Kvass - Old World Homebrew

By MJH

Kvass is a fermented drink very similar to beer, except instead of being made from grain, it is made from bread, which, of course, is made from grain. Typically a person might wait until bread got hard and stale, rendering it virtually unusable for normal bread purposes. Then you mix it with hot water and add whatever flavoring you want, whether mint, honey, hops, spices, or herbs.

Ingredients

• 1 loaf dry dark rye bread (approx 24 slices)
• 1-1/2 gal boiling water
• 3 c sugar
• 2 pkgs yeast
• 1/4 c golden raisins

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from natashaskitchen.com

Preparation

Step 1

Put bread in a tea towel & tie bundle securely with string.

Put bundle in crock & pour in boiling water. (optional) add whatever flavoring you want, whether mint, honey, hops, spices, or herbs.

Cover & let set until water is lukewarm. Remove bundle & let drip into clean pan.

Pour drip water back into crock, making sure no bread is in the water.

Add sugar, then yeast, stir & cover.

Set in a warm place 10 to 12 hours.

There will be a slight yeast settlement.

Pour the clear liquid into a jug & add raisins.

Cork the bottle or put a lid on the jar, but not too tightly, or the cork will blow.

Refrigerate for 5 days, then strain before serving.

Be sure to use air locks on your bottles or jug.

After a few days, fermentation will have ceased and you can rack it as much as you want until it is your preferred level of clarity, or drink it immediately.