So here is where the whole “Trust The Process” thing is valid. I wasn’t feeling so confident about the ferment on this one. I was excited about a spontaneous ferment, but then doubted that it was actually that. The whole thing seemed a little flat and weak, but after doing several tests, pull 1 was at 11% and pull 2 is at 13.3%.

This isn’t to say I should always trust my gut, but this also shows that maybe I should trust the process more…and I will now that I have some other/better testing equipment. I picked up the Anton Parr refractometer and density reader and this will for sure help out.

I’m actually going to press soon as a result of this.

The smoke is sitting stronger in everything right now and the maple ebbs and flows. Sometimes it comes out more when it is cooler. I’ll add another round of candy caps into the secondary. I’ll have to play with timing though. I have a feeling that they might overpower really quickly. I’m thinking I might let the pressed sake rest for a few days then transfer some to a croc pot for some low and slow action….maybe also add in some sugar maple wood staves to try and pull down a bit of the smoke (maybe).