Come visit us if you are in the area!
Address
619 E Park Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048
Business Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Saturday
11 am - 5 pm
Thursday & Friday
11 am - 7 pm
Sunday
11 am - 4pm
Your Destination for the Perfect Brewing Supplies: Beer, Wine, Cheese and More
Potassium Metabisulfite, (often referred to as "SO2", "sulfites" "meta", or "meta-bi") has several uses in winemaking. At the crush, sulfites are generally used to help control the spoilage bacteria and indigenous yeast that may already be present both on the fruit and in the winery (i.e. on the picking bins, processing equipment, tanks, tubing, etc).
The amount generally used is enough to inhibit most of the unwanted organisms but not enough to hinder a cultured yeast, which has a higher tolerance to sulfites than most of the indigenous organisms do. This inhibition effectively "wipes the slate clean" for the cultured yeast to step in and rapidly colonize the must so that it can effectively dominate the subsequent fermentation.
In addition, sulfites also help to inhibit the enzymatic browning of both musts and finished wines so that all of their delicate complexities can be preserved. Later, during storage and in the bottle, sulfites at the proper levels will further protect a wine by continuing to inhibit spoilage organisms, as well as by scavenging oxygen.
Note that the exact amount needed to effectively do the job is determined by the pH of the wine.
In addition, it's important to keep in mind that free SO2 levels fall faster in wood cooperage than in glass or stainless, so if you are using a barrel you will most likely need to manage sulfite levels more closely.
The most common form of Metabisulfite is as a powder which is fixed with potassium or sodium. 1/4 tsp of Potassium Metabisulfite adds 50ppm to 5 gallons of must. Old Metabisulfite loses potency with time and should be replaced every year to assure that you are getting correct levels. You can use old Metabisulfite to make solutions for sanitizing equipment.
Every employee, along with the owner especially, is not only knowledgeable but kind and helpful. I am a total amateur and this company made me feel welcome and excited to get back home and start brewing.
I've lived and brewed in many cities across the country, and Perfect Brewing has the best inventory and most knowledgeable and helpful people ever!
I have been ordering their kits for brewing beer since I started back in March 2020. I have never had a bad tasting kit. They have even given suggestions and been extremely helpful. I highly recommend them for any of your brewing or wine-making needs. Keep up the great work.
Come visit us if you are in the area!
Business Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Saturday
11 am - 5 pm
Thursday & Friday
11 am - 7 pm
Sunday
11 am - 4pm
Andy Denton
Shop Owner
Perfect Brewing Supply was founded many moons ago in a warehouse not so far away, providing equipment and ingredients by mail only. Shortly after, a shop was set up in Libertyville with a storefront for all to visit and talk to fellow homebrewers about their craft. Perfect Brewing Supply has added and adapted over the years, but one thing still remains the same: our commitment to being a great resource for knowledge, equipment, and ingredients for all your fermentation dreams and goals.
We have added many new things to our beer supply over the years. Things such as wine, cheese, soda, cider, coffee, and almost anything fermentable. We started offering many new services to the homebrew world. We added many shiny pieces of equipment available to our customers to rent. Some of these items include a canner (canned home brew?!), crusher / destemmer (for wine), pressing equipment for your wine or other fruits. We even added a space that you can ferment and lager your beer here at the shop in a temperature controlled environment.
Many of our customers and previous employees have gone on to start their own brewery or work for one. Together we can help you with your dream of taking your hobby to the next level. Many of our employees have completed a course at the prestigious Siebel Institute here in Chicago. With that we have the background to answer all of your fermentation questions.
It all starts with #greatfriendsbringhomebrew