FoodBanter.com - FAQ: rec.crafts.distilling

This is a FAQ for rec.crafts.distilling. Currently this FAQ is in it's
early stages, but will be improved over time.

This FAQ can be found at http://www.distilling.netfirms.com/

Here is a link so you may read messages in this newsgroup:
http://groups.google.com/groups?grou...fts.distilling

1. What is the charter for rec.crafts.distilling?

Rec.crafts.distilling is a news group dedicated to the discussion
of the legalities, process, recipes, tips, techniques and general
exchange of lore on the process, methods and history of distilling
alchohol. The above list is not considered exhaustive, and if a
discussion is of interest to distillers it may be deemed as
appropriate. Discussion on distilling water, botanicals, or anything
else that is applicable to the distillation process, is also
appropriate. Commercial postings are permitted, but no more than
one posting in two months. No binaries except PGP signatures and
similar small binaries.

2. My news server doesn't seem to have the newsgroup rec.crafts.distilling,
how do I access it?

It seems it takes time for new newsgroups to propagate, so this newsgroup
may not be found on all news servers. Use the above link to Google to read
this newsgroup, if it is not available on your news server. If you want to
post messages to this newsgroup, you may wish to sign up for an account at
http://news.individual.net/, where they will give you free access to their
news server and allow you to post messages on this newsgroup.

3. Isn't distilling illegal?

In many countries, home distilling is illegal. However, in some countries
like New Zealand, it is not. The usenet is a world-wide forum and it is
generally not illegal to discuss distilling processes.

4. Where can I find more information about distilling?

The website http://www.homedistiller.org/ is one of the best resources, and
it links to other sites as well.

5. Where can I buy turbo yeasts, flavorings, etc?

USA: http://www.brewhaus.com/
Canada: http://www.brewhaus.ca/
Europe: http://www.partyman.se/

6. How do I use a home water distiller to produce alcohol?

See http://www.homedistiller.org/ See sections on Distilling the Wash:
Stripping, Double Distilling, and Using a Water Distiller as a Pot Still.

7. What process can I use to extract alcohol out of a wine/mead by freezing?

See http://www.fermatorium.com/fermentation/mead/freeze/

8. How can I inexpensively make Port wines?

See answer #7, above. This technique can also be used to produce Port style
wines, as an alternative to fortification. You could also steam distill
your own brandy or sugar water and fortify that way.

9. I want to make some home made Liqueurs. Where can I find some recipies?

Have a look at Gunther Anderson's Liqueur Making Liqueur Making.
http://www.guntheranderson.com/liqueurs.htm. Please post your favorite
recipies on the newsgroup as well!