Abv question

[Epruneau]

My wife wants all of my meads to finish around 6% does anyone know if that’s even possible since it looks like all different yeast strains are capable of producing more if it is possible would it be less honey and fermentables and if that’s the case would it even have any taste. Thanks.

 

[Maylar]

1.3 lbs of honey per gallon will get you that but it won't taste like much.

 

[Epruneau]

So pretty much the only way to do that would be to sacrifice it tasting like anything?

 

[Joeywhat]

I've had a few "mead seltzers" that are around 6%. They're fine, but nothing like an actually mead.

 

[madscientist451]

You could stabilize it and add flavors....

 

[wildmazer]

there are plenty of ‘hydromels’ on the market these days, i suspect because of the much faster turn-around time than wine-strength meads. they tend to add more strong flavors to mask the fact that the honey flavor is weak. most are carbonated, too. hops, fruits, etc.

 

[Toxxyc]

I'd make a 1.045-ish must, ferment it dry, and then stabilize using k-meta and sorbate. Then I'd backsweeten it to around 1.010-ish in order to give you a bit of flavour and mouthfeel as there's not going to be much dry at 6% ABV.

Personally I'd aim for a melomel or braggot if you're aiming for 6% ABV. Get something else to back up the flavours you want.

 

[Maylar]

So pretty much the only way to do that would be to sacrifice it tasting like anything?

These guys make what you're looking for -

Mead Recipes

 

[bernardsmith]

With some irony, you could make a higher ABV mead and dilute any mead from that batch to give to your wife. You would then have a more flavor -rich mead and your wife would have her lower ABV mead... BUT another alternative is to make a carbonated mead. The CO2 will explode the flavor molecules in your mouth so even with a less flavor rich wine the taste may still have more flavor when the mead is sparkling.

 

[Epruneau]

Thanks for all the ideas now just have to figure out which way to go lol