Just want to share

[Revvy]

I have a question, more of a request for input, anyway Im getting ready to bottle something and was thinking what about a belgian white style mead using a trappist type ale yeast and adding orange zest and corriander to the must.

Anyone have an idea on this either way is good input for me.

Thanks

You're asking US question??? Between you and bigkahuna, you two are the most experimental mead makers on this forum...and you want input from us???

It sounds interesting...DO a 1 gallon test batch if you are not sure.

Reading your idea I was thinking more of a mead/tripel, with some Belgian Candy Sugar...or even plain Brown maybe...something that would add a bit of carmelness to it.

 

[BigKahuna]

I have a question, more of a request for input, anyway Im getting ready to bottle something and was thinking what about a belgian white style mead using a trappist type ale yeast and adding orange zest and corriander to the must.

Anyone have an idea on this either way is good input for me.

Thanks

Do a little mash, add some light bittering hops and call it a Braggot!
Mash like...4# of 2row, (3.3# can of extract)
maybe...1 oz of Cascades?
The citrus and Coriander would go great!
Make sure and start a new thread if and when you get going on this.

 

[tooomanycolors]

So what would be your recommendation on amount of honey?

I was thinking maybe 12# of clover then top off with the cooled mash and fill to 5 gallons?

 

[BigKahuna]

I'm posting my response to your new thread:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=73158

 

[tooomanycolors]

I have come to a realization...actually using cut oranges and grapefruits sucks big time.

Anyway I racked the grapefruit mead off the fruit and stabilized it tonight, it should hopefully reclear in a couple days and then it will be ready to bottle.

 

[BigKahuna]

it should hopefully reclear in a couple days and then it will be ready to bottle.

Once I made a mess of my mead with oranges in it (Stirred the crap out of it while racking)....5 weeks in the basement to clear.
I hope you have better luck.

 

[tooomanycolors]

Oh I hope mine clears by the weekend, it is now holding up my braggot project.

on a side note I finally bought beersmith.

 

[tooomanycolors]

Just bottled the Grapefruit, 23 750ml bottles

 

[Kauai_Kahuna]

I now just use the juice and the rinds, just takes to long and is a real pain using the entire fruit. Seems to condition quicker without the white pith(sp?).

 

[tooomanycolors]

That's one heck of an investment....You're wise beyond your years.

Keep posting these picks as they begin to clear and at racking and such. I would love to hear tasting notes.
Will the D-47 leave sweet mead when you are finished at 14%? I'm ready to start a batch tonight with that very yeast...and I'm hoping to bust the barrier and end up sweet.

I just reread some of these and the D-47 has dropped to 1.000 so def not sweet

 

[TommyBoy]

I bet there is going to be a lot of swearing when it comes time to get those grapefruits out of the carboy.

 

[gratus fermentatio]

I now just use the juice and the rinds, just takes to long and is a real pain using the entire fruit. Seems to condition quicker without the white pith(sp?).

I've found that using the white pith of citrus adds significant bitterness to mead. Try using the zest only, it'll add citrus flavor without adding the acid from the juice, nor the bitterness from the pith. I've cooked up a little syrup-like mix from lemons using about 3 parts water to 1 part juice & all the zest from 7 lemons, 1.5 cups (by volume) of honey & simmered for about 5 minutes. I've had luck with adding this concoction to mead for lemon flavor, and I can easily omit the juice to avoid adding acid. I've done this twice with an experimental batch of mead, and so far it's worked out well; takes a while to find out if you need to add more or not, but better to take your time & add incrementally than to get in a hurry & find out you've added too much later on. Hope you find this info useful. Regards, GF.

 

[friedegg]

Looks brilliant!

 

[z987k]

I've found that using the white pith of citrus adds significant bitterness to mead. Try using the zest only, it'll add citrus flavor without adding the acid from the juice, nor the bitterness from the pith. I've cooked up a little syrup-like mix from lemons using about 3 parts water to 1 part juice & all the zest from 7 lemons, 1.5 cups (by volume) of honey & simmered for about 5 minutes. I've had luck with adding this concoction to mead for lemon flavor, and I can easily omit the juice to avoid adding acid. I've done this twice with an experimental batch of mead, and so far it's worked out well; takes a while to find out if you need to add more or not, but better to take your time & add incrementally than to get in a hurry & find out you've added too much later on. Hope you find this info useful. Regards, GF.

that's only if you heat it up, which is a big no-no with mead, IMO.

 

[tooomanycolors]

I bet there is going to be a lot of swearing when it comes time to get those grapefruits out of the carboy.

yea there was a fair deal of that going on for about an hour

 

[Thor the Mighty]

I bet there is going to be a lot of swearing when it comes time to get those grapefruits out of the carboy.

thats a damn good point. would it be better if you just put a bunch of grapefruits in a blender and poured it into your carboy instead of putting halved/quartered fruits in?

 

[tooomanycolors]

thats a damn good point. would it be better if you just put a bunch of grapefruits in a blender and poured it into your carboy instead of putting halved/quartered fruits in?

funny you should think that since after about cursing the fruit for about 20min I decided pureed fruit and zest will be my preferred method from now on.

 

[z987k]

hey your up late. Where the hell are you now CO?


sry this is what a job at the liquor store does to you. It's toooo damn late to still be drunk.

 

[rjdunlap2]

how do u get the fruit out when ur one

 

[MadDwarf]

When you are One, you will no longer need to get the fruit out. Instead, you will come to realize that there is no fruit, and that it is yourself which is contained.

 

[z987k]

how do u get the fruit out when ur one

A hanger works great.

When you are One, you will no longer need to get the fruit out. Instead, you will come to realize that there is no fruit, and that it is yourself which is contained.

lmfao.

 

[BigKahuna]

Here it is. I didn't know which one was which...so I closed my eyes and chose. After cracking the bottle, there was no question that this is the Grapefruit mead.

The color is a beautiful...and CRYSTAL clear mead. I would not call it "Star Bright" or whatever the real judges call it, but it is as clear as it needs to be.
This mead is really gorgeous. It appears to have nice body and sheets down the glass when swirled, but really tries to hang on for all it's worth.

The taste is unmistakeably Grapefruit. It's crisp and clean, but I think it's too dry for me, as Grape Fruit has always been served to me with HEAPS of sugar. This is more true to the nature of fresh natural grapefruit. In smaller sips the "Pith" is apparent, but not over powering. In a good size swallow, it's not noticeable. The acid of the grapefruit along with it's nature hides the youth and the reported 20%+ abv pretty well.

My overall impression....This isn't my favorite mead, but it is definitely the Best CITRUS mead I've ever had. I was actually pretty anxious about a grapefruit mead. It isn't something that I'd even have considered, but I'm now quite glad to have a bottle, and really looking forward to the next bottle...although I don't have a clue what it is either.

Thanks Man! It has been a pleasure trying your mead. Job well done.

 

[z987k]

It should taste extra good, you wouldn't believe what that bottle went through to get there. Well you as in BigKahuna would, but other ppl. You know.

 

[BigKahuna]

YUP....I saw the Mosquito Pass Pictures...I think that helped. I have a few bottles for you to take up there next summer :cross:

 

[tooomanycolors]

And next summer I should have some more stuff for you to try, and this time I think Ill just drive to CO

 

[z987k]

YUP....I saw the Mosquito Pass Pictures...I think that helped. I have a few bottles for you to take up there next summer :cross:

You know what would be cool, bury some bottles in the snow up there, take a gps reading and then come back and get them some time later.

They'd be as cold as the rockys and frost brewed at least.

 

[Gavin C]

Makes my JAOM I just came home to after a week away seem very puny. This is my first batch of mead. Pictures like the ones you shared are truly inspiring. Thanks for sharing.