Hey, guys.
First of all, I'd like to state that this forum is an incredible resource, and full of some great information. Many thanks and kudos to those who have experimented and done multiple tests before me. Also, thanks everybody for being so helpful in general.
That said, I'm about to start my 4th (I know, not much at all) batch here, and I am really interested in a Strawberry Chocolate mead (or is it Chocolate Strawberry?) Not trying to clutter up the forum here, just thought I'd share in my adventures.
So, a few questions. First, I'm thinking about just adapting a previous recipe that I've found around here for a chocolate mead. I'm thinking either #35 from this thread, or the liquid sex chocolate mead I've found in multiple places, including here.
I'm leaning more towards the latter, and here's what I'm thinking.
Primary for 1 month:
3 lbs honey
3 oz unsweetened cocoa powder
1 - 1.5 lbs strawberries
water to 1 gallon
lalvin d47
Secondary for 1-2 months:
Rack over
.5 lb honey
1 lb strawberries
1/4 - 1/2 vanilla bean (possibly in a bag, so I can remove it if the vanilla starts smelling too strong)
Third-ary? for as long as it takes, back sweeten with honey / juice to taste.
I know I'm not really trying anything crazy with it, just adding vanilla and strawberries. I know it'll take a long freaking time until it's totally ready, but I plan on having enough to keep me busy in the mean time whilst I wait.
I'm planning on shooting for something around 9 - 11% ABV, nothing with too strong of an alcohol taste so it'll go down smooth.
I've already got the stuff to make it here at home, so I'm probably going to whip it up tomorrow sometime. I'll most likely post pictures, because I'm just obsessive like that.
If anybody's got any ideas or input, it'd be really helpful!
Edit: Also, if I wanted to use that mead calculator spreadsheet posted in the sticky, any idea how I should add the strawberries in there? Should I puree some and take a gravity reading, or would that be too much?
First of all, I'd like to state that this forum is an incredible resource, and full of some great information. Many thanks and kudos to those who have experimented and done multiple tests before me. Also, thanks everybody for being so helpful in general.
That said, I'm about to start my 4th (I know, not much at all) batch here, and I am really interested in a Strawberry Chocolate mead (or is it Chocolate Strawberry?) Not trying to clutter up the forum here, just thought I'd share in my adventures.
So, a few questions. First, I'm thinking about just adapting a previous recipe that I've found around here for a chocolate mead. I'm thinking either #35 from this thread, or the liquid sex chocolate mead I've found in multiple places, including here.
I'm leaning more towards the latter, and here's what I'm thinking.
Primary for 1 month:
3 lbs honey
3 oz unsweetened cocoa powder
1 - 1.5 lbs strawberries
water to 1 gallon
lalvin d47
Secondary for 1-2 months:
Rack over
.5 lb honey
1 lb strawberries
1/4 - 1/2 vanilla bean (possibly in a bag, so I can remove it if the vanilla starts smelling too strong)
Third-ary? for as long as it takes, back sweeten with honey / juice to taste.
I know I'm not really trying anything crazy with it, just adding vanilla and strawberries. I know it'll take a long freaking time until it's totally ready, but I plan on having enough to keep me busy in the mean time whilst I wait.
I'm planning on shooting for something around 9 - 11% ABV, nothing with too strong of an alcohol taste so it'll go down smooth.
I've already got the stuff to make it here at home, so I'm probably going to whip it up tomorrow sometime. I'll most likely post pictures, because I'm just obsessive like that.
If anybody's got any ideas or input, it'd be really helpful!
Edit: Also, if I wanted to use that mead calculator spreadsheet posted in the sticky, any idea how I should add the strawberries in there? Should I puree some and take a gravity reading, or would that be too much?