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Hello, I am definatly new and had some questions on this model. We are moving to California and intend to start a commercial distillery, working with craft vodkas for the commercial market, providing we can find an acceptable permitable space to work from. We intend to run large stripping batches from one or multiple 60 gal Georgia stills and then a purifying run followed by a refining run. We are looking at this model for the last two stages. The three units total to start. What is the time for a run on these units assuming we are running the strip at 130-140 prf.?
We are looking at starting with turbo beer at 18-20 to run through the 60 gal unit. It has minor reflux from two tubes and no packing, hence the 130-140prf, but is very fast at 4 gal per hr on a strip. Keep in mind we have to get pure enough for govt regs.
Anyone with solid experience?
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Bob, No help to your question, but where in Ca. are you moving to?
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Sonoma most likely. I thought I saw some pics from someone that had a PSII high capacity set up. I'm not sure they would ever start with the strip from a large still, but I would be interested in seeing if they had some times vs quantity and content working the PSII high with 18-20%. Can't find the pics now.
Doing basic estimates on equiment costs, licenses, consumables, and time. Most of our funds are going to wind up in post production treatment, and proprietary treatment equipment, so the less general equipment expense on the start the better.
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Spent some spare time chasing permit info.
Now let me say first I have no problem paying tax, buying permits, or keeping acurate records. I intend to comply.
Aside from the 2 Grand to Uncle each year, and the $15.50 tax per gallon, the bond, the form time, the samples and label aprovals, it looks like they pretty much don't care, as long as you intend to have a business. They seem to be helpful folks realizing your tax dollars are allocated to them to assist you in commercial ventures.Forms are all easy to get to, etc.
Then there is the STATE, in this case Cali. Well these folks have ignored repeated emails. I would say that one could have gotten away from them but not 2 or more. There is a requirement to own the land or have a minimum 2 year lease BEFORE submitting the forms. They have two types of licences on-sale and off-sale They don't explain anywhere, the meanings or process of thier system. A process is a closed loop, and they have no clue what that is, or how to document it. Apparently from what meager information there, they require a still permit, and a distillers permit. Cheap going in at $100 US but $475 or something every year following. ,read that as taxation without information, Lots of funny little rules but it looks more like they gave someone busy work instead of making rules that did anything for anyone. Website says nothing about a per gallon or per bottle state tax, but seeing that we are dealing with whats there, thats probably the webpage they forgot to upload or something. Once I get local to the regional office we will be having a few face to face meetings and discussing some things through our elected officials. Woe to the distiller who would employ anyone. ,that is actually supply jobs to people that could use them,
So far it looks like about 18 grand to set up with very barest of bare basics, before the cost of building, bottling, ingredients, supplies, advertising and getting distribution. You won't get a small business loan for distilling. Well it might happen depending on your banking history and assets.
Then of course without a name you will get stocked on the bottom shelf with the junk so you better have a plan on how to get past that. Figure on sales to be crap for the first three years.
Will follow up with more on this ordeal as it unfolds. Its possible that one may need to set up for E85 then make the transition to commercial fuel and then spirits. I know law can not get changed without case history so document everything.
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Bob,
Sounds like a little frustration.... There is a company here in Florida called Empire. They are doing exactly what you are trying to do in CA. Over the last 3 years their business model has blossomed into a very strategic and viable corporation. Notice the word coporation. They do unique spirits and sell them to the tourist area liquor stores. Keep in mind tourism in California as well as in Florida is BIG business. They use kit wine as their basis for their spirits. It took them 3 months to get their federal permits, than 8 weeks for labeling, Florida had no laws for them so they made them a manufacturer, check CA law on this. Keep this in mind that setting up a federal approved distillery is a serial process!!! Do not try to make it a serial process.
I would look at how QMS is set up in Napa. They distill wine into Brandy and are fully licensed in CA.
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 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
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hello admin. i have searched your website over and i cant find where you would sell a larger pot keg i purchased the EEII and was wanting 10 gallon or 15 gallon keg can you help??
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 Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
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The lowest cost option for a 15 gallon kettle is a beer keg, as they are much more inexpensive than a custom 15 gallon kettle, are easily found, and will allow for direct attaching of our columns without modification.
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 Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
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" Originally Posted by: Admin  The lowest cost option for a 15 gallon kettle is a beer keg, as they are much more inexpensive than a custom 15 gallon kettle, are easily found, and will allow for direct attaching of our columns without modification. ++++++++++1"
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