Fermenter / Batch Fermentation

Question: Some vodka was sucked through my s airlock into my fermenter where i'm making apple wine. problem?

(Posted by: The Dude on 2010-01-26 19:16:08)

From what I can find online, the purpose of using vodka over water is that the vodka won't hurt the wine should this happen.

Posted by: sb on 2010-01-26, 22:52:27

The only thing that I would personally worry about in this situation is bumping the alcohol content above the point that it would kill the yeast, but I highly doubt that there was even enough at the end of the airlock to do that. At best, nothing will happen, at worst, I could see it being either a little 'off' or just a little on the sweeter side, as the yeast will hit that death point of abv before they naturally would have.

Posted by: Matt on 2010-01-26, 19:35:37

The main fear of most brewers and wine pressers is the fear of getting water or moisture somewhere in the airlock before/ during/ after fermentation (pre-secondary fermentation) because of bacteria and contaminants. Vodka kills all those bad things. You might, depending on the amount of vodka, have an off taste in the finished wine, or it could turn out to be totally rockin. I like vodka in everything. Hell, im gonna go put some vodka in my wine right now. Cheers!