I just started a 5 gallon batch and a 1 gallon. Recipes are:
5 gallon batch of plain mead:
18lb local honey
1 pack ec1118,
Yeast nutrient half tsp per gallon
1 tsp yeast energizer
Filtered water to make 5 gallons.
Currently bubbling away ferociously and smelling delicious. Starting gravity of 1.110.
1 gallon batch:
3lb honey
Half pack ec1118
Yeast energizer
Yeast nutrient
Large bottle POM
Water to make 1 gallon.
Starting gravity 1.090.
I'm planning on stirring twice daily for the first 4 days to oxygenate, adding more nutrient and energizer on day 2, 4 and 6. I'll also have to feed more honey if I want it to finish slightly sweet, or maybe dry it out and add zyletol, not sure yet.
When I transfer to secondary the 'plain' mead will be divided into 1 3 gallon and 2 one gallons, the one gallons will be flavoured, one orange spice, one vanilla.
I didn't have much choice on the yeast, no where around here sells anything but ec1118, and this time of year shipping takes forever. I know it has mixed reviews for mead, but I though I would give it a try, and look into more yeasts for my next batch.
Anything stand out as terribly wrong? Any advice would be appreciated.
5 gallon batch of plain mead:
18lb local honey
1 pack ec1118,
Yeast nutrient half tsp per gallon
1 tsp yeast energizer
Filtered water to make 5 gallons.
Currently bubbling away ferociously and smelling delicious. Starting gravity of 1.110.
1 gallon batch:
3lb honey
Half pack ec1118
Yeast energizer
Yeast nutrient
Large bottle POM
Water to make 1 gallon.
Starting gravity 1.090.
I'm planning on stirring twice daily for the first 4 days to oxygenate, adding more nutrient and energizer on day 2, 4 and 6. I'll also have to feed more honey if I want it to finish slightly sweet, or maybe dry it out and add zyletol, not sure yet.
When I transfer to secondary the 'plain' mead will be divided into 1 3 gallon and 2 one gallons, the one gallons will be flavoured, one orange spice, one vanilla.
I didn't have much choice on the yeast, no where around here sells anything but ec1118, and this time of year shipping takes forever. I know it has mixed reviews for mead, but I though I would give it a try, and look into more yeasts for my next batch.
Anything stand out as terribly wrong? Any advice would be appreciated.