William's California Brandy is an advanced kit for making authentic Brandy with electric distilling equipment like the Mash & Boil, Grainfather, or Robobrew/Brewzilla. This kit produces a 5 gallon wash with a starting gravity of around 1.100, which when fermented and then distilled, results in 9 to 10 twelve ounce bottles of 80 proof brandy. The wash is easy to make, just mix the concentrated varietal juice with water and add the yeast. Aging time for optimum flavor is 2 years in beer bottles with Toasted Oak Sticks inserted.
This is an advanced kit intended for brewers who own distilling equipment like the Mash & Boil, Brewzilla, Digiboil, or Grainfather. Besides these items, you will also need an optional distilling lid, pot still distilling column, and an Alcometer or Proof & Tralle hydrometer.
Click HERE to download the instructions in pdf format.
Includes 192 ounces of California varietal wine concentrate, Toasted European Oak Sticks (put two in each 12 ounce beer bottle, and wine yeast.
DISTILLING AND THE LAW: Distilling alcohol without a license is currently illegal in the United States. The customer is responsible for checking all State and Federal laws regarding distillation before ordering, and obtaining the proper licenses from local authorities.
Mar 23, 2023 by Scott D Dillon
Q: More an FYI then a question. I'm 2 weeks in and fermentation has stopped. The SG is at 1.001. When fermentation initially started it was very vigorous and can say I've never it seen it acting that quickly with other washes. Thumbs up on this one.
A: Thanks for the update
Apr 07, 2022 by Dan
Q: What kinda oak is included? French or American? Medium toast? No char? Are the sticks available to buy separately?
A: French oak, medium toast. Currently the sticks are only in our kits, as it is a lot of labor to go through them and find ones that fit a beer bottle. We do have medium toast French Oak Cubes, although these do not fit in a beer bottle (item A23 on our site).
Aug 25, 2021 by Scott Harding
Q: What type of grape or mixture of grapes is in the "California varietal" concentrate?
A: Currently it is a mix of Merlot, Viognier, and Zinfandfel, but this can change.
Cali Brandy Kit
A bit skeptical at first, but the kit surprised me. Fermentation was rapid and was ready after 2 weeks. Ran it and got 9 pints ranging from 130 proof to 90 proof before I ran into the tails. Now it's a matter of deciding how to dilute and store in the barrel, so I haven't tasted it yet, but not worried.
Clear Instructions, Easy Kit
Probably the best spirit I've made so far. Really easy and clear instructions. Good quality oak. Dunno what the "wine" is supposed to taste like for brandy, but this one wasn't my favorite. Definitely looking to pick another one up if they go on sale (as $70 is a bit steep in the world of distillation).