Hi,
I have been in the business planning phase of a micro-distillery start-up on the East Coast; but I think I have reached a no go decision. I am going to go at it another couple of angles before declaring total no-go.
My plan was to forgo initial capital of fermentation equipment and work with local microbreweries to create washes for me. The ball park estimates per gallon that I have been given shot my plan apart.
Are there any other distillers out their that are trying to synergize with micro-breweries, and if so would you be willing to share ballpark wash prices you are paying?
Additionally, I was trying to go the local route and purchase ingredients that can be obtained reagionally if not locally, but these kinds of suppliers are hard to find. Any suggestions for lists of grain malters? I really do not want to malt my own, but I suppose it is an option.
Additionaly, there appears to be scare reasearch on interactions with alcohol aging in wood. Does anyone know of any solid/accessible reasearch? Also, I know the practice is to toss out a portion of the foreshots, but if the foreshots are the most volatile, wouldn't the angels share take them first and therefore it not be important to toss out?
Sorry for the rambling, and thanks for any advice,
Peace.