Mac's Bourbon Whiskey Knock Off (BWKO) Discussion

[brewman]

Got 100l of the BWKO in three fermenters at the moment and just wondering if it's normal for all of the cracked grain to be sitting up in the Krausen.

2015-11-12 19.07.19.jpg

I've never fermented on the grain before so it's a little unusual for me. Will I still get the grain flavours even though it's sitting up above the ferment or should I be trying to knock it down?

[Sam.]

Once it has soaked up some water it will sink mate :handgestures-thumbupleft:

You will usually still have a few bits floating on top but the majority will go down.

[bluc]

In 30l ferments how long is the ferment taking? I am just about ready for gen3 both 1 and two have taken 2 weeks..

[brewman]

I've just done 4 gens and all were ready to run in 5 - 6 days. I didn't bother leaving them to clear. FG was generally around 0.990

[WTDist]

Got 100l of the BWKO in three fermenters at the moment and just wondering if it's normal for all of the cracked grain to be sitting up in the Krausen.

2015-11-12 19.07.19.jpg

I've never fermented on the grain before so it's a little unusual for me. Will I still get the grain flavours even though it's sitting up above the ferment or should I be trying to knock it down?

did you just add the grain to hot water and boil?

Im going to attempt this in the near/distant future and i was thinking of hitting it with the stick blender while its in boiling water to break it up smaller. this is what i do o my CFW, boil it in backset and use a stick blender to mash it up more.

wondering if this will allow it to get the flavour in more with smaller grains. dont have a mill so just stick blending for me

[brewman]

Not sure if I did it correctly, but first added the cracked corn to boiling water in the fermenter and left it to cool naturally. Once the water had cooled to around 68 degrees I added the malted barley that I'd run through the mill and left that for another 45 minutes to attempt a little conversion. Then added the sugar and just topped up with cool water and pitched the Lowans.

I don't think there's any great need to fully gelatinise the corn as the recipe is mostly sugar. I'd always crack the grain beforehand as this should allow more flavour through in the fermentation.

Not sure the stick blender would have much effect on cracking the grain but can't see any reason not to give it a go.

[Aussiedownunder01]

With this is it like tpw after its finished can you leave it a few weeks before you run it :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[5 o'clock]

With this is it like tpw after its finished can you leave it a few weeks before you run it :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I left my last batch for about 9 months. Was very clear by then.

[Aussiedownunder01]

33Great thanks I have 3 more tpw that I need to run before I take off the fifth plate and packed section :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[WTDist]

With this is it like tpw after its finished can you leave it a few weeks before you run it :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I left my last batch for about 9 months. Was very clear by then.

how does the yeats go with this? did they re launch with the next batch or did you need to pitch again? im curious how long the yeast will last in the fermenter when it finishes :think:

[5 o'clock]

With this is it like tpw after its finished can you leave it a few weeks before you run it :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I left my last batch for about 9 months. Was very clear by then.

how does the yeats go with this? did they re launch with the next batch or did you need to pitch again? im curious how long the yeast will last in the fermenter when it finishes :think:

I had to repitch the yeast so to answer your curiosity... Yeast can't last 9 months.

[bluc]

I've just done 4 gens and all were ready to run in 5 - 6 days. I didn't bother leaving them to clear. FG was generally around 0.990

Hmmm strange wonder why mine take so long... i get strong bubbling through airlock for 11 days then i let it clarify for 3...

[WTDist]

im wondering. how much backset is used each gen?. i see in the recipe it says 10-12L. is that for each 30L wash and all gens.? im wondering if it should be lowered to 5L after a few gens so it doesnt stall?

[bluc]

im wondering. how much backset is used each gen?. i see in the recipe it says 10-12L. is that for each 30L wash and all gens.? im wondering if it should be lowered to 5L after a few gens so it doesnt stall?

I used 25% backset on each new gen 7.5l per 30l batch( read it or watched a distillery video cant remember which and they said by law has to be at least 25% to be called sour mash) got through 5 gens without stalling no ph meter which is why I went with smaller amount. Boy is this stuff going to be good after 10 days on oak nearly good enough to drink as is... :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[WTDist]

im wondering. how much backset is used each gen?. i see in the recipe it says 10-12L. is that for each 30L wash and all gens.? im wondering if it should be lowered to 5L after a few gens so it doesnt stall?

I used 25% backset on each new gen 7.5l per 30l batch( read it or watched a distillery video cant remember which and they said by law has to be at least 25% to be called sour mash) got through 5 gens without stalling no ph meter which is why I went with smaller amount. Boy is this stuff going to be good after 10 days on oak nearly good enough to drink as is... :handgestures-thumbupleft:

damn im excited. just need to sort my new place out then sort out my distilling. still doing cereal washes till im ready for this :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[bluc]

Lol I am about to do the opposite go from this to a cereal to see what they are like :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Hardie355]

Does the corny taste relax over time? ive got 10l @ 65 been on oak for a month now 4 x heavy toast 4 x medium toast and 2 charcoal that i did with the ol mapp gas. So i mixed a 300ml sampler last night and it was nice and smooth but has that taste of corn. I know im being impatient :))

[tipsy]

Does the corny taste relax over time?

I don't know if it relaxes, but it certainly melds with the oak becoming more rounded.

[scythe]

What is wrong with the taste of corn?

[jacobraven]

First 100 litre bwko getting prepared got my grains in waiting on bloody water to boil so I can add that and the sugar to the ferment and let cool.