Hey all,
Disclaimer, I read a page or two back but didn't search.
I want to start my very first mead. I've been making apple cider for over a year but I took it in my head to start a mead on the 4th of July with an eye towards drinking at christmas/new years. I want to go very simple at first. I'm afraid to go with JAOM for the first attempt - not being a mead connoisseur, I don't want to make anything complicated or too boldy flavored. That said, I was going to start a 5 gallon run, in hopes that it might make nice Christmas presents when bottled... I would welcome any advice, especially on yeast. I use saflale s-04 for my cider with good results, but I'm definitely listening. I'm aiming for a sweet mead at the end.
I have a source for local honey - filtered but unpasteurized - of various types. Any advice on which "types" (orange blossom, etc) would yield good results?
I have yeast nutrient. I'll get some energizer before pitching.
I'll stagger the nutrient additions, but I'm not real clear on when to do that. I don't have the ability to take hydrometer readings after pitching (yet?). Could I just pitch more nutrient every X days or something?
fake edit: I'll probably just do the the basic recipe from the Mead Making FAQ's
Thanks for any and all advice.
Disclaimer, I read a page or two back but didn't search.
I want to start my very first mead. I've been making apple cider for over a year but I took it in my head to start a mead on the 4th of July with an eye towards drinking at christmas/new years. I want to go very simple at first. I'm afraid to go with JAOM for the first attempt - not being a mead connoisseur, I don't want to make anything complicated or too boldy flavored. That said, I was going to start a 5 gallon run, in hopes that it might make nice Christmas presents when bottled... I would welcome any advice, especially on yeast. I use saflale s-04 for my cider with good results, but I'm definitely listening. I'm aiming for a sweet mead at the end.
I have a source for local honey - filtered but unpasteurized - of various types. Any advice on which "types" (orange blossom, etc) would yield good results?
I have yeast nutrient. I'll get some energizer before pitching.
I'll stagger the nutrient additions, but I'm not real clear on when to do that. I don't have the ability to take hydrometer readings after pitching (yet?). Could I just pitch more nutrient every X days or something?
fake edit: I'll probably just do the the basic recipe from the Mead Making FAQ's
Thanks for any and all advice.