Just Getting Started!!! Got Blue Berrys!

[THBertson]

Hey everyone. I am brand new to home brewing. I just recently acquired cases and cases of Blue Berrys from an Tractor Trailer accident. I want to start fermenting them. I am looking on getting some equipment inexpensively, perhaps making a lot of it my self since I do not have a lot of funds. Please send me some info or ideas. I figured I would start with 1, 2 1/2 or 5 gallon containers.
Also, I only have a bout a day or so left before the Blue Berrys will start to spoil.
I was going to bag as many up as I can and freeze them. Will that be ok to use at a latter time?

 

[RobWalker]

freezing - yup.

For a recipe, you could try this. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f79/awesome-blueberry-wine-33206/

If you want to set up as cheap as possible, all you need is a demi john (carboy), siphoning tube, air lock and your ingredients including yeast. use spoons etc from your kitchen, puree the blueberries using your food blender, and you can sterilize everything with boiling water - i do this all the time and i've never had an infection. you should buy a hydrometer too, really - they don't cost much and it'll tell you how strong your wine will be, and if it's dry/medium/sweet. ferment away, collect wine bottles, and when it's ready, shove it in them. sweet.

 

[sashurlow]

First off... Did you just show up and pick up the blue berrys or do you have inside connections. I have never heard of someone getting... well, anything from a tractor trailer accident.
I'm starting off with my wine experience as well but have a years worth of cider in my belt. If you have a home brew store definitely check them out. You will need a food grade bucket (or thrift store stock pot) for a primary, a carboy works great for a secondary (two are better than one). A siphon hose but an auto siphon works so much better. A stopper and air lock for the secondary,and a hydrometer is pretty much a necessity. Cambden tabs for sterilizing. Wine yeast... So basically you either need to find a local home brew store or check out an online brew store.

 

[THBertson]

That recipe looks sweet!!! I am going to order a few things off of Amazon this weekend. Some air locks, bung caps, RC 212 yeast, some camden tablets and a hydrometer. What kind of yeast nutrient do I get?

The recipe says it is for two gallons. Is a 5 gallon water bottle too big?
I cant seem to find anything between 1 gallon and 5 gallon.

When he says to transfer from primary to secondary am I just going to siphon from the primary to the secondary and leave all of the berrys in the primary?
Or do I transfer everything?

I was thinking of using a 4-5 gallon bucket for the primary and a 5 gallon water bottle for the secondary.

Sorry for the basic questions I just want to get started on the correct foot.

My friend owns a Tow Yard and has contracts with the police department and local highway administration for accidents.
Tuesday at 3:30am a tractor trailer was cut off by a car and went off the beltway and ended up on its side. It was filled from front to back with Blue Berrys! They were stacked on pallets 8' high. They couldn't flip it back over while it was filled so all of the Blue Berrys had to be transferred to another trailer. They said it was over $300,000.00 worth of Blue Berrys. I got a call at 8:00am and was asked to go to Home depot and fill the back of my pickup with some day laborers and go to the accident. I had an escort to the accident site. They closed down the beltway so we could drive the wrong way on an exit ramp and the beltway. It was a site with 13 laborers in the back of my dually!! We could not shrink wrap the pallets any higher then 6 feet so there were over two pallets left in the wrecked trailer. Once it was towed to the tow yard I took out 24 cases. There must be another 100 that are starting to rot still in it. I have 24 pints in my fridge and froze 160 pints in gallon bags. And everyone I know got a case.
So I figured I would attempt to make some wine!!!!

I really appreciate the info! I will most definitely be asking a few more questions?