Stowaway Wine.
Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:31 am
Don't know if anyone here's already doing something like this, but thought I'd share the idea just in case. I ferment my LBK batches of beer in a 48 quart cooler and I've been using 'semi-washed' yeast from the previous batch, bottling then brewing again on the same day. I usually use about half the yeast and end up dumping the rest.
I got to thinking I had unused space in the cooler and unused yeast both going to waste. Then it hit me. I've been making larger batches of wine or cider timed far apart and using another cooler alongside the one with the beer in it. Why not try making smaller batches more often, sharing the extra space inside the one cooler as well as the unused yeast.
I'm on my second effort with this now, both times being one gallon batches of cider. First one being all apple and second being a more risky venture, with apple, cranberry, and some sorghum syrup left over from my awful attempts at using it for gluten free beer.
So far it's been working out pretty nicely, sharing the space, the yeast, and even the ice bottles to control temps. I'm sure when I try this with wine instead of cider, the washed beer yeast may not fly and I'll have to use wine yeast. But I can still share the space and the water bottles. In fact, having the cooler packed more with less air space has actually made controlling the temp even easier. Seems to remain more stable and fluctuate less quickly now.
Hey, you just gotta try stuff sometimes. Once in awhile one of the ideas may work out, right?
I got to thinking I had unused space in the cooler and unused yeast both going to waste. Then it hit me. I've been making larger batches of wine or cider timed far apart and using another cooler alongside the one with the beer in it. Why not try making smaller batches more often, sharing the extra space inside the one cooler as well as the unused yeast.
I'm on my second effort with this now, both times being one gallon batches of cider. First one being all apple and second being a more risky venture, with apple, cranberry, and some sorghum syrup left over from my awful attempts at using it for gluten free beer.
So far it's been working out pretty nicely, sharing the space, the yeast, and even the ice bottles to control temps. I'm sure when I try this with wine instead of cider, the washed beer yeast may not fly and I'll have to use wine yeast. But I can still share the space and the water bottles. In fact, having the cooler packed more with less air space has actually made controlling the temp even easier. Seems to remain more stable and fluctuate less quickly now.
Hey, you just gotta try stuff sometimes. Once in awhile one of the ideas may work out, right?