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Alcotec spirit base kit 5 Kitres
Instruction - Start
1. Clean and sterilise all equipment before use. Use a proper
homebrew cleaner/steriliser, normal washing up liquid will not
do. Rinse very thoroughly. This is a good time to measure up
your 5 litre (9 Pints) level and mark it.
2. Using a clean jug, dissolve 1.63 kgs of sugar into 1 litres (1.8
Pints), of boiling water and add this to the fermenter. Warning
- if you have a glass demijohn you need to let the liquid cool
down a bit first.
3. Add cold water until the fermenter is half full and then shake
well. Add sachets 1b (Nutrient) and 1d (Bentonite) and shake
well.
4. Add sachet 1 (H/A Yeast) to half a cup of warm water (40ºC / 104
ºF). Leave to stand for 10 minutes then stir and leave for another
10 minutes before adding to the fermenter. Do not leave for
much longer or shorter - this may result in yeast damage.
5. Top up to 5 litres (as marked before) with cold water and shake
well. Fit an air lock and leave to ferment at between 18-23ºC (64-
73 ºF) until no more bubbles pass through the air lock (should
take 3 weeks). Always consider the risk of a leak or frothing -
place your fermenter away from carpets etc.
After fermentation (3 weeks later)
6. Check that fermentation is over - hydrometer reading should be
the same for two days following (pref. below 998), there should
be no more bubbles in the airlock and no visible activity.
7. When you are absolutely sure that fermentation is over (if in
doubt, wait another few days) then pour the liquor into a clean
bucket, leaving only the sediment in the fermenter.
8. Add sachets no 2 (Stabiliser) and 3 (Activated Carbon)
(massage the carbon sachet first to dissolve any lumps), stir
to remove CO2 thoroughly and then return the liquor to the
fermenter (rinse the demijohn first to remove the sediment).
9. Re-fit the air lock and leave to stand for 24 hours. Agitate
occasionally during this time.
10. After 24 hours add sachet no 3 (Finings A), mix gently and leave
to stand for 1 hour. After 1 hour add sachet no 4 (Finings B) and
mix gently for 10 seconds. Then immediately add the sachet no
5 (Finings C), mix gently for 10 seconds and leave to stand in
a cool place until completely clear.
After clearing (approximately 3 days)
11. When completely clear (usually 3 days, somewhat longer in
rare cases), siphon the clear liquor into a clean demijohn.
12. Ready! Now you can use the base for mixing with essences and
extracts to make half-strength spirits, liqueurs, drinks etc.