TVarmy
Well-Known Member
I'm thinking of trying my first mead, but I'm curious about what I should know first. I skimmed the chapter on mead in Papazian's book, and I thought it made mead-making sound like a lot of fun. However, I figured I could get some more current advice from this group.
I liked the sound of his prickly pear mead, but this far north, cactus fruit is rare and expensive. Any good recipes for a first time mead maker that would work well with affordable NJ fruits? I'm thinking maybe blueberries?
Also, how much does a 3 or 5 gallon batch of mead usually cost? I'm thinking I'll be going to either my homebrew store or farmer's market to buy that much honey. I already have yeast nutrient, campden tablets, and yeast energizer.
And should I use a 6 gallon fermenter for 5 gallons of mead, or is my 5 gallon carboy (which I use for wine-ish recipes) safe? Does it develop any sort of krauzen?
And do all mead recipes take about 6 months a year to condition? I'm thinking I'd like to make a mead for this Halloween to throw a Wickerman party.
Sorry for all the questions. I just don't want to go in blind. My late father made a batch, and it was disappointing by my mom's account, so I don't want to blow a lot of ingredients.
I liked the sound of his prickly pear mead, but this far north, cactus fruit is rare and expensive. Any good recipes for a first time mead maker that would work well with affordable NJ fruits? I'm thinking maybe blueberries?
Also, how much does a 3 or 5 gallon batch of mead usually cost? I'm thinking I'll be going to either my homebrew store or farmer's market to buy that much honey. I already have yeast nutrient, campden tablets, and yeast energizer.
And should I use a 6 gallon fermenter for 5 gallons of mead, or is my 5 gallon carboy (which I use for wine-ish recipes) safe? Does it develop any sort of krauzen?
And do all mead recipes take about 6 months a year to condition? I'm thinking I'd like to make a mead for this Halloween to throw a Wickerman party.
Sorry for all the questions. I just don't want to go in blind. My late father made a batch, and it was disappointing by my mom's account, so I don't want to blow a lot of ingredients.
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