StillhouseCreek

We are trying complete some start up spreadsheets from templates on the SBA. Can anyone suggest the best way to get the prices of start up inventory like flaked maize, corn malt, barley malt, yeast? Thanks...

Duh!!!! I googled it. Reverse Osmosis. Of course!

Thank you jwymore. Iron is an issue in our ground water. Filtration will certainly be part of my water supply. What is RO?

Thanks so very much, stevea, for a truly clear and detailed response! Tremendously helpful. I just got am emil from a distiller in Canada that is using city water. He also refers to using an RO system on their final water... ?

If forced to use city water for mashing, do the typical chemicals in processed water kill conversion or fermentation? Does distillation remove chemicals that impact the taste of the distillate? Any other comments on mash water impacting distillation would be appreciated! Thanks...

We are early in the start-up process and running into issues related to where to intelligently locate our business. We are in a location where we have a basic decision to make, based upon the factors I will explain. In our unincorprated county areas, at this point, we can only sell our products to distributors and restaurants, but anticipate that may change in the no-too-distant future, where we can sell package and or by-the-drink. But not yet. We can only offer 1/2 ounce tastings right now. No package sales . No drinks. Our onsite retails sales will be limited basicaly to souvenirs. Also in our unincorporated area of our county, we face an uphill (not impossible) battle against a 'religeous' county commission of three members. One who always oppose, one wo would not object, and one who might be persuaded to 'betray' his questioanble religeosity. But that is where our suppliers of fruit for brandy is located. We had hoped to locate and piggyback off the traffic that comes from the apple houses that are a huge tourist draw and gets agri-tourism considerations. Our other option is the county seat municipality. They already have favorable ordinances and not subject to the county commissioners and I even have the blessing of the mayor (who incidentally owns the only beer and wine package store in town.) But the city allows tasting, liqour by the drink and some bottle sales (wine). The problem with this location is that it is so small that the properties we want are too close to a church or school, by state law. So we can't find a location that benefits from the walk in traffic of the tourists. But we can find locations that are not 'on the square' in our town. There is a limited number of these. How important is walk-in versus 'destination' location of your distillery? Should we hold out for the 'perfect' in-town location? I would appreciate any non-speculative, experience-based information anyone could share. Much thanks!