Joe's Ancient Orange Mead

[RhodySeth]

I would get out out of that water jug soon. I did one like that, one day opened the closet to find it had all leaked out through a tiny hole in the bottom of the jug.
I also had a plain jug of water sitting around for a few months that got a hole in the bottom, so I no longer trust them for too long

Yeah, I remember reading your tale of woe. We have lots of water jugs we keep in case of an emergency and have never had a leak issue but it's something I'll be aware of. I like using the water jugs because 1) we've got lots of 'em and 2) I don't have to worry about getting the fruit and stuff out afterwards - I can just cut 'em up and use another one. But in case of leaks I keep my jugs on a table I built that's got plastic sheeting which drains into a bucket.

I think on Friday I'll transfer my 6 week old JAOM to a 1 gallon glass jug for two weeks. Then bottle.

 

[divrguy]

Yeah, I remember reading your tale of woe. We have lots of water jugs we keep in case of an emergency and have never had a leak issue but it's something I'll be aware of. I like using the water jugs because 1) we've got lots of 'em and 2) I don't have to worry about getting the fruit and stuff out afterwards - I can just cut 'em up and use another one. But in case of leaks I keep my jugs on a table I built that's got plastic sheeting which drains into a bucket. I think on Friday I'll transfer my 6 week old JAOM to a 1 gallon glass jug for two weeks. Then bottle.

I like that water bottle idea. Did you just modify the lid to fit a rubber grommet? Can't tell by the pic. But it looks custom

 

[RhodySeth]

I like that water bottle idea. Did you just modify the lid to fit a rubber grommet? Can't tell by the pic. But it looks custom

Yup, I just drilled a hole in the cap and then squeezed a grommet on there (Before drilling I put the cap on another jug that wasn't being used for brewing since the drilling creates plastic specs.) The one on my left was my first attempt and I made the hole just a bit too big because the airlock never bubbled (you can see my half-arsed attempts to add duct tape around the grommet. Airlock still never bubbled so I've just let it be.) The one on the right worked as intended and the airlock is still a bubblin'.

 

[ffd520]

From start to finish.

 

[Quokimbo]

So, I have encountered a little problem. I made a gallon of cherry JAOM variant and there was so much fruit and lees that after I finished racking off 2/3 of the gallon the last bit was really cloudy. I poured the rest out through paper towels because the siphon hole kept getting plugged by fruit. Now I have a 750 ml bottle that is settling and I tried to rack it off the other day but could not. I put a tube into and tried siphoning it out with my mouth. A little fell into the gallon carboy but it pulled the rest back down into the 750 ml bottle? Maybe I am missing something? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Scratch all of that, I just kind made a make shift seal with my mouth over a straw stuck down the side of the small grommet. hahaha

 

[Cheesy_Goodness]

How long was it in the primary? My batch of JAOM took about 5 months before it was clear and ready to rack/bottle.

 

[Quokimbo]

How long was it in the primary? My batch of JAOM took about 5 months before it was clear and ready to rack/bottle.

Mine?(Probably the post above mine haha) Like exactly 30 days. It was really clear(More clear than my last batch, which was also my first.) and most of the fruit had fallen. I just got the last of that 750 bottle into the gallon and plugged it back up. I plan on letting it sit for another handful of days and rack it again as I see a build up of lees settling in secondary.

 

[Cheesy_Goodness]

If it was only one month I would guess that it wasn't quite ready yet. Could you read text through it? Someone on here suggested that be the standard test and it seems to be a good standard to stick by.

 

[Matteo57]

I was thinking of adding a slight bit of oak cubes in this. Anyone done this yet? Any suggestions?

 

[RhodySeth]

I fell prey to that great rookie mistake of impatience. After six weeks, I thought my JAOM was clear enough. But since I fermented in a plastic water jug, it was hard to tell. I racked to a glass jug and it's definitely not as clear as I thought it would be. But I also added some water since it was so low after racking. Anywho, below you can see what it looks like now. I had originally planned to leave it in there for two weeks before bottling. Is there going to be any issue with the headspace if I want to leave it in longer?

 

[ivegot2legs]

I started an experiment 9 weeks ago.

Batch A- exactly as described but using only zest and flesh, no rind.

Batch B- exactly as describes but using grapefruit zest and flesh.

Batch C- exactly as described but using only zest and flesh and sweet mead yeast.

Batch A performed as expected. Batch B never had the grapefruit drop but otherwise seems the same. Batch C performed as expected, but didn't clarify as much.

I also cold crashed in the fridge for several days, seems to help settle the yeast. But definitely put it at the bottling location for a few days prior to bottling.

Bottling tomorrow, tasting to come soon.

 

[RhodySeth]

I fell prey to that great rookie mistake of impatience. After six weeks, I thought my JAOM was clear enough. But since I fermented in a plastic water jug, it was hard to tell. I racked to a glass jug and it's definitely not as clear as I thought it would be.

Hmmph. Maybe I spoke too soon. Turns out that the racked mead is pretty clear now - I can ready text easily through the top 75% of the carboy. Guess the yeast just needed time to settle. Think I'll stick to the original plan of two more weeks in the carboy and then bottle.

 

[divrguy]

Yup, I just drilled a hole in the cap and then squeezed a grommet on there (Before drilling I put the cap on another jug that wasn't being used for brewing since the drilling creates plastic specs.) The one on my left was my first attempt and I made the hole just a bit too big because the airlock never bubbled (you can see my half-arsed attempts to add duct tape around the grommet. Airlock still never bubbled so I've just let it be.) The one on the right worked as intended and the airlock is still a bubblin'.

Sweet! I may have to rig up a few of those!

From start to finish.

My buddy is a beekeeper and this JOAM got me wanting to give it a go too! He's got a Langstroth hive!

 

[FatDragon]

My honey just came in fifteen minutes ago. Looks like it's time to get this show on the road.

 

[FatDragon]

One more day as I wait for a couple extra airlocks to arrive for these jugs...

Has anybody tried star anise in JAOM or other meads? My girlfriend's aunt sells whole spices in bulk and whenever we visit she gives us way more spices than we can use. Star anise is a nice addition to a lot of things, and complements the cinnamon and clove, but I'm wondering if it might be too much. If I do use it, I'm a little lost on how much I should use, as well. I'm thinking one point of the star for each gallon would be safe, but I'm not certain if it would be enough.

 

[jak1010]

Sounds like it would fit perfectly.

 

[jak1010]

Here's my traditional at about 7 weeks.

 

[divrguy]

Here's my traditional at about 7 weeks.

Looks awesome! Mine should be ready some time in January.

 

[Pkrd]

5L down last night.

 

[Quokimbo]

If it was only one month I would guess that it wasn't quite ready yet. Could you read text through it? Someone on here suggested that be the standard test and it seems to be a good standard to stick by.

I know, I had a hard time listening growing up also! haha This is the final product...I am eager to let it sit a bit as it taste a little like Cherry medicine at the moment. Hmmm hm it is tasty already though!!

 

[beerrata]

Just bottled 5 gallons of this. Aged for 3 months, oranges dropped at about 2.5 months. Tastes great! I will keep several bottles for 6 mths to a year to see how it tastes then.

 

[Quokimbo]

My next JAOM, bread yeast and all. I had not looked at her in a week or so...So clear! Not exactly sure the days of fermenting...Will check later.

 

[Kdog22]

I'm about to open a bottle of my first JAOM tonight, that I put together back in April. I did end up using premier cuvee yeast instead of bread yeast (HUGE difference, I know). When I bottled it months ago, the taste test was a bit "hot" tasting and a little dry, too. I'm excited to see how much the flavors have changed over time!

 

[jak1010]

Awesome.... Please post pics and how it tastes.

 

[Paul_F]

Well, just over three months after pitching the yeast (and screwing up how much honey to add... ), today was bottling day.

The fruit (all but some stubborn raisins) finished dropping a few weeks ago, and it started clearing dramatically about the same time.


Here is my JAOM in it's natural habitat; my 3 gallon carboy.
Then with a copy of The Anglo Saxon Chronicle (a printing from the 1880's).
And lastly, once bottled and corked... waiting for the bottles to dry so I can put them away, and wait another 6-8 months.

I tasted what was left after filling my last bottle and It DOES (as I was given to expect by this thread) have a bit of that "rocket fuel" taste to it... but not as much bitterness as I'd feared from the pith.
Time will tell!
I start giving bottles away for Christmas, with a firm admonition that they not be opened until next summer, at least.

 

[tg123]

Wow. OG of 1.142. Think I might've added too much for a half gal. 1.75lb.

 

[jonmohno]

Wow. OG of 1.142. Think I might've added too much for a half gal. 1.75lb.

dont worry, it will be ok

 

[Kdog22]

Awesome.... Please post pics and how it tastes.

I cracked open my chilled bottle on Friday evening. It was amazing to see how 6 months of bottle aging helped to mellow out the alcohol bite my batch had. Still a tad "hot" but significantly better then when I tasted it at bottling. Didn't think to take any pics but it was crystal clear. Honey taste has come out a bit more. It was very enjoyable. My father in law also really enjoyed it. So now the 2nd of my 4 bottles are now gone from that batch. I plan to forget about the other 2 bottles until they are at least a year old before I crack open the next bottle. Need to make another batch of this, pronto.

 

[tg123]

dont worry, it will be ok

Thx for the confirmation

Here's my second half gallon attempt notes:
JOAM #2 with Mandarin Oranges
1.5lb Clover honey
0.25lb Local Costco Raw honey (not sure what kind)
Boiled water for 10min and dissolved honey in growler
1 box raisins
2 mandarin oranges. Rinsed, ripped up and tossed in with rinds
0.5 stick cinnamon
0.5 clove
Cooled to ~75F and added 1teaspoon bread yeast.
Shake shake shake...airlock...hide in closet

Been cold lately so temps are around 60-66F in the house. Low 60s when I'm at work...68ish when I turned on the heat at home =)
1 more year until I drink it...gonna be a loooooooooong wait.

OG 1.142

 

[Aceandover]

My variation of JAOM instead of oranges I used pineapple in #2 and blueberry's in #3. #1 is nurse nans vanilla mead. (Left to right)