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ceannt · 12-27-2010, 04:09 PM

oops.... yes, please use something else! wow what a shame... they smell so good too, one of my favorites. I always wanted to make some single malt whisky, and age it where Mountain Laurel grows.... maybe I should rethink that...

**fatbloke** · 12-27-2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewdogskip

I wish I could do a Mountain Laurel Honey mead, but I could die...
http://www.pickenscountyscbeekeepers.com/MLH.html
I guess a wildflower/blueberry melomel will have to do. I bought 15#'s of wildflower yesterday and am trying to decide how much blueberries to ferment. Any help appreciated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceannt

oops.... yes, please use something else! wow what a shame... they smell so good too, one of my favorites. I always wanted to make some single malt whisky, and age it where Mountain Laurel grows.... maybe I should rethink that...

Damn, you learn something new every day don't you. That's the first time I've heard reference to "toxic honey". I know that laurel is poisonous, but you don't associate the nectar etc with the main plant toxins do you.....

Ah well, s'pose the bitterness of the honey alluded to in brewdogskips link is worthy of recall though. After all, don't they say that human taste buds are good at warning us, that sweet is usually safe, bitter is dangerous (can't recall what salt/sour are supposed to tell us - apart from "yum yum" of course

).

regards

fatbloke

brewdogskip · 02-20-2011, 06:07 PM

Well just an update, my hiking plans are settled (hit the Trail on 4/6/11) and my mead is already finished fermenting. I ended up using about 15 #s of honey with 5 # of blueberries. I used staggered nutrient additions and it finished in about 10 days @ FG 0.999. Even this young, it tastes and smells very fragrant, surprisingly not hot to the tongue, and the color is a rich pink/purple. This is going to be a good one.

My plan is to leave it in a pressurized keg until I return and can bottle.

Here's some pics...

mixing it all up, bathtub gin style

2nd SNA and stirring, lots of activity and smells amazing!

DarkBrood · 07-25-2011, 01:28 PM

The northern end of the trail is loaded with blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries through Maine, fewer cranberries and more strawberries moving through NH. Lots of juniper, lavener, and wild herbs throughout the northern end of the AT too!

Rahahb · 07-26-2011, 01:00 PM

Is it possible those toxins could be broken down in the fermentation process?

Also, nice looking mead!

Jaysus · 07-26-2011, 01:04 PM

Lookin' good brewdog, I hope the trail magic is treating you well on your walk!

beersteiner2345 · 07-28-2011, 07:04 AM

Well, he should be fairly well up the trail now. Subscribing.

Wife and I have been picking away at the AT via thru hiking with the goal to do the whole thing. Our jobs will not allow a thru hike, but I can't even imagine how amazing it would be.

Also couldn't be away from my dogs that long. lol