Aging/Storing in clay vessels.

[StefanK]

Does anyone has experience, or at least given thought to this subject? Bulkg aging or storing mead in any sort of clay vessels, like amphorae? What about fermenting it? I guess anything that can hold the fluid can be used to ferment it, but there is something mistical about this.

 

[skadalajara]

It's how it was done before oak barrels.
Make sure they're fully glazed and the glaze is food safe. Some have lead and heavy metals I think.
Safer than a carboy if you drop it, too.

 

[StefanK]

It's how it was done before oak barrels.
Make sure they're fully glazed and the glaze is food safe. Some have lead and heavy metals I think.
Safer than a carboy if you drop it, too.

Fully glazed like in ceramic glazing? Is this to prevent leaching from minerals in clay or to prevent leaking? I know that the romans did resin treating of their wine-holding clay. Standard non-glazed well cooked clay wont do?

 

[fatbloke]

Fully glazed like in ceramic glazing? Is this to prevent leaching from minerals in clay or to prevent leaking? I know that the romans did resin treating of their wine-holding clay. Standard non-glazed well cooked clay wont do?

I suspect its more about straight baked earthenware type vessels being a matte finish and more likely to be able to support spoilage organisms. Plus fully glazed inside and out gives a more "glass-like" seal, so theres less likely to be anything leeching from the clay material or for the alcohol part to soak through any flaws......

Don't forget, ceramic a.k.a. "stone" jars, have gone out of fashion as glass is more practical for small to medium sized containers - its lighter than clay. With larger vessels, wood (specifically white oak) was used because not only did standard barrel sizes make for more easily handled larger containers, but the flavour imparted by the oak was the preferred taste.

We have had larger, stainless steel vessels for what ? The last 50 or so years.....

If you have access to ceramic containers that can be sealed air tight, then why not.......