Does anyone know of a good commercial mead? I have never had mead before, but have already made my first batch and would like to know if I should continue making it knowing that it might be a couple of years before it is drinkable.
I would like to try a commercial mead that would be a similar style to what I made, a dry mead:
I made a 3 gallon batch of mead with 9# of raw wildflower honey. I warmed it up to about 110 degrees and mixed it with warm water in the fermenter. Shook it until well mixed, let it cool down, and pitched cote de blanc. Let it ferment for about 6 or 7 months. It finished off right at .997. I tasted a sample while bottling and it had an astringent/medicinal flavor with a honey after taste. The honey notes were great, but it is honestly undrinkable at this time. My understanding is I should let it age for a year or so, where in lies the problem. If the stuff is good, I don't want to wait another couple of years before I can have more.
I would like to try a commercial mead that would be a similar style to what I made, a dry mead:
I made a 3 gallon batch of mead with 9# of raw wildflower honey. I warmed it up to about 110 degrees and mixed it with warm water in the fermenter. Shook it until well mixed, let it cool down, and pitched cote de blanc. Let it ferment for about 6 or 7 months. It finished off right at .997. I tasted a sample while bottling and it had an astringent/medicinal flavor with a honey after taste. The honey notes were great, but it is honestly undrinkable at this time. My understanding is I should let it age for a year or so, where in lies the problem. If the stuff is good, I don't want to wait another couple of years before I can have more.