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Bourbon, Whiskey, Vodka and Moonshine - How Much Yeast?
We get a lot of questions about yeast. Everyone seems to want to know how much yeast is needed for making 5 or 10 gallons of mash. For those that have read The Best Yeasts for Distilling, it's obvious we are very fond of bread yeast. We have found over the years that bread yeast can easily produce as much alcohol as other yeasts if used correctly.
The question we hear a lot is "How much yeast do I need for the ____ recipe?" The answer is "It Depends." Every type of yeast is slightly different. In general, yeast can be categorized into three different groups: champagne & beer yeast, distillers yeast, and bread yeast. Use the following guidelines for measuring the quantity of yeast that is added to a mash.
Champagne or Beer Yeast
When using a champagne or beer yeast it will have directions on the packet. Every champagne/ beer yeast we have ever used is packaged to ferment 5 gallons of beer. When using champagne/beer yeast use 1 packet for every 5 gallons of mash.
Distillers Yeast
When using distillers yeast follow the directions on the packet. If there are no directions we suggest 1 tablespoon of yeast per 5 gallons of mash.
Bread Yeast
When using bread yeast we have had great results with Fleischmann's bread yeast over the years. Bread yeast can be bought in packet form or in 1-2 pound bulk packages. It is normally cheaper to buy in bulk but it is more convenient to store the yeast in packets. We prefer packets and can justify the slight cost increase for the convenience/storage factor. Just follow the steps we have outlined below in order have great results using bread yeast.
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Create a simple yeast starter for 5 gallons of mash
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Add 1/2 cup of 110 degree water to a sanitized jar.
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Add 2 teaspoons of sugar to the water and mix thoroughly.
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Add 2 packets of yeast (14 grams or 1 tablespoon if using bulk yeast).
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Swirl the glass to mix in the yeast with the sugar water.
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Let the glass sit for 20 minutes and it will double in size.
- Once the starter has doubled in size add it to the mash and aerate.
To learn more about yeast and fermentation check out our article on "Fermentation and Yeast".
Remember, it is illegal to distill alcohol at home for consumption. Do not do this.
In my 15 gal.mashes, I use 20 lb. sugar,7 teaspoons of bread yeast.you will also need some yeast nutrient,box of raisins or believe it or not small tomato paste. Most importantly airate well with mixer. Wii form a nice cap,and start a rapid ferment in hours. Most mashes all grain for whiskey,Rye and corn Vodka.
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How many packets would you put in 50 gal of mash?
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ANyone out there with experience in making premium shine, inbox me for details about a business opportunity. Thanks!
ok so i am not really new at this as we have been making shine now for awhile but this week we have had a few issues. We ran out of Daddy yeast and we had some turbo. We went ahead a used a whole package of turbo yeast for a 5 gallon bucket of sugar mash. I used 5 lbs of sugar in the bucket. The bubbler went crazy the first 2 days and now it is stopped. I read somewhere this morning that you should not use Turbo yeast in shine so i decided to make a different batch (I have not dumped the bucket out yet), Question, is this still ok and is it true you should not use Turbo?
I went ahead and decide to make another batch in another 5 gallon bucket. I dont have any yeast so i went to the grocery store and got bread yeast. It says to use 2 packets so that is what i did. Again i have a 5 gallon bucket, 5 lbs of sugar and 2 packets. I I started the yeast in a half cup of 110 degree water and 2 tsp of sugar until it doubled and dumped it in the bucket with my new bucket of sugar mash mixture. It has not started to bubble. What did i do wrong? I have 2 buckets of sugar water with yeast. What do i do??? Please please help me
aMazing how the container doubles in size?!
Clawhammer, i need some help brother ,How much flechmans yeast to run a 15 gallon ,15 pounds of sugar batch of shine ?
Thanks
Hi Emmet
I still haven’t seen in the blogs how much yeast to use ? The best i can see or work out is 10 grams per litre of mash. I was using turbo but have just started my first one with bread yeast . I will let you know how it goes.
Cheers Shane
this is the first time distilling i thought i go with a simple sugar shine batch to start with your recipe calls 5 gallons of water and 8 pounds of white sugar nothing is stated about yeast i read about the starter yeast please give my a little more detail from there do i add the starter to the 5 gallons of 70 degree and the 8 pounds of sugar a little more step by step please i plan on using bread yeast is that a good starting place?
I have trouble on my bread yeast and sugar fermEntation , anyone please help me, I TRY TO FERMENT 5liters of water on 2 kilo gram of sugar,1 table spoon of yeast .. I wait almost 5 hours but still there no bubble on my airlock and then I leave it and then I wait again days, but still my theres no bubble showing and no foam forming inside the fermentor bottle .. now its almost two weeks now still the same ..am I going to throwthis and change a new one? Guys please help me ,, any suggestion please coz I dont want to waste … one question .. I am FERMENTing sugar wine for almost a month now but still no foam and bubbles come out and it has still noise on the fermentor bottle if im going to distilled this still it can produce alcohol?
Hi Guys
I’m a novice at this and enjoy all the questions, but there are no answer
Would really be nice
how much bread yeast tomato paste and how much lemon for 5 gallons
Hi, Paul,
your best bet is to check with your hydrometer as I have found that if your mash is only bubbling every 30 secs. or so then your mash is probably ready or as ready as its going to be. because of your low temp.You could try putting your mash somewhere warmer for a couple of days,see if you get any response, if not rack it
@Paul, Hi there i saw your question regarding the fermentation of your wodka mash. i would recommend to just let it sit till basically no more bubbles come. it is quite odd in my opinion that after 36 days still bubbles come but that is not bad or anything. do not add any extra yeast because for as far as i know that will not work well. best is just to wait. how much yeast did you add in the first place ?
Kind regards,
sam
Could someone please help I have made 23lt of Vodka sugar mash for the first time,1 full packet of Prestige Professional Vodka Yeast Blend with AG,and 8kg of sugar.The problem is its have not stopped bubbling and today is the 36th day,it bubbles every 30 seconds.the temp is 18c ,i am in Ireland so its not that warm this time of year.
I would like to know if the mash is ruined,do I just have to wait,or can I add more yeast or anything to speed the process .
Someone please reply.
Thanks.
Very interesting and informative ,
never done any of this before wish i could knew an old timer i could learn from but i dont know of any so im teaching myself just got a small 3 gallon still kit off eBay once i get the hang of it i want to get one of yours but how much mash do i use? do i fill it up or only go halfway? any info will be greatly appreciated thanks!
Hello y’all
I’ve been making moonshine for abot three years straight. My biggest feat was not making enough out of one batch. I bought a 3 gal batch still out of eBay. I have a 55 gal plastic drum that I filled with 20 gal of mash. For the 5 gal mashes I had in the past I used I pachet of fleshmans yeast and weilded great results I’m now making 20 gallons of the same mash but will use 4 packets in stead of one. It does great and I’ve the tried turbo yeast. The secret is raisons and I added corn starch as well. It gives the yeast something to eat off of instead of just the sugar. Which keeps it alive longer which gives u more alcohol. It’s so cheap and easy after a few days I just add more yeast just to make sure. I’ve gotten great results and do not see a need for turbo yeast. Yeah the avb is a little higher but for the price and waiting it, to me, isn’t worth it. I got 5 percent with bread and 8 for turbo but turbo was way expensive and I had to order it. Yeast gets 4 and a half in my book and I suggest it to anyone making shine or whisky.
If you use turbo yeast and keep a bit of tails to grow you own, would this be the best of all worlds?