Brewing Hard / Alcoholic Kombucha 

Flip tops that can stand the pressure!

I like growlers with flip tops, less tedious than using small 16oz bottles.

Thanks! I was thinking of doing that next! Some notes on what I’ve done before: F1: I use the brewers edge and make tea as usual and do F1 in the same vessel. I have a different video where I go over some of the larger vessels I’ve used, any of those will work! Nice that all of those have lids/holes for airlocks to move into F2. I stopped the F1 a little early just so it isn’t too acidic for the champagne yeast. F2: add the yeast and sugar per this hard kombucha video. I think it was a whole packet of yeast for 5 gallons. I do think I prefer to do the fruit in F2 so you don’t have fruit chunks in the bottles, plus the extra sugar really gets the yeast active. Then seal up and put an airlock on it. I let F2 go 2 weeks. Bottling: I used flip-top growlers. I didn’t need to add extra sugar in the bottle and still got good carbonation, but might want to do some trial and error here. Extra sugar will definitely help get it more bubbly! I think I’ll try doing half of the bottles with extra sugar/ half without and compare to see which I like better. I’ll have to get started soon, miss having this on hand!

Yeah juice is easiest for flavoring! The bottles eventually will need to be refrigerated. The bottles can explode. Of other things- I’ve had some aging for ~6 months before and the flip top lids were starting to fail from the pressure buildup.

I use the brewers edge mash and boil. Here’s the manufacturer link: www.williamsbrewing.com/Home-Brewing-Equipment/Wort-Making-Equipment/All-In-One-Wort-Making-Machines/Mash-Boil/Brewers-Edge-Mash-Boil I’ve seen them range from $250-$350 though, might want to shop around a bit.

Here’s a link to the lid Airtight One Gallon Standard... www.amazon.com/dp/B08DG95YWR?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share And yes the starter was liquid from scoby hotel. I top it off each time.

Usually about 20 mins is enough. If you don’t see a good amount of foam on the top, you can try waiting longer to see if it eventually comes. If it still doesn’t, try again with a different packet.

Makes me wish I held on to my stir plate and beacon from my beer brewing days

Yeah I should get on it, got to beekeeping recently and haven’t been doing as many fermentations/vids!

The jar used in in the F2 isn’t pressure rated or anything, all the CO2 will escape through the airlock. You do need fermentation grade bottles after the F2 stage.

@@kombuchakev8052 Ah good! Thank you! I have the fermentation grade bottles, but only a regular gallon jar for that middle step. I've been wanting to try hard kombucha, but wasn't sure what else I needed. Thanks!

Yes, that’s completely normal. Those are yeast strands and the sediment at the bottom is also yeast.

Here’s what I used Airtight One Gallon Standard... www.amazon.com/dp/B08DG95YWR?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Paksh Novelty 1-Gallon Glass Jar... www.amazon.com/dp/B01DWR75W8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Red Star Premier Blanc Wine Yeast - Pack of 12 - North Mountain Supply Fresh Yeast www.amazon.com/dp/B08FTKCBQJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_DWKVBC79B5X4AWGPWM98?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Kombucha supplies: Fermentaholics Organic Kombucha... www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7S1CV5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Organic Positively Tea Company,... www.amazon.com/dp/B00GA0QVMA?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Not sure, some people say it’s fine, but I just stuck with glass/stainless steel to be on the safe side.

Maybe to some extent, probiotics don’t do well in alcohol-rich environments. It does have some benefits that kombucha has, like antioxidants. Still more healthy than a beer though!

Amazon, great deal, case of 6 for $75! Beer Bottles - 2 L Amber Flip-Top Palla Growlers - Case of 6 www.amazon.com/dp/B074D9V9SN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_1SR6XJR8W55XJT8RNKHZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Yes, as long as it’s 304 stainless steel

Interested to hear how you do it! More than one way to skin a cat! For this gallon batch video, I did the flavoring in the bottle as that is what most bottlers are familiar with. I’ve also strained, like in my kegging hard kombucha video. Either way works.

I’ve aged bottles ranging from just a couple weeks to 6 months once. I usually just keg though, which I just put on tap right away instead of aging.

@@kombuchakev8052 I used the Big Book of Kombucha by Hannah Crumb and it seems to work but her direction says 30-45 days to ferment it! I’m beginning to think she doesn’t know much about some things like namely fermenting for alcohol because the yeast is usually done at the 15 day stage and I don’t think they will find much sugar left in there for the rest of time….Then she has some weird recipe for Tapache that doesn’t work…tried twice! I am on my new 7th bottling of sparkling wine and this next one will be a Strawberry (and other berry flavors) Kombucha champagne if you will!

Haha it was a crummy webcam, audio was through that as well, not the best quality at all

It’s a sanitizer. You don’t have to use this though. Some people just use distilled vinegar or sanitize other ways. Five Star - 6022b_ - Star San - 32 Ounce - High Foaming Sanitizer www.amazon.com/dp/B0064O7YFA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_41E3JQ5E4G22PE6NHYTJ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

@@kombuchakev8052 how much do you put in there? Never used an air lock before.

@@franchescawetter8423 your airlock should have a line showing where to fill it to. If not, halfwayish should work.

Yeah agree, it sucks! Content is there though, (if you can hear it!)

It’s fine!

Hope this helps :) 1) yeast 2) sugar 3) airlock

I've only been making kombucha for a year & greatly appreciate his tips! Not everyone makes informative videos the same. Kev, keep putting content out. You're always going to have a few that will find something to fuss about.

primary is with fruit first. I can see what you mean. wonder how it would come out doing it with fruit first but he added the fruit to add sugars to carbonate this interesting brew.

No one made you watch them. I hope your day gets better!