Getting into Mead, My journey

[MX1]

2 Week Update
JOAM -1.000-Cinnamon is kinda hot now, pulled it and the rest of the spices and oranges. Will drop the fruit of two cuties in tomorrow along with 1 or 2 vanilla beans
BOMM - 1.010- Honey is there can taste the difference between 1.040 and 1.010 for sure, might back sweeten this with Burbon maple syrup

Will check gravity again next week, I know the BOMM system says not to rack, but I will so I can get my next 2 in the fermenters

 

[MX1]

Next 2 meads.

Apple Cyser

Primary
1 Gal Apple Cider (questions about this below)
1 LB Wildflower Honey
1/3 C Dark Brown Sugar
Yeast 1388
YTB SNA


Secondary
2ea Vanilla Bean
1ea Cinnamon Stick
8-10oz Dried apples

Back-sweeten to taste with Burbon Barrel Maple syrup to taste

QUESTION: Should I use the clear cider or can I use the raw cloudy Cider, I can get both that have no additives?

Chai-Tea Metheglin

Primary
3 qt Chai Tea (made with and following the instructions HERE
2.5 LB Honey (clover or wildflower)
Yeast 1388
YTB SNA

This one should be pretty straight forward.
If you say any issues please let me know

T

 

[MightyMosin]

You can use either apple juice.

I use the unfiltered on the basis that there is likely more of the apple there to provide sugar and other flavors while fermenting and anything that isn't providing that sugar will eventually fall to the bottom by the time I am racking it.

 

[MX1]

Ordered my Chai Tea for the Chai Vanilla Mead
About to order Some Honey for the Cyser, going with Desert Creek Honey free shipping on orders over $50

And found this, looks interesting,

https://nielsenmassey.com/products/pure-vanilla-bean-paste/

 

[MX1]

About to start my 3rd and 4th Meads, the first 2 are in 1 Gallon jars, and I put them in the fridge to clear, but after 36 hours they do not seem to be dropping out, but we will give them some more time

 

[Dan O]

About to start my 3rd and 4th Meads, the first 2 are in 1 Gallon jars, and I put them in the fridge to clear, but after 36 hours they do not seem to be dropping out, but we will give them some more time

Depending on the yeast used, cold crashing can take up to 2 weeks

 

[MX1]

1388

 

[Dan O]

1388

Patience, grasshopper

 

[MX1]

Ok, got the Vanilla Chai (W1388) and my Cyser (D47) started tonight
The Chai will get the yeast pitched in the morning, as I just smashed the yeast about an hour ago.
I do have a question, when I rack the cyser, I am going to add dehydrated apples, do I need to add more Pectin?

The cyser is the BOMM Cyser recipe except I used D47 for the yeast

 

[MX1]

Patience, grasshopper

The traditional BOMM has cleared nicely, the JOA BOMM not so much, could it be from the oranges I put in with out any pectin enzyme? I put either 1 or 2 small "cuties" in because the cinnamon was out of balance

 

[MX1]

 

[Dan O]

The traditional BOMM has cleared nicely, the JOA BOMM not so much, could it be from the oranges I put in with out any pectin enzyme? I put either 1 or 2 small "cuties" in because the cinnamon was out of balance

The pectic enzyme is a key ingredient when adding fruit. If I recall correctly, you started these while your enzyme was still shipping to you, right?

 

[MX1]

before I knew I needed it.....lol

 

[Dan O]

before I knew I needed it.....lol

You can still add it, but, double the dosage, as alcohol makes it less effective.

 

[MX1]

You can still add it, but, double the dosage, as alcohol makes it less effective.

thanks, will do that tonight, I have to add a SNA addition to my Cyser

 

[MX1]

I racked my 2 meads over to secondary

The Metheglen was just a transfer to help it clear…I really should have pulled a sample for gravity and taste

The cyser I had to pull of the yeast and dates and added about 1/4 pound of dehydrated apples. Didn’t taste or check gravity of it either but will in a day or so.

Of the first 2, the Traditional is looking nice and clear about to bottle it next week.
The Ancient Orange is clearing slowly, I forgot to add pectic enzyme when I made it up front. But I added about double the dose last week and it has helped some

 

[Ren06]

View attachment 779344
Or this.....

Love that logo!!