Hi all,
I'm working with limited space in planning a distillery, about 800 square feet. However, we have essentially unlimited space elsewhere (close by) where we will be milling to have a mash tun and maybe a fermenter or two. Point is that we are considering off site mashing. Any pros and cons you can suggest? Obviously energy, efficiency, extra costs in labor and possible contamination are ony mind. Has anyone done it? Have success or failure advice? Thanks!
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No expert, but since alcohol will be produced there, I'd imagine your off site space will need to be in your DSP license.
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A full tote will be in excess of a ton, probably closer to 2400-2500lbs - which means forklifts and if you are transporting yourself, a halfway decent pickup or even better, a trailer.
Fermenting in an off-site location? It better be a distillery or brewery, and you'll need to transfer in bond if you've fermented there.
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Curious as to why if you have near unlimited space nearby the whole operation isn't there?
Nearby being a very interpretive term, pipeline close?
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Valid question. Suffices to say the concept requires the still in our primary location.
I wish we could pipe it! But not an option. 
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Ferment sweet wort production but ferment within your DSP location.. Otherwise your recording transfer of ~8-10%ABV beer from what licenced/ bonded location?
Or - set up two separate licenced entities - a brewery & DSP.. DSP covers both & transfer from one to the other.
Thats my understanding & y'all welcome to correct me.
Reply:7 hours ago, sjwood3 said:
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Always wondered if there was a business to be made supplying low wines to small startups.
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All great perspectives. Certainly makes sense to transport lower volumes as well.
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Why not put a stripping still at your mashing location and transport low wines to the location where the spirit still is? this would decrease the amount of liquid that you are transporting by 67% at least.
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I say just go for it, no one is watching!
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If you have access to your own truck, I'd do it. If you are paying a trucking company to do it, I'd look at the costs per batch because it will add up over a year.
Before we got our vodka mashing process down I had another local distillery contract a few batches. I think it cost me about $70 one way to move the totes, and I pitched the yeast once they hit my loading dock just to make sure I was compliant with the regulations. If we continued that process it would have been about $140/week which quickly adds up to $7200 in yearly production costs.
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Has anyone confirmed whether the TTB is on board with this? I'm also considering this as an idea to reduce initial capital investment, but reading through the DSP regulations yesterday has me wondering if it's technically allowed. The CFR made it sound like mashing must be done under the DSP.
Reply:1 minute ago, BoydLabBuck said:
