Episode 51 - DIY Liquor: Distill Your Own Alcohol [Discussion]

[brakk]

For anyone interested in learning to brew beer (or cider, mead, wine, etc), which is the first step if you are going to be distilling, I recommend these sites.

http://basicbrewing.com/ (audio and video podcasts, seems to be having problems ATM)
http://www.howtobrew.com (excellent instructions)

It's easier than you think to make good beer.

[partner55786114]

Just out of curiosity, couldn't you just get a food grade container or a glass container and toss in water+yeast+sugar and get alcohol?

That would probably be a quick and easy way to make it, especially if you plan to distill it later and concentrate the ethanol.

And even if you don't plan to distill it, you have essentially made a low alcohol vodka right? No need to mash up fruits and what not to create it!

[scott88008]

Great episode! In formative, entertaining and I really admire Julia's mind. Yes, her mind is just awesome! I just can't stop thinking about her mind. They're.... I mean.... it's so beautiful! Her mind, that is.

[bigstupid]

I'm not a drinker really, but this was a pretty interesting episode.

Also... apparently, even the scientists are crazy hot in California....

Notice how Patrick is using all the willpower he can muster to not look at her while she is groping for things under the counter area... I'm quite impressed.

[fishtoprecords]

Yes, we need to suggest more episodes that need scientific help so Patrick can invite Julia back for more.

[sembazuru]

Originally Posted by partner55786114

Just out of curiosity, couldn't you just get a food grade container or a glass container and toss in water+yeast+sugar and get alcohol?

That would probably be a quick and easy way to make it, especially if you plan to distill it later and concentrate the ethanol.

And even if you don't plan to distill it, you have essentially made a low alcohol vodka right? No need to mash up fruits and what not to create it!

Well, if your sole expected result was pure alcohol a la Everclear, then yes. Just fermenting sugar should work (and don't bother to remove the charcoal filter from the distiller). But, Julia's desired result was a flavorful result, hence the multiple distillation captures (the individual glasses), and the mixing to get a decent flavor as mentioned. What the she and the show people were tasting was the early distillation that had some flavors (esthers) but mostly alcohol. Remember she was talking about different flavors come out at different times because of differing boiling points. That's the art.

Been thinking about his episode for a long time. Decided to make my own distiller instead of going out and paying the big bucks.. If and I say if it works I will upload the pics and make an "Instructable" of it.



For dramatic purposes only (DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME)