Hi guys.
I'm ready to make mead for the first time, but like so many other newbies out there, I'm not quite sure which kind I want to make w/out tasting them. Unfortunately, the only one I've tried was a commercial "wine-like" still mead that basically tasted like a dry, honey flavored wine. It was ok, but I've always thought most mead was sparking and had more of a beer taste and appearence. I can't seem to find any more styles at the local liquor stores.
I have a full gallon of local honey (which I believe is enough to make 5 gallons of mead...is this correct or not?). I would like some input on whether or not it's a bad idea to make a basic recipe with the entire batch, and then at some point after the pasturization split it into 5 one gallon batches and try something different w/ each one...ie...melomel for one of them, adding malt to another, maybe spices to a third, etc. etc...and carbonating some as well. Five gallons of one style of mead that I don't care for seems like such a waste of time and $$. Is this a bad idea?
Does anyone have any recomendations for me of different styles and recipes that I could try? I know I'm probably going to hear the "you should make 5 seperate batches instead of splitting it" advice which is fine...I'm not trying to be lazy, but my time comes at a premium these days. Please site the specifec recipe or web page where you found them if you have any favorites.
Thanks in advance to all who help.
I'm ready to make mead for the first time, but like so many other newbies out there, I'm not quite sure which kind I want to make w/out tasting them. Unfortunately, the only one I've tried was a commercial "wine-like" still mead that basically tasted like a dry, honey flavored wine. It was ok, but I've always thought most mead was sparking and had more of a beer taste and appearence. I can't seem to find any more styles at the local liquor stores.
I have a full gallon of local honey (which I believe is enough to make 5 gallons of mead...is this correct or not?). I would like some input on whether or not it's a bad idea to make a basic recipe with the entire batch, and then at some point after the pasturization split it into 5 one gallon batches and try something different w/ each one...ie...melomel for one of them, adding malt to another, maybe spices to a third, etc. etc...and carbonating some as well. Five gallons of one style of mead that I don't care for seems like such a waste of time and $$. Is this a bad idea?
Does anyone have any recomendations for me of different styles and recipes that I could try? I know I'm probably going to hear the "you should make 5 seperate batches instead of splitting it" advice which is fine...I'm not trying to be lazy, but my time comes at a premium these days. Please site the specifec recipe or web page where you found them if you have any favorites.
Thanks in advance to all who help.