Group Brew: Cherry Vanilla Melomel 2/22/09 - Page 7

HarvInSTL · 02-23-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hightest

Somehow I sense ingredient availability, and the cost factor, may have dampened some of the group's enthusiasm...

I have to agree with this.

Had I known that the honey was going to be $60 and cherry juice would be $48 I would have passed as well. But once the honey was purchased there was no turning back.

wreckinball9 · 02-23-2009, 05:14 PM

havent been able to get to Trader Joes until today- I am heading out to go now. i have 3 lbs (for 1 gal batch) raw clover honey from a small farm in MI, and madagascar vanilla beans just arrived. I Should be putting everything together Thursday. A little late, but better late than never.

**dudasaj** · 02-24-2009, 10:06 PM

I was updating my log today and caught that i am using CROSBY & BAKER FERMAX instead of Fermaid-K

The weight conversion is 5.1g/tsp which is slightly different from Fermaid-K. Don't think I've done any damage. Actually the chart recommends 5.1g per gallon. But here is a link to a conversion chart of various manufacturers additives. Use this at your own risk. I trust the conversions but the ratios to use in your must may not be reliable.
http://www.nys-homewine.info/PDFs/EQUIVWT.pdf

**dudasaj** · 02-24-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

from: HOMEBREW Digest #3413 Sat 26 August 2000

Subject: Yeast Nutrient Composition
From: Mark Evenson <wine-hop at dnvr.uswest.net>
Date: Mon, 01 Dec 1997 13:04:56 -0800

For the person with the question on chemical composition of yeast
nutrient: Three of the largest homebrew/winemaking wholesale suppliers
use varying formulas in their "house brand". Your local homebrew shop
should be able to identify their source (especially if you're willing to
share your info).

L.D. Carlson (Kent, OH) food-grade urea and diammonium phosphate; white
in color with fairly large, rounded granules

G.W. Kent (Ann Arbor, MI) these folks have two types
- -"Nutrient" diammonium phosphate; white, small crystals similar in size
to sugar crystals (though more long than square)
- -"Energizer" diammonium phosphate, yeast hulls, magnesium sulfate,
thiamine, folic acid, niacin, calcium pantothenate; small tan grains
with some white particles visible. I believe this is from Lalvin.

Crosby & Baker (Westmort, MA) Fermax(TM) contains diammonium phosphate,
dipotassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, autolyzed yeast.

also DLB Vineyards (Westlake, OH) diammonium phosphate; white grains.

Sorry for the delay in responding; I wanted to check with the suppliers
listed above to get official permission to post this info. Nobody said
"no" although if you want more detailed info (i.e., what percentage of
each chemical) you should contact your local homebrew shop.

**dudasaj** · 02-24-2009, 11:36 PM

my LHBS has Oregon Fruit Puree Cherry for 15.95 for 49oz(3# 1oz) can.
Depending on the cost and availability I will either use the puree or fresh local cherries.

I looked at the dried cherries after Poobah58 pointed out that one pack of dried cherries contains Sulfur Dioxide, and the other contains sunflower oil. Neither of which I want in the finished product.

HarvInSTL · 02-24-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dudasaj

I looked at the dried cherries after Poobah58 pointed out that one pack of dried cherries contains Sulfur Dioxide, and the other contains sunflower oil. Neither of which I want in the finished product.

Just to note that trader joes carries two types of sweet cherries. The ones in the 8oz package contain sulfur dioxide. The ones in the 6oz packages do not.