So I tried brewing some Ginger Ale this evening. But really just winged it.
.8 of a pound of ginger root (mostly grated, some big pieces)
3 lemon zest (grated rind) and then squeezed for juice
1 Fennel root. (Anise) Also grated.
Splash of Vanilla
Cinnamon Stix
4lbs of Corn Sugar
Boiled 5 gallons of water, and around 170f added the ingredients. (Except added lemon juice in last 10 minutes.) Stirring occasionally.
Santized all my stuff. Bottling bucket, carboy, thief, thermometer, funnel.
Mixed some sugar and water in a cup to proof the yeast. (Red Star Wine yeast)
After about 40-50 minutes of boiling, I started to spoon out stuff that floated to the top.
I poured it all in my bottleing bucket, let it sit for like 5 minutes, but it didn't settle out much. I then put a screen in the funnel so it took out 95% of grated pulp.
Put it all in the carboy, took a reading, pitched the yeast, and put it in my brew closet.
Now the Gravity reading was 1030 at 100f. So I'm not expecting a high alcohol content. But I figure a "wait and see" attitude is probably best. Plus, the way I figure, if it tastes ok now, if I can just get another keg, I'd have it as a non-alcoholic soda.
.8 of a pound of ginger root (mostly grated, some big pieces)
3 lemon zest (grated rind) and then squeezed for juice
1 Fennel root. (Anise) Also grated.
Splash of Vanilla
Cinnamon Stix
4lbs of Corn Sugar
Boiled 5 gallons of water, and around 170f added the ingredients. (Except added lemon juice in last 10 minutes.) Stirring occasionally.
Santized all my stuff. Bottling bucket, carboy, thief, thermometer, funnel.
Mixed some sugar and water in a cup to proof the yeast. (Red Star Wine yeast)
After about 40-50 minutes of boiling, I started to spoon out stuff that floated to the top.
I poured it all in my bottleing bucket, let it sit for like 5 minutes, but it didn't settle out much. I then put a screen in the funnel so it took out 95% of grated pulp.
Put it all in the carboy, took a reading, pitched the yeast, and put it in my brew closet.
Now the Gravity reading was 1030 at 100f. So I'm not expecting a high alcohol content. But I figure a "wait and see" attitude is probably best. Plus, the way I figure, if it tastes ok now, if I can just get another keg, I'd have it as a non-alcoholic soda.