Birch Sap Wine

[jacob marley]

just a gentle reminder if any of the Forum Alchofrolics want to make Birch Sap Wine the sap will be risinig any time now and you only have 2 weeks to catch it jacob

[Hazel at the Hill]

Not experienced enough to have a crack at that yet, JM - but I have the CJJ recipe for next year..........

[shirlthegirl43]

Need to find a birch tree

[SarzWix]

We've got a silver birch in the back garden, but I think I'd be a bit scaredy to try & tap it...

[jacob marley]

We've got a silver birch in the back garden, but I think I'd be a bit scaredy to try & tap it...

there is no problem with taping the tree if you have a thin plastic pipe find a drill bit just a bit smaller diameter and drill in to the tree about just past the bark about half a inch push the pipe into the tree an the other end into a demijon or some thing similar and stuff some coton wool around the pipe and this stops debree falling into container and when you have enough plug the hole in the tree and this will stop it bleeding to death enjoy it it is nice but it is a long time since i had any hope this helps jacob

[Birdie Wife]

Mmm, this was one of the first wines I tried, and it's one of the best too - gives a delicious wine not unlike a Chardonnay. Don't tap trees under about 9" in diameter and use the sap within 24hours of collecting - this might mean tapping more than one tree to get your gallon of sap. Tapping is easier than you think - I use a 10mm bit with a brace type drill because the plastic pipe I've got fits that size snugly. Watch for when the buds on the tree are really swelling, that means the sap is rising. Drill slightly upwards so the sap runs better, about a couple of inches into the tree is fine. Put your plastic pipe in and marvel (hopefully) at how much sap runs out! Afterwards, be sure to plug the tree up again with a wooden plug.

[SarzWix]

Don't tap trees under about 9" in diameter and use the sap within 24hours of collecting - this might mean tapping more than one tree to get your gallon of sap.

Hmmmm, might give it a miss this year then, our tree is still quite young probably borderline whether it's big enough, & I'm not sure where there are any more locally... I'll definately be keeping my eye open for them now though!

[Paul D84]

Do you have the recipe for this one as I might like to give it a go when the time comes round again.

[Polly Fouracre]

1 gallon birch sap
2 lemons and 1 orange
half a pound raisins
3lbs. sugar or if you prefer 2 pints of honey
yeast

Thinly peel orange and lemons and boil in the birch sap for 20 minutes.Add enough water to bring back to 1 gallon then pour into a fermenting bucket containing sugar/honey and chopped raisins.Stir until dissolved and when cool add yeast (a general purpose yeast will do) Ferment as usual.
(C.J.J. Berry's Amateur Winemaking Recipes)