I need some advice on how to mass produce homebrew and the laws around it

[bobbeerbaron]

Me and a friend came across several large metal drums at the local dump which we bought off the owner for no particular reason other then keeping them for future use as i knew we could use them for something at some point.
Whilst in my friends garage i noticed he had seventy kilos of brewers yeast which was given as a gift at some point that's when we stumbled on the idea that it's a recession and pub prices are way too high.
What i'd like to do is have the recipe of how to make large amounts of potato spirit, wine, cider and beer and would like to know what we would need to make these as me and my friend have no experience at all but have the space and we are keen.
What are the laws regarding making large amounts, is there a certain amount that if we do not go over we don't have to pay tax? What is this amount and how much tax do we need to pay if we decide to go over?
One more thing what insurance do we need to get to cover ourselves in case someone becomes very ill or worse?
Another last thing is there a non flammable way of making a large amount as the garage is pretty close to the house and would prefer to avoid any explosions or turning my home into a towering inferno.
I'll be happy to now take your questions, advice and any critisizms.
Bob.

[scotman]

Pick one of these, buy a kit and start

http://www.google.co....cial&client=firefox-a

[ChuckFickens]

This sounds very dodgy!

anyhow, you want to use barrels from a dump and you've no idea what they have been previously used for??!?

Also your concern for insurance looks like you would be planning to distribute it? and you just happen to have 70KG of yeast! sounds like you are setting up a bootlegging operation!

[Postdog]

Troll?

Whatever, drink prepared in drums found at a dump!!!

Where are you, Dale Farm?

[bobbeerbaron]

Scotman thanks for your answer but as i said we want to make a little more than a few bottles and store them.
Chuckfickens sorry i should've mentioned they came from a bread factory are and were used to store water stainless unscratched steel with no sign of corrosion or limescale and were thoroughly washed by the dump owners and will be further washed by us and disinfected and NO nothing illegal at all hence me asking our legal status. We hold a lot of parties and bbq's over the Fireworks night, Halloween, xmas and new years so this would be a cost effective way to ensure maximum refreshment at minimum cost.
Postdog no we're in west london, why?

[hc4361]

You can't distil alcohol without a rectifier's licence (Alcoholic Liquor Duties Act 1979 s18(1)).
If you do and are caught you will be liable to pay the duty on the alcohol in the spirits you make (currently £19.56 per litre) and to pay a fine of whichever is the greater of £250 and 5% of the duty payable. (Finance Act 1994 s9(2)).

[bobbeerbaron]

Hc4361 to say im a little confused is an understatement. Do you get a free temporary rectifiers licence with the diy alcohol kits if not whats the angle?

[hc4361]

My post refers to distillng spirts. You can't buy spirits kits

[bobbeerbaron]

Yes you can which is what I've just found out courtesy of scotmans link.
The spirits here are 21 vol, what percent is that?

http://www.the-home-b..._and_Spirit_Kits.html

Probably doesn't matter as you get between 1-5 gallons here, I didn't know you could make spirits so i think I'll just get one of these kits instead to not get myself in any potential legal, health or explosive or combustable problems.
Thanks all.

[hc4361]

That is not a spirit. Spirits are distilled and not fermented. Spirits are normally above 35%.

[johnk]

You can only homebrew for personal consumption. Anything sold incurs a ton of beaurocracy and taxes.