Turkeyfoot Jr.
Well-Known Member
First a little background. Ive been homebrewing for almost two years now. Ive done extract, PM and just recently completed my 6th AG batch. When I first started out I made one batch of mead that I ended up pitching and Ill admit that it probably could have been salvaged had I known more about meads. Im ready to give mead another try and I want to make sure I do it right.
I have 3 1-gallon glass jugs and my intention is to make 2 1-gallon batches, saving the third jug for racking. For these first two batches Im planning to do very simple meads, just honey, yeast and water, and the only difference will be either the amount of honey or the type of yeast. My LHBS has the following yeasts available:
Lalvin KIV-1116 12-14% tolerance
Lalvin EC-1118 18% tolerance
Red Star Montrechet 8-10% tolerance
Red Star Pasteur Champagne 12% tolerance
Red Star Premier Cuvee tolerance not listed
They may have more varieties but this is whats on their web site.
Some of the questions I have are:
1. Of the yeasts listed which would be the best for a mead? Are there any that I should absolutely not use?
2. For the two batches which variable should I adjust, the amount of honey or the yeast? Ive read that the amount of honey in a mead should be between 2-3lb. per gallon of water so Im thinking of doing one batch with 2lb. and the other with 3lb. to see what the difference is. Ive also read that the yeast can make a big difference so if some of the yeasts listed above could impart different aspects to the mead Im tempted to use 2.5lb. of honey per gallon for both batches and just switch the yeast.
3. What exactly does yeast nutrient and energizer do for you? Nutrient is kind of self explanatory, but how critical is it? I would like to stick as close as possible to a simple and authentic recipe, meaning nothing but honey, yeast and water, but if the nutrient and/or energizer are truly critical I will use them.
4. How do I go about making the mead? Ive read to mix up the honey, nutrient and energizer with hot tap water until it dissolves, cool slightly and pitch. Ive ready to heat your water to 180F, mix the honey nutrient and energizer until it dissolves, cool and pitch. Ive read to boil the honey, nutrient and energizer for 10 minutes, cool and pitch. Are all of these valid? Do they each offer something different to the end product?
Thanks in advance for all the help.
I have 3 1-gallon glass jugs and my intention is to make 2 1-gallon batches, saving the third jug for racking. For these first two batches Im planning to do very simple meads, just honey, yeast and water, and the only difference will be either the amount of honey or the type of yeast. My LHBS has the following yeasts available:
Lalvin KIV-1116 12-14% tolerance
Lalvin EC-1118 18% tolerance
Red Star Montrechet 8-10% tolerance
Red Star Pasteur Champagne 12% tolerance
Red Star Premier Cuvee tolerance not listed
They may have more varieties but this is whats on their web site.
Some of the questions I have are:
1. Of the yeasts listed which would be the best for a mead? Are there any that I should absolutely not use?
2. For the two batches which variable should I adjust, the amount of honey or the yeast? Ive read that the amount of honey in a mead should be between 2-3lb. per gallon of water so Im thinking of doing one batch with 2lb. and the other with 3lb. to see what the difference is. Ive also read that the yeast can make a big difference so if some of the yeasts listed above could impart different aspects to the mead Im tempted to use 2.5lb. of honey per gallon for both batches and just switch the yeast.
3. What exactly does yeast nutrient and energizer do for you? Nutrient is kind of self explanatory, but how critical is it? I would like to stick as close as possible to a simple and authentic recipe, meaning nothing but honey, yeast and water, but if the nutrient and/or energizer are truly critical I will use them.
4. How do I go about making the mead? Ive read to mix up the honey, nutrient and energizer with hot tap water until it dissolves, cool slightly and pitch. Ive ready to heat your water to 180F, mix the honey nutrient and energizer until it dissolves, cool and pitch. Ive read to boil the honey, nutrient and energizer for 10 minutes, cool and pitch. Are all of these valid? Do they each offer something different to the end product?
Thanks in advance for all the help.