So, about a month ago I stumbled upon a website that gave instructions on how to make a cheap, 1 gallon batch of mead. It sounded interesting, and being the bored and impulsive person I am, I went out that day and got the ingredients. Since then, I have been researching the process extensively and buying all the equipment I need to make a five gallon batch of strawberry melomel. I found a recipe that sounded good, and adjusted the ingredients. I'm shooting for a moderately sweet darker dessert wine, around 12-14% alcohol. I would appreciate any suggestions on my choice of ingredients, or anything else you may think of.
-5 lbs buckwheat honey
-4 lbs clover honey
-3 lbs raspberry honey blend
-15 lbs frozen strawberries
-Red Star Montrachet yeast (I read that it tends to bring out more color from the fruit).
-yeast energizer
-Irish moss- I'm not sure about this. I've heard it makes the mead extremely clear, but I also read some stuff about it stripping the flavor from the mead.
Clean and sterilize everything. Boil 3 gallons of water, remove from heat, immediately pour in honey and irish moss. Stir, and let cool. Add 15 lbs frozen strawberries to 6.5 gallon plastic pail. Pour must in plastic pail, and add enough water to reach 5 gallon mark. I was also thinking about trying to find strawberry juice to top it off with, but I'm not sure. Cool to pitching temperature, and add yeast starter and energizer. Airlock in plastic pail until strawberries are pale, pushing them down into the must every couple days. Remove strawberries and rack into glass carboy and add yeast energizer and put the airlock on.
Sorry for the long post, but I'm not a very patient person, and I would hate to make a bad batch. I want to make sure I get it right the first time.
Thanks for your help!
-5 lbs buckwheat honey
-4 lbs clover honey
-3 lbs raspberry honey blend
-15 lbs frozen strawberries
-Red Star Montrachet yeast (I read that it tends to bring out more color from the fruit).
-yeast energizer
-Irish moss- I'm not sure about this. I've heard it makes the mead extremely clear, but I also read some stuff about it stripping the flavor from the mead.
Clean and sterilize everything. Boil 3 gallons of water, remove from heat, immediately pour in honey and irish moss. Stir, and let cool. Add 15 lbs frozen strawberries to 6.5 gallon plastic pail. Pour must in plastic pail, and add enough water to reach 5 gallon mark. I was also thinking about trying to find strawberry juice to top it off with, but I'm not sure. Cool to pitching temperature, and add yeast starter and energizer. Airlock in plastic pail until strawberries are pale, pushing them down into the must every couple days. Remove strawberries and rack into glass carboy and add yeast energizer and put the airlock on.
Sorry for the long post, but I'm not a very patient person, and I would hate to make a bad batch. I want to make sure I get it right the first time.
Thanks for your help!