You mentioned something about getting rid of bacteria in fruit for making brandy. Well as a homebrewer heat is what will sterilize it but it must be cooled before adding the yeast and I would try using a high alcohol tolerance liquid wine or belgian style beer yeast which can be purchased through any homebrew shop. Supermarket bought dry yeast won't yield more than 3 or 4 percent ABV at best. Also want to mention replacing cane sugar with corn sugar. It won't be so hot on the tongue and cidery so to speak