Welcome to Diary of a Distiller. I am in the process of moving the content over from the old site. The biggest problem with moving the old content over is the photos. So the text will be here, but photos will have to slowly follow. Until then you can read the old content in the Archives.
You can also read my thoughts on my Journey on Enjoying Libations at: 
XML FeedsDiary of a Distiller: Chapter 29 - 75th Anniversary of Repeal Day
By JMF on Dec 5, 2008 | In Main | Send feedback »
Today is the 75th Anniversary of Repeal Day, a day of celebration and rejoicing of the end of one of this nations debacles in judgment, Prohibition. Although Prohibition only lasted for 13-14 years on a national level, it was in force for many decades prior in several states. Here in Maine it started in 1851.
I'm starting off my day with a business meeting of the Maine Winery Guild. Last year I kick-started the association into forming and this will be our third business meeting. Owners of most of Maine's 18+ wineries will be there. I also invited the owners of the State's micro-distilleries to attend, so we can decide whether to join the Maine Winery guild, or start a separate association. I know that after-wards a few of us will be celebrating Repeal Day by tasting each others products.
Diary of a Distiller: Chapter 28 - Happy Thanksgiving
By JMF on Nov 28, 2008 | In Main | Send feedback »
It's been quiet here at the winery the past week.We had our first snow and the temps have been in the 20's and even down to the 'teens at night. Mostly we have been prepping for the Holiday Season, repairing and hanging lights, bottling wine, and sprucing everything up. We're also hosting a Gingerbread House Competition at our culinary school and restaurant, Pairings, and lots of folks have been taking classes and coming by to work on their cakey homes.
I'm in NYC visiting family all week and going around meeting up with all my mixologist friends. It will take me all week to catch up on what's going on the the cocktail world. I missed all the fall cocktails and hope to try a few before the winter ones come onto all the menus. With luck I may still be able to sample the fall creations.
Diary of a Distiller: Chapter 27 - Getting Closer and Closer
By JMF on Nov 21, 2008 | In Main | Send feedback »
Over the weekend we finished installing new steam pipes and condensate returns for the brewery boiler. Late Saturday afternoon we fired the boiler up and it seemed to work fine. When we got in Monday to check on things, the sight glass on the brew kettle was broken. We think it probably had the wrong gaskets or some other small problem and cracked during the cool-down. We ordered a replacement, and some valves, and then we're set to start brewing.
Later Monday we got our first shipment of brewing ingredients: crushed malt, hops, yeast, and assorted adjuncts and fermentation nutrients. So as soon as we clear up the last little things we will be brewing beer!
Diary of a Distiller: Chapter 26 - Oops!
By JMF on Nov 14, 2008 | In Main | Send feedback »
This week went by very quickly, even though it was a six day week for me. On Monday I went in to the winery even though we were closed, so I could do some paperwork and research. The boiler guys showed up as well, to do some more work. They had to re-do a section of pipe work near the boiler where they hadn't tightened down the pipes enough and there were steam leaks. Tuesday we were closed as well for Veterans Day, but I was back again, doing more research and paperwork. I had the place to myself for most of the day and it was nice and quiet.
