Mead Time

insnekamkze86 · 09-05-2009, 02:47 PM

Hello there i was wondering how long does it usually take for a mead to finish being made using 12pounds of honey, is 6 months or can it be done sooner than that.
I made a simple mead like this before and i rush it and made it in two months and turned out good but was hazy from the honey not being fully cleared on its own.
I like the result i got even though i used a finishing agent so it would clear quicker and i wont do that anymore because it didnt clear the mead.

homebrewer_99 · 09-05-2009, 03:22 PM

Basically, you answered your own question.

Fementation, and all that goes with it, is a natural process that pretty much can't be altered without consequences.

As you already know from past experience...your consequence was cloudy mead.

However, I have noticed that if you use half the amount of honey in the same amount of water and it will clear faster because there is less sugar for the yeast to convert. And cold crashing does drop more yeast out of solution in a shorter time.

The trick is to try not to rush a schedule as much as it is to plan ahead.

What clearing agent did you use last time?

**jezter6** · 09-05-2009, 03:41 PM

Time is directly relational to the abv (ie: amount of honey).

Less honey = less time.
More honey = more alcohol = more time to age.

HB99's lemonade mead is supposedly very fast, and (from direct sampling) very very tasty.

One glass won't get you quite so screwed up as one glass of a standard strength mead, but man you can put down a LOT of it.

Hey HB - don't forget that awesome cider recipe :P

homebrewer_99 · 09-05-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jezter6

Time is directly relational to the abv (ie: amount of honey).

Less honey = less time.
More honey = more alcohol = more time to age.

HB99's lemonade mead is supposedly very fast, and (from direct sampling) very very tasty.

One glass won't get you quite so screwed up as one glass of a standard strength mead, but man you can put down a LOT of it.

Hey HB - don't forget that awesome cider recipe :P

As soon as you mentioned it I remembered I owe it to you...#8025 right?

This weekend PROMISE!!!

insnekamkze86 · 09-06-2009, 04:39 AM

k thanks i was just checking. I was wanting to know for when i go to make mead again after my batch of beer is done.

homebrewer_99 · 09-06-2009, 04:00 PM

Why not at the same time?

insnekamkze86 · 09-06-2009, 07:49 PM

because i only have one primary and secondary carboys. Also because i didnt have to the money to make both. I just moved to a different state so time and money is tight.

**rasherb** · 09-06-2009, 09:22 PM

Doing staggered nutrient additions can cut the time to finish/clear as well. I just did a batch of 3lb honey in 1 gal with nutrient additions and it cleared in 4 weeks no problem.

insnekamkze86 · 09-06-2009, 09:36 PM

k kol i usually make my batchs as 6 gallons with 12lbs of honey.

homebrewer_99 · 09-06-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insnekamkze86

because i only have one primary and secondary carboys. Also because i didnt have to the money to make both. I just moved to a different state so time and money is tight.

I thought as much when I was typing it in...

Now we know what you want for Christmas...more equipment!!!