Newest Threads

vmpolesov · 01-06-2008, 06:22 AM

Adapted from a this recipe, scaled down to 1 Gal. http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/drink/views/201058

3 lb. silverbow clover honey (comes in a miniature plastic milk jug)
1 Gal. water
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp yeast nutrient
1/2 packet red star Cote Des Blancs wine yeast

1 Gal. batch in a growler. Just messing around, seeing what I get.

vmpolesov · 01-07-2008, 02:41 AM

fermentation was going a little slow, so I added about an ounce of orange juice to see what it would do. harmless I figure, since other recipes call for zest of orange or even orange adjuncts. fermentation seems to have picked up.

malkore · 01-07-2008, 08:03 PM

you need yeast energizer in addition to the nutrient.
energizer = DAP
nutrient = other vitamins

vmpolesov · 01-08-2008, 05:12 AM

thanks for the tip, I'll definitely do that. hope it's not too late for this batch. It is fermenting pretty good now, maybe the OJ had some tasty stuff in it for the yeast.

next 1 gal batch I'll add yeast energizer. That's the good thing about small batches, if you screw up it's not the end of the world.

Dextersmom · 01-24-2008, 05:48 PM

why is it that you need to add yeast nutrients to meads but its not usually recomended with beers?

vmpolesov · 02-02-2008, 04:25 AM

It has to do with the chemistry of honey (lacking in nitrates or some other compounds that yeast need). However I have read some reference that say you can get by without it, it will just take longer.

After almost 1 month, this experimental 1 gallon batch is pretty darn good. I've never tried mead before, but I like this stuff. I'm using a wine thief to take samples from the secondary. I seem to keep taking more and more samples. The recipe I used for this calls to 2-4 weeks primary, and 1-4 months aging in secondary, however I don't know how much longer this batch will be around.

vmpolesov · 11-09-2008, 02:25 AM

I bottled this several months ago after it cleared, put it in the cupboard and basically forgot about it.

I just cracked open a bottle and man it is good stuff! It carbed somewhat in the bottle, so next time I'll wait longer to bottle it. A few ounces at a go is plenty for me. I could easily see getting plastered on this stuff if you didn't use moderation. It sneaks up on you.

I'm liking mead now. It just takes a while and you have to be patient, but this basic recipe turned out great.

**BigKahuna** · 11-09-2008, 02:53 AM

It is so freeken cool to bring these things full circle. There are a lot of recipe discussions here that are left open ended, and bland. This is Awesome. Congrats on the big new mead!

flyweed · 11-09-2008, 10:57 PM

I agree...I love hearing AND seeing about the finished product. Nothing drives me more crazy then a thread that sounds promising and then it just goes dead and you never hear about it again.

Dan

like2brew · 03-28-2009, 04:00 PM

this recipe sounds very easy. i'm beginning to start playing mad scientist with one gallon batches. i never tried a mead and this looks like one that is hard to mess up!