Vinegar Revival

RESOURCES

I encourage you to seek out specialty-food, kitchen, and brewing-supply shops in your area and find out if they stock, or can get, any of the items you’re looking for. You can also find most of the items listed at vinegarrevival.com or thebrooklynkitchen.com. And for your other vinegar-related questions, I am at your service and can be reached at 1-800-248-0513. Failing that, many of the items here can be found with a quick Internet search.

VINEGAR JUGS, POTS, AND BARRELS

Proper vinegar jugs and pots are easier to find in Europe than in the United States, but Ohio Stoneware makes a 2-gallon crock with a spigot that works well (ohiostoneware.com). When shopping for an oak barrel, look for the best quality you can find. You can buy one that’s already been charred (typically sold for aging spirits) or plain oak. If you live near a craft distillery, ask if they’re discarding any old barrels; ones that have aged spirits make perfect vinegar barrels. Querus Cooperage makes nice ones in New York state (qcooperage.com) or visit oakbarrelsltd.com or 1000oaksbarrel.com for a wide range of sizes and style.

PH METER AND STRIPS

Buy a real scientific meter, not a cheap knock-off. Hanna Instruments (hannainst.com) makes good ones.

JARS AND BOTTLES

Fillmore Container (fillmorecontainer.com) and SKS Bottle & Packaging (sks-bottle.com) are the best online sources. I like using Boston round bottles (also known as Winchester bottles) for storing and gifting vinegar.

HOMEBREW SUPPLIES, WINE THIEF,AND TITRATION TEST KITS

LD Carlson makes a simple titration kit like the one referenced on this page. Any homebrew supply should have it or be able to order it for you, or you can find it online. LD Carlson does not sell direct to consumer.

CANNING TOOLS

Purchase a canning kit that contains all the essential tools (any of the Ball basic canning kits). A stainless steel funnel is better than plastic for handling hot liquids.

BOOKS

There are a few handy books (other than this one) that I would recommend reading:

Baiocchi, Talia. Sherry. Emeryville, CA: Ten Speed Press, 2014.

Katz, Sandor. The Art of Fermentation. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2012.

Katz, Sandor. Wild Fermentation. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2016.

Malle, Bettina, and Helge Schmickl. The Artisanal Vinegar Maker’s Handbook. Austin, TX: Spikehorn Press, 2015.

Proulx, Annie, and Lew Nichols. Cider. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing, 2003.

Turkell, Michael Harlan. Acid Trip. New York: Abrams, 2017.

SHOPS

Here are some of my favorite stores across the country that carry good-quality vinegar. Ask your local grocery store to stock it; chances are you’re not the only customer who would buy it.

WEST

Healdsburg SHED

25 North Street

Healdsburg, CA 95448

healdsburgshed.com

Market Hall Foods

5655 College Avenue

Oakland, CA 94618

markethallfoods.com

Cowgirl Creamery

80 4th Street

Point Reyes Station, CA 94956