Making Traditional rice Wine. Cheap, Fun, and Different

[WesleyS]

What did you flavor with?

I made a simple syrup.(equal parts water and sugar) Then I threw in some mixed frozen berries and let it all simmer for a bit. Then strained it and added to the wine to taste.

 

[WesleyS]

Did you clear it or is it just a weird reflection?

I didn't do anything to clear it. It's been in the refrigerator for a few days. I tried to roll it around a bit to get the solids suspended but it still seemed clearer than expected.

 

[trbig]

Anyone here tried adding hibiscus tea to the rice wine?

 

[user 83772]

Had ot do a little shopping at the local Asian market this afternoon, and figured I'd have a lookout for the dried yeast while I was there since I've been wanting to work up a batch of this stuff. I didn't find anything that looked like the stuff y'all have been using, but I did find these:



They're signifcantly smaller than the ones pictured elsewhere in this thread - slightly smaller than a dime. Anybody else seen these? The company name on them is IHA BEVERAGE, so they do seem to be the right stuff. I'm just curious because they're so different.

 

[Ostomo517]

Had ot do a little shopping at the local Asian market this afternoon, and figured I'd have a lookout for the dried yeast while I was there since I've been wanting to work up a batch of this stuff. I didn't find anything that looked like the stuff y'all have been using, but I did find these:

http://picpaste.com/yeast-vGfrDOYI.jpg

They're signifcantly smaller than the ones pictured elsewhere in this thread - slightly smaller than a dime. Anybody else seen these? The company name on them is IHA BEVERAGE, so they do seem to be the right stuff. I'm just curious because they're so different.

These are exactly what I used. I wondered about the size too. Seems a lot if ppl are overdosing with yeast. I used 4 of these with 5 cups dry rice.

 

[user 83772]

Excellent! Looks like I need t!o pick up some jasmine rice when I'm out tomorrow. :rockin:

 

[mpride1911]

First attempt complete. Filled a one gallon jar with 4 cups of dry rice.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=147243785440659&set=a.145926222239082.33806.145906592241045&type=1&theater

 

[xfevv]

Two days in and I've got nothing happening, although there is a great smell. The rice was a bit dry when I put it in. Any thoughts? Plan on letting it sit in my closet untouched for the full time unless nothing seems to be happening

 

[sonofgrok]

Two days in and I've got nothing happening, although there is a great smell. The rice was a bit dry when I put it in. Any thoughts? Plan on letting it sit in my closet untouched for the full time unless nothing seems to be happening

Patience. Since I do a drier, thai jamine rice, I often don't see liquid for quite a while. If you still don't see any liquid in two weeks then maybe worry. lol

 

[WesleyS]

Sonofgrok thanks for this thread! I'm very pleased with my first batch and there will be more to follow. This is one of the more interesting, easiest and cheapest things I've made. I skipped over this thread for a while, but I'm glad I finally decided to read it. Thanks again.

 

[xfevv]

Patience. Since I do a drier, thai jamine rice, I often don't see liquid for quite a while. If you still don't see any liquid in two weeks then maybe worry. lol

Figured as much. Thanks

 

[Jeebas]

I have also noticed some people fermenting in their pics under the bathroom sink which I don't think is the best idea *shudder*

Other than the fact that it probably won't be as warm as you may want it to be, what is the issue with under the bathroom sink, as long as you have the cheesecloth + lid?

Yes, I was one of those people

 

[Ostomo517]

Other than the fact that it probably won't be as warm as you may want it to be, what is the issue with under the bathroom sink, as long as you have the cheesecloth + lid?

Yes, I was one of those people

Besides the tons of extra bacteria?

 

[Spinrathen]

Besides the tons of extra bacteria?

I am fermenting mine in a closet, but I really would not see any problem doing it in a bathroom. Assuming you aren't opening it a bunch nothing can get in.

 

[Ostomo517]

I am fermenting mine in a closet, but I really would not see any problem doing it in a bathroom. Assuming you aren't opening it a bunch nothing can get in.

If air can get out bacteria can definately get in

 

[Jeebas]

Besides the tons of extra bacteria?

Its not a toilet

I don't feel real strongly about leaving it there, but what's really the difference between it and a closet other than a pipe running through it?

 

[user 83772]

Assuming that the folks fermenting their rice in their bathrooms clean those bathrooms like they clean the rest of their houses, there isn't going to be "tons of extra bacteria".

 

[Spinrathen]

If air can get out bacteria can definately get in

co2 is escaping after the space in the jar is full, creating a co2 bubble that expels anything making it impossible for things to get in. That is my understanding of how the yeast eating sugars and expelling co2 and ethyl alcohol works.

 

[japroto]

Its not a toilet

I don't feel real strongly about leaving it there, but what's really the difference between it and a closet other than a pipe running through it?

You would probably be fine... but why risk it?

 

[japroto]

I haven't read through all 101 pages (current page count) but has anyone tried using calrose rice, you know the cheap stuff they sell everywhere? Or even instant rice? Just curious...

 

[user 83772]

Yeah, calrose has been used with mixed results. So far the best performer seems to be the Thai Jasmine rice suggested by @sonofgrok in the first post.

 

[japroto]

Yeah I read that too and Thai Jasmine seems to be the champ but what "mixed results" have been seen?

 

[sonofgrok]

I would tend to agree with Osmoto. The cheesecloth airlock is far from 100% efficient and I could culture even the air in your bathroom and you would probably be surprised at exactly how much bacteria is in there.

Ever heard the saying "dont s&$*@ where you eat"? I also wouldn't brew where I s%$&@. But ultimately it is your call. lol

 

[Whippy]

Must the rice be steamed, or can it be cooked in a pot and achieve similar results?

 

[bottlebomber]

Must the rice be steamed, or can it be cooked in a pot and achieve similar results?

I don't think it makes a difference. I cooked mine as normal and my results were identical to everyone else's who had success.

 

[saramc]

I would tend to agree with Osmoto. The cheesecloth airlock is far from 100% efficient and I could culture even the air in your bathroom and you would probably be surprised at exactly how much bacteria is in there.

Ever heard the saying "dont s&$*@ where you eat"? I also wouldn't brew where I s%$&@. But ultimately it is your call. lol

I have cultured air from bathrooms, including under the sink, of well cleaned bathrooms in residential, office and hospital settings....you really do not want to ferment in your bathroom unless it is never used. We had thirty students obtain five samples from each setting across a 300 mile radius, with office/hospital having samples collected from no more than two bathrooms in the same building but never the same bathroom. We were all quite grossed out, and residential grew more organisms than the other two.

 

[trbig]

Mmmm.. Just adds that special little "Sumthin'" to the flavor! lol..

 

[japroto]

I have cultured air from bathrooms, including under the sink, of well cleaned bathrooms in residential, office and hospital settings....you really do not want to ferment in your bathroom unless it is never used. We had thirty students obtain five samples from each setting across a 300 mile radius, with office/hospital having samples collected from no more than two bathrooms in the same building but never the same bathroom. We were all quite grossed out, and residential grew more organisms than the other two.

Did you also sample the other rooms in the buildings in comparison and not just the bathroom? I bet you would find just as much bacteria in the other parts of the buildings as you did in the bathrooms. Bacteria is everywhere, especially on that thing you are moving your cursor with. Bathrooms tend to be cleaned more thoroughly than other parts of a building so wouldn't be surprised if some of the more "scary" stuff was found outside of the restroom...

 

[WesleyS]

Did you also sample the other rooms in the buildings in comparison and not just the bathroom? I bet you would find just as much bacteria in the other parts of the buildings as you did in the bathrooms. Bacteria is everywhere, especially on that thing you are moving your cursor with. Bathrooms tend to be cleaned more thoroughly than other parts of a building so wouldn't be surprised if some of the more "scary" stuff was found outside of the restroom...

Although I still would never ferment anything in a bathroom in use or under the sink, it is an interesting subject. There's are all kinds of nasties floating around everywhere. For the most part people use disinfectant/antibacterial cleaners in bathrooms and kitchens but not a lot of other places in their home. So there are probably places some might consider "safe" but might not be much cleaner. Just a chain of events can bring it there. You flush the toilet with the lid up and the spray carries stuff into other rooms through the air. You walk into your fermenting room with the same shoes you walk around in outside and in public. It's hard to keep everything out.

 

[Stevo2569]

I did 2-4 cup batches yesterday and brewed a wheat beer. Took the last running and thought what the hell and through a yeast ball in with it. Started fermenting within a few hours. Well see how it turns out.