Do I have everything I need for making mead?

Hausdaddy · Feb 28, 2015

I am very new to making mead, these three one-pound batches will be my first and are all extremely important to me. I lost three of my Great Grandparents last year and I am making each a mead flavor in remembrance to share at my family gathering this year. I have never made mead before and I am probably stressing more about getting these batches right than I should be.

I have been going through Amazon trying to find everything I need. I would really like a second pair of eyes to look over everything and see if I need to add anything before I check out.
- 1 Gallon Glass Wine Fermenter-INCLUDES Rubber Stopper and Airlock [x3]
- SEOH Rubber Stopper Solid 5Pk #6
- 2 Gallon Plastic Fermenter w/ drilled lid
- 3 Piece Econo-Lock with Carboy Bung (Set of 2)
- Vinyl Tubing - 10 feet 5/16 ID - 7/16 OD (Food Grade)
- Regular 5/16" Auto-Siphon
- Hydrometer - Triple Scale
- K1-V1116 Saccharomyces cerevisiae 3 (5 g. Pouchs)
- Fermax Yeast Nutrient 1lb
- Star San- 32 oz
- The Compleat Meadmaker : Home Production of Honey Wine From Your First Batch to Award-winning Fruit and Herb Variations by Ken Schramm

I will be buying my honey online as well but I haven't decided on exact recipes yet.

Any tips or suggestions are appreciated and thank you for your time.

uncleleon · Feb 28, 2015

Look up the quick mead technique. Maybe a little baking soda.

Support your local beekeeper.

fuelish · Feb 28, 2015

Perhaps some pectic enzyme, if you're considering using some fruit? And a bottling wand , as well as some bottles, caps, capper (or corks/cork press, depending on how you intend to bottle).
As noted by uncleleon, if you're considering it for sometime this year, consider researching "one month mead" (BOMM - Bray's One Month Mead)....designed to be drinkable sooner than "standard" timespan....good luck!!!

Hausdaddy · Feb 28, 2015

I have until late November so I am not sure if a quick mead is really necessary? I'm trying to find flavors that are true to the personalities of my Great Grandparents rather than just settling for something because it is easy.

Do I want powdered or liquid pectic enzyme? What is the usual amount added for a one-pound recipe or is it variable?

loveofrose · Feb 28, 2015

I am sorry for your loss. I also have experienced this loss and know how tough it is.

Read the article in my signature to get your head around mead making and come back with any questions.

Better brewing through science!

See my Current Mead Making Techniques article here:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/current-mead-making-techniques.html

Beek · Mar 8, 2015

Definitely follow Bray's article and ideas. Most leads would not be ready very quick. Like over a year a lot of times. BOMM is ready in a month. I just made my first BOMM, it fermented out in a week. I racked to secondary only because I'm going out of town for almost two months. I can't wait to bottle and try it when I get back.