HBD

Thank you Ralph. Neato information for the newer start-ups.

Bob, That's a good idea. I've been thinking about doing coasters for a while now, but I haven't broken into the bar/restaurant scene yet. Around here, there's not enough local support for the micro scene, especially for a Asian rice based product no one has ever heard about. Send me a few of your autographed coasters. Rinna

Although I don't update it as much as some of you, here is ours. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hawj-Brothers-Distillery/87001184978?ref=ts I added all of you. And yes, as Brad said, I'm quite jealous of the fan count. Rinna

I'm interested in that too. But I'm actually bringing it to a boil/cook and not mashing. Will it do that? Couldn't find the Dynamic Alambic site. Rinna

I've been dumping the spent grains into 55 gal barrels. I leave it outside as I don't have to worry about freezing. If I don't already have someone picking it up, CRAIGSLIST is awesome. Post it up, you'll get about twenty hits for the grain every time.

Bill told me about Mondo Liquor dot com once. I've seen logos here and there. I had trouble going to the actual site, I think it's 'This Next' now. Does anyone have the contact info for a Mondo Liquor rep? Hoping to get online as I've received a few requests. Rinna

Really, who are you getting your bonds through. We are using Balcos, not paying that low a year, but they have gone above and beyond when we needed them.

Bill are you reading this?

Every batch is done with a new batch of yeast. Started distilling the same tank after a full day of just doing water. The jalapeno went away yesterday. I'm thinking it was the blown heating elements but still not sure. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Wish I would've known about this sooner. Can we add an upcoming events section to this forum specifically for stuff like this? Rinna

No it doesn't, but I take off the condenser and flush it with Sterox, rinse then soak in citric acid and rinse again.

We are distilling Baijiu and Asian spirit. Ingredients are sweet rice, our own yeast, amylase and water. I wouldn't think it would be the ingredients, because nothing in the process has changed since development through our third batch.

I'm having a problem. I'm working on my fourth batch. Been doing everything from mashing, fermenting & distilling the same. Developmemt, first, second and the beginning of the third batch was all good. The tail end of my third batch tasted like putting ten jalapeno's in your mouth. I cleaned out the still prior to my fourth batch. When I did so, I found that four heating elements (electric still) had burst. I figured that must be the cause of the jalapeno spirits. I replaced all of the heating elements, cleaned the still out using Sterox, water rinse, soaked it in citric acid, water rinse. Ran the still with water. Started my fourth batch today and still have jalapeno liquor. This is horrible. Don't know what else to do but tear apart the still and scrub. Any advise and have any of you ran into this before?

Any professional photographer worth their salt would probably do. You're a little far, but I used a guy from Marcomm Media (CA). Just pitch the idea of what you want to some local pro photographers.

When I do organic labels, who do I send the label to to certify it? Who do you guys use? This is what I got from TTB: "As of 05/23/2005, this application must be accompanied by a USDA-accredited certifying agent’s (ACA) approval of the organic alcohol beverage labels prior to submission to TTB. The ACA Preview must show actual images of the labels along with a stamp or signature of the ACA. Documentation showing the certifying agent's review and approval must accompany EVERY request for label approval submitted to TTB. For Wine 27 CFR §4.101 applies. For D/S 27 CFR 5.71 applies"

Thanks. Much appreciated.

I'm in California. There is a local Beer and Wine Fest that's coming up. ABC said that I am NOT allowed to taste at the event because it is open to the public. You must have a ticket to get in, but there is only 1000 tickets. Maybe I'm not understanding this or there's a loophole somewhere, wasn't the recent Brandy Conference open to the public. Advice anyone?

For me, it lasted about 20 minutes. They basically went over the questions on the app, asked about production, how many proof gallons expected to be warehoused or in transit... can't recall anything else though I'm sure there were other things. Don't be nervous, it shouldn't be hard.

Google search "heat shrink capsules" or if you have the ADI Directory, look under packaging. Is that what you were asking for?

Well, let's see if I can remember our time lines without my docs in front of me. We started pondering the idea of a distillery in early 2007, did a lot of serious research. I had past distilling knowledge learned from my parents (since I was about 3 feet tall) and everything I learned after that made a lot of sense from what the elders had been teaching me. I drew up a business plan and thought it looked good. Then it became an ongoing evolving business plan and we've learned to make it fit and evolve with any situation (I think? We'll see). We incorporated in Feb 2008 and started ordering equipment until both my brother and my garage were full. In between, we met with a lot of city people who had no idea of what to make of me. But as I had come off as knowledgeable in their eyes, they ran with it and didn't give me much grief. We found our building and were suppose to move in May 2008. Construction delays caused the move in to get pushed back until Sept 2008. We moved our equipment in and installed what needed to be installed. Sent in the Fed App in Oct 2008 and due to minor errors on the app, a Zip Code error on the bond and I believe the holidays, we didn't get our Fed App approved until after Christmas. Our state app took close to three months because our local ABC did not have any experience with a Distiller plus they made me drop one of my partners. Then came developing, formulas and COLA's. Add two months or so. Awaiting final shipments of packaging. Add a month. Total time is about two years from idea to operation. Currently dealing with distributors who I've been planting the seed with the whole way. Most of which, had forgotten about me. So much for planting the seed. Good luck.

I'm having trouble finding smaller distributors to work with. The large distributors seem pushy and want more from me than I'm willing to part with. Does anyone know a few small distributors in Northern California?

Thanks to all. I suspect that if nothing drastic happens now, that something will come up at the end of my lease in 4 years. BTW, I never got any letters or anything regarding counsel meetings. I did, however, get the management people dropping in to nonchalantly bs and mention the meeting. That was two days ago, while I was super busy, and I didn't remember they were going to talk about the zoning change until it was too late. Thanks again for your comments. I'm not sure anything will happen, and if anything does, I'm sure they'll be responsible to pay for my moving and setup expenses.

My property management company is planning to change my zoning from a light industrial zone to a commercial/mixed use zone. I know that I'm only suppose to be in a light industrial zone. Their rep told me that it wouldn't affect me and that I would be grandfathered in. I'm not a real estate guy and don't have a real estate lawyer. Plus I don't really trust the management people. Is this going to affect me? If so how? Feds, State or locally. Please reply.

I'm transitioning to 500 gallons fermenters. How many pounds of grains (rice) should I use? The reason I ask... I had a hard time adjusting from fermenting in 55 gallons barrels and transitioning to 160 gallon tanks. The numbers didn't seem as easy as multiplying by two or three. Any advise would greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Rinna

We looked at the Couronne Company in Texas for a while. We ended up not using them, but they seem to have good customer service and you can buy any quantity glass, even by the case. Also try Universal Specialties Inc. They're a one stop shop and can work out pallet orders. Good luck.