referred a student to us that was under 21. That brings up some problems legally here. He is from Brazil and legal to drink there (not that it matters). Thoughts on how or if we could utilize him? Can't really do distilling, as he would have to taste. Not sure we could use him for sales, since he won't be able to adequately describe the taste. He is a Chem. major at the college and has access to a gas chromatography lab. Thanks, Todd

I am doing a preliminary check looking for a used ROPP capper. Not a definite purchase yet, but a strong possibility. Do you have an old one laying around? Does anyone have any good or bad experiences with different makes/models? Thanks for your input. Todd Weiss Striped Pig Distillery

Sounds great Jeff! When can you have it done?

Just a clarification on the serial number requirements. Your equipment may not come with a serial number on it, depending on the manufacturer (such as if you made it yourself). You may create a serial number and permanently apply it to the equipment. How? We got stickers from Lowes. It's been a while, but I believe you need serial numbers for all of your equipment that produces, processes and stores alcohol. You need this for your daily records so you can track product moving between tanks. Todd

We just got some disconcerting news recently. Check out the link from the Charleston Regional Business Journal http://charlestonbusiness.com/news/51949-distillery-rsquo-s-pig-mascot-banned-from-2nd-sunday-on-king-street Todd Weiss Striped Pig Distillery Charleston, SC

We are trying to get others' experience with brokers in the Eastern and Southern regions. We are looking specifically at VA/DC, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, NY, Illinois and Massachusetts. Brokers covering multiple states is a plus. We are in the preliminary stages, so I'm looking to build up a short list and identify good from bad. I realize one person's experience doesn't make or break, but if I see a pattern it might confirm. If you don't feel comfortable posting a less than stellar review on the forum, feel free to DM me. Thanks! Todd Weiss Striped Pig Distillery

We have a 1mil btu steam boiler. Cost for the boiler was ~$17k. I runs our 600g mash tank, 300g still and 100g still. Granted when they are all 3 running, heat-up takes a bit longer, but it still works well. We actually use a Rinnai hot water heater to fill the mash tank for cooking. Takes about an hour to fill, then 30 min more to get up to temp. I will say, expect the piping and overall installation of the boiler to cost as much as the boiler itself. Depends on the piping, water lines, distance, and other bells and whistles you might want. My advice, specify what you need, find someone that knows what they are doing and let them do it. Don't keep changing your specs. That will run you a LOT more (I know, I have a partner that liked to be very involved). I spoke with a bunch of manufacturers before we bought our boiler. Most said, "Let me know when you figure out what size you need." One said, "Let me help you figure out what size you need." We went with the latter. Hope this helps. Todd Weiss Striped Pig Distillery

I agree with most of the comments here. However, let's look at a few deciding factors It seems that your predictions are looking at 12 bottles/cs. Many distributors seriously suggest (require) 6 bottle cases from us smaller folks. I'm not saying you can't do 4800 bottles per year, just make sure which way your distributor wants those bottles packaged. There will probably be a broken case fee (basically, where they open your cases and repack into a mixed case), especially if you go 12/cs. Are your bottles shipped in cases that you can re-use or are they shipped bulk? How many bottles per pallet? We use two different bottles, both shipped in cases. On comes 6/cs, the other comes 12/cs. We have to have new cases made for our 12/cs bottles. I'm getting wordy here. If you are worried about space, buying 20,000 bottles doesn't make sense. Your 4800 bottles is roughly 4 pallets. If you have limited space and funds, I would suggest getting 2 pallets. Reorder when you use an entire pallet. That way you never run out. You generally get reduced shipping charges at 3 pallets, though. In fact, the amount we saved shipping 3 together rather than in 2 orders, was equal to the price of a pallet of bottles. Just my thoughts. Todd

Another quick question re: Canada.... They say the excise tax is "CAD$11.69/liter of pure alcohol (pure spirits)." Does anyone know what proof Canada figures as pure alcohol? Thanks, Todd

All barrels have been sold. Todd

This question is for anyone exporting, in general. We are looking at exporting to Canada and were curious about the types of shipping used. Does FOB seem to be the preferred method? Does anyone have experience with any of the other types (FCA, FAS, CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAT, DAP, DDP)? Can you elaborate on which seems to be best for our type of export business and why? Thanks, Todd Weiss Striped Pig Distillery