Hey all. IV been reading a lot of fourms from here and other homebrewers sites an finally decided I’m to the point where I need to ask some of my own questions for better clarification on the process of fermenting and such.
OK so iv started my first 5 gallon sugar mash about 3 days ago. It seemed to start off good alot of work was being done inside my fermenter. Well I decided I’d check it out today and has a very strong sour smell and very little work being done almost like if I was simmering a pot on the stove. Bubbles but very small. No foam or anything on top. And has a very sweet taste even tho it smells really sour. IV also noticed these oil bubbles floating on top. Well what I’m assuming to be oil. I’m using a 5 gallon jug with a balloon on it. Went thru 3 balloons so far so this will be changed next go around. And I say a 5 gal mash but it’s really like 4.7 or so. Does my fermentation seem to be going norm. The mash is a clearish yellow.
Thank you for you help and advice in advanced.
I have about 15 pounds of sugar and 10 grams of bread yeast in the mash
I’m not sure we have a lot of folks on this forum experienced in the manufacture of hooch whiskey. Maybe a few. Your needs might be better served elsewhere. Sorry I can’t be of more help personally as I’ve never done this myself.
Can you clarify what a sugar mash is? Just sugar and water, or did you mash some cereal grain? Sugar contains no micro-nutrients, so without a comprehensive yeast nutrient the fermentation might be nutrient-limited. Either way, 15 lb of sugar in 4.7 gal is very high gravity - about 37°P. Most washes for distillation are in the 5-15% ABV range, maybe 25°P at most.
Bread yeast isn’t exactly noted for its alcohol tolerance, so even with everything else going for you, this wouldn’t get to the ~27% ABV attenuation limit. Probably wouldn’t even with a distiller’s yeast.
I used sugar, yeast, and I used a multi vitamin for nutrients. And yeah with bread yeast it will only reach 18% if I remember correctly.
Also I said all the ball on popped that’s was wrong the last balloon got a hole melted thru it pretty much after a day