Making Traditional rice Wine. Cheap, Fun, and Different

[madwilliamflint]

Damn. My first batch must have been beginner's luck. I'm getting almost no yield. It's amazing. Not only on the one I started with the leaving from other batches either. Decided to run 4 side-by-side batches with different levels of yeast. Just put in a big yeast ball order .

Got a big wedding in 4 weeks I'd REALLY like to bring half a dozen bottles.

 

[pdxal]

I guess I'm going to have to wait and see which I prefer. I do love me some unfiltered sake. Pretty much any type of sake honestly lol.
Only thing I can think of to get a drier finish is to use a different type of yeast? Maybe use ground RYR for the enzymes and use some champagne yeast instead of the balls or ARL? Dunno, might be worth a try.

Champagne yeast won't work on its own. The yeast balls have mold that breaks down the starches in the rice into sugars that the yeast in the balls can then ferment into CO2 and alcohol.
Not sure if RYR is going to have enough mold with the enzymes needed to produce a dry batch. I think folks on here are using the RYR for flavor, not amylase.

 

[Darthbrewder]

Champagne yeast won't work on its own. The yeast balls have mold that breaks down the starches in the rice into sugars that the yeast in the balls can then ferment into CO2 and alcohol.

Not sure if RYR is going to have enough mold with the enzymes needed to produce a dry batch. I think folks on here are using the RYR for flavor, not amylase.

From what I understand the red yeast rice contains the same mold that the juqui contains. I could be wrong of course ;P

 

[pdxal]

You should give it a shot. The Jiu Qiu have a different type of mold in them, but it would be interesting to see if your experiment works.

 

[Darthbrewder]

Unfortunately that project will have to wait till after payday. I'm definitely not above trying it though. By the time I decide to order some RYR to try, I'm sure someone will chime in that knows more. Maybe even someone who has tried it, or something similar.

 

[jak1010]

I can speak from experience. RYR alone doesn't have what it takes to produce a wine. It's a great addition to a batch but, you definitely need yeast balls included in order for the batch to produce wine.

 

[Darthbrewder]

I can speak from experience. RYR alone doesn't have what it takes to produce a wine. It's a great addition to a batch but, you definitely need yeast balls included in order for the batch to produce wine.

So the RYR doesn't have enough diastatic power in any amount to convert starches to sugars?

 

[mythbustingpyro]

Maybe Im wrong, but shouldnt you be able to underpitch on the yeast balls to only convert the sugar partially and then ferment it dry with another yeast?

 

[ncredneck]

Has anyone tried this with black rice?
And if so how did it turn out?

 

[LabRatBrewer]

I'd like to have a batch go all the way to vinegar. How long would it take? Would exposing it to o2 help or hurt. (I guess I should good making vinegar).

 

[jak1010]

So the RYR doesn't have enough diastatic power in any amount to convert starches to sugars?

I'm not sure of the properties but, I've done experimental batches with just RYR and it didn't work. It only worked when the yeast balls or ARL were involved.

 

[jak1010]

Maybe Im wrong, but shouldnt you be able to underpitch on the yeast balls to only convert the sugar partially and then ferment it dry with another yeast?

That might work. It you use the yeast balls and let it work for 6-12 days and then pitch a champagne yeast, it might work. I can't see why not.

 

[BGBC]

I'm not sure of the properties but, I've done experimental batches with just RYR and it didn't work. It only worked when the yeast balls or ARL were involved.

I think he was asking about using RYR with champagne yeast, not RYR only. Worth a shot.

 

[Darthbrewder]

I think he was asking about using RYR with champagne yeast, not RYR only. Worth a shot.

Exactly! XD

 

[Smoke101]

This may already have been answered in the many many pages of posts and I missed it, I see everyone using roughly the same jar with the twist lid, I have easy access to a few large pickle jars with lids..would those be suitable for use?

 

[jak1010]

This may already have been answered in the many many pages of posts and I missed it, I see everyone using roughly the same jar with the twist lid, I have easy access to a few large pickle jars with lids..would those be suitable for use?

I'd say yes. So long as it can be sanitized and it holds liquid, it can be used. If you have enough space for cheesecloth (or something to create a gap large enough to allow gasses to vent) you're good to go. I've seen people use Tupperware containers, pickle jars, mason jars, cookie jars and even ceramic pots.

Take a picture of your vessel and give us a peek.

 

[Miyoshinum5]

First off I want to say thank you to everyone that's posted their experience on this thread, you made me really want to try this. I made a 5 cup (rice cooker measuring cup, a little smaller than a real cup) batch last week, the change even after a couple days is amazing. After a week it already smells like a good unfiltered sake, I can't wait to taste the final product.
One question though, any reason for the difference in my jars? They where made at the same time from the same batch of rice. The only difference is I mixed the yeast with the rice in the shorter jar and mixed the yeast with the rice in the rice cooker bowl then put that in the mason jar. The rice was more compact in the shorter jar, could that cause the difference? They both smell awesome and have about the same amount of liquid.

 

[BGBC]

They both look good, I wouldn't worry. Could be the shape of the jar, how compacted it was, less yeast in one vs other.

 

[jak1010]

First off I want to say thank you to everyone that's posted their experience on this thread, you made me really want to try this. I made a 5 cup (rice cooker measuring cup, a little smaller than a real cup) batch last week, the change even after a couple days is amazing. After a week it already smells like a good unfiltered sake, I can't wait to taste the final product.
One question though, any reason for the difference in my jars? They where made at the same time from the same batch of rice. The only difference is I mixed the yeast with the rice in the shorter jar and mixed the yeast with the rice in the rice cooker bowl then put that in the mason jar. The rice was more compact in the shorter jar, could that cause the difference? They both smell awesome and have about the same amount of liquid.

I agree with BGBC. Probably the shape of the jars. Also probably the texture of the inside of the jars. The mason jar might bee smoother inside?

Either way, they both look really good. Those are only a week old?

 

[Miyoshinum5]

I agree with BGBC. Probably the shape of the jars. Also probably the texture of the inside of the jars. The mason jar might bee smoother inside?

Either way, they both look really good. Those are only a week old?

Hmm, interesting. I figured they were both fine, just weird how different they look.

Yep, I started them on the 18th.

 

[Darthbrewder]

First off I want to say thank you to everyone that's posted their experience on this thread, you made me really want to try this. I made a 5 cup (rice cooker measuring cup, a little smaller than a real cup) batch last week, the change even after a couple days is amazing. After a week it already smells like a good unfiltered sake, I can't wait to taste the final product.

One question though, any reason for the difference in my jars? They where made at the same time from the same batch of rice. The only difference is I mixed the yeast with the rice in the shorter jar and mixed the yeast with the rice in the rice cooker bowl then put that in the mason jar. The rice was more compact in the shorter jar, could that cause the difference? They both smell awesome and have about the same amount of liquid.

Definitely the way you mixed the yeast in with the rice. Since you mixed one in a bowl first then transferred to the jar, tge rice was able to separate. Whereas when you mixed the yeast and rice in the jar everything became more compact. I agree though that they both look really good and you should be fine.

 

[Cheesy_Goodness]

Been wanting to try this for a while now, think i'll pull the trigger this weekend. I've got the ingredients, but i'm not 100% on the vessel. I've got a 2 gallon ceramic crock used for kombucha with no lid (cheesecloth), or an old glass milk jug(that has a lid) with a small opening, which might make the transfer of rice a royal pain. Pros and cons to both, I guess.
Any input?

Finally got around to putting this together and settled on the Ceramic Crock, I've got a bit less than a gallon of rice (that's a guess). I used 8 yeast balls and mashed them all together.

Since I've only got a (secured) cheese cloth on top, should I be concerned about headspace with this? If it's a concern I do have a big plastic bowl with a lid I could use instead of a crock. I literally just finished working the yeast in so I've got some time before fermentation really gets anywhere.

 

[Darthbrewder]

Finally got around to putting this together and settled on the Ceramic Crock, I've got a bit less than a gallon of rice (that's a guess). I used 8 yeast balls and mashed them all together.



Since I've only got a (secured) cheese cloth on top, should I be concerned about headspace with this? If it's a concern I do have a big plastic bowl with a lid I could use instead of a crock. I literally just finished working the yeast in so I've got some time before fermentation really gets anywhere.

I think if you just fold the cheese cloth over several times and secure it to the crock, you will be fine. Maybe lay a small plate over the opening?

 

[ChefRex]

Finally got around to putting this together and settled on the Ceramic Crock, I've got a bit less than a gallon of rice (that's a guess). I used 8 yeast balls and mashed them all together.

Since I've only got a (secured) cheese cloth on top, should I be concerned about headspace with this? If it's a concern I do have a big plastic bowl with a lid I could use instead of a crock. I literally just finished working the yeast in so I've got some time before fermentation really gets anywhere.

Zero issues with headroom, it will get smaller as it ferments.

 

[MetalMan2004]

So where in the store am I going to find these dried yeast balls? I went to a very large Asian market and looked everywhere and couldn't find them. I did find rice balls in the refrigerated section but I'm pretty sure that isn't them. I checked by the rice and in the baking area especially well with no luck. Finally I asked 2 workers and they had no clue what a dried yeast ball is... I live in Houston so I know someone here has to carry them. I just have to find them!

PS if you look for them online be sure to type in "dried yeast balls." When you leave the "dried" out and just type yeast balls you get results about itchy nether regions

 

[Darthbrewder]

If the market you are in is a Vietnamese market, you will not find them. If it is a Korean market you won't find the balls but you will find nuruk. They will call it enzymes. Pretty much the same thing as far as I know.

 

[Cheesy_Goodness]

Thanks Chef and Darth, I'll keep it where it is.

 

[mythbustingpyro]

Mine had a tablet form behind the counter. The worker said they were korean. They say bo nam Cali on the package.

 

[Rambunctious]

So where in the store am I going to find these dried yeast balls? I went to a very large Asian market and looked everywhere and couldn't find them. I did find rice balls in the refrigerated section but I'm pretty sure that isn't them. I checked by the rice and in the baking area especially well with no luck. Finally I asked 2 workers and they had no clue what a dried yeast ball is... I live in Houston so I know someone here has to carry them. I just have to find them!

PS if you look for them online be sure to type in "dried yeast balls." When you leave the "dried" out and just type yeast balls you get results about itchy nether regions

Take a photo of the rice cakes in the package and show it to the clerk they will know what your up to and help.


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

 

[Darthbrewder]

Take a photo of the rice cakes in the package and show it to the clerk they will know what your up to and help.


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

+1
Great idea!