Mead - the homebrew thread

[Jb123]

Alternatively you can make meads and ensure the yeast reaches its alcohol tolerance. As long as it ferments completely and you don't sweeten it should be stable.

Right! But then it's so damn dry or dryer than I prefer. Schramms sweetness is about what im looking for. I guess sorbate and sulfite is my only answer unless I can unlock the schramms secret!

 

[wiltznucs]

Right! But then it's so damn dry or dryer than I prefer. Schramms sweetness is about what im looking for. I guess sorbate and sulfite is my only answer unless I can unlock the schramms secret!

I've never spoke to Ken and he is indeed a master. Accepting that I couldn't get his meads locally is why I started making my own. That said, he has had issues with refermentation in some of his meads. There's a few pics of carbonated bottles out there. You'll also notice that he fills his bottles entirely leaving no headspace. I theorize that this is to reduce oxidation while simultaneously limiting oxygen needed for aerobic fermentation after bottling.

 

[Jb123]

I've never spoke to Ken and he is indeed a master. Accepting that I couldn't get his meads locally is why I started making my own. That said, he has had issues with refermentation in some of his meads. There's a few pics of carbonated bottles out there. You'll also notice that he fills his bottles entirely leaving no headspace. I theorize that this is to reduce oxidation while simultaneously limiting oxygen needed for aerobic fermentation after bottling.

Yeah. I've got a few of those bottles....yup his stuff is why I wanted to give this a try.

 

[sweemzander]

Started a new 4 gallon batch of straight this past weekend. 3 gallons will become some kind of pineapple/coconut/pina colada thing once its ready for secondary. I have read terrible reviews/opinions on fermenting pineapple, so I decided to not add that to primary.

The other gallon. . . not sure yet. I have a few weeks to decide

On Deck/Secondary/Aging:

- Cyser (finally starting to clear after 2+ months in secondary)
- White Pyment (used 100% varietal organic Semillon grape juice. Added apricots to secondary)
- Red Pyment (cabernet sauvignon + raspberries + chocolate +French Oak Cubes
- Sour Mead (starting to sour, but needs some oak I think)
- Melomel (used Lingonberries. It is super tart. . like really really tart)

Finally got to try Black Agnes. . . now in perpetual ISO for that

 

[Beerontwowheels]

I've been neglecting my cranberry melomel. Has been on the berries for just over a month now. I hope to pull the fruit out tonight and give it another few weeks to settle again before racking to secondary. Interested to see what the gravity is at right now as I haven't taken a single hydrometer reading beyond the OG...

 

[ExPimp]

Do most of you guys source your honey from local supplies or do you have favorite online retail site? I've taken way too long of break from making mead and wanted to start up again here soon. Last year I was just using local wildflower, generally 3-4lbs for 1g batches. I'd like to increase it to a 3g-5g initial batch that I could split up into different experiments and definitely looking for a price break on that amount of honey. Thanks in advance for any suggestions/experiences!

 

[mjohnson171]

Do most of you guys source your honey from local supplies or do you have favorite online retail site? I've taken way too long of break from making mead and wanted to start up again here soon. Last year I was just using local wildflower, generally 3-4lbs for 1g batches. I'd like to increase it to a 3g-5g initial batch that I could split up into different experiments and definitely looking for a price break on that amount of honey. Thanks in advance for any suggestions/experiences!

When possible I try to source local from farmers markets and such. But Chicago winter is a bitch to find local honey.
I use Amazon a lot. Prime is great for shipping. Just do your homework and make sure you're buying from a reputable source, not just the cheapest option.

 

[sweemzander]

It matters what I'm making. Costco has a great price on clover honey but I really only use it if im using adjuncts (melomels, etc).

Otherwise I try and find it local. Have been really pleased with Kallas honey out of WI. Can get 5lbs orange blossom for $20 before shipping

 

[Jb123]

5lbs orange blossom 4 lbs wildflower. Juice and zest of 8 tangelos and 8 clementines. Little under one gallon water in 2 gallon bucket. 71b. We will see. Racking onto 10 Mexican vanilla beans.

 

[wiltznucs]

5lbs orange blossom 4 lbs wildflower. Juice and zest of 8 tangelos and 8 clementines. Little under one gallon water in 2 gallon bucket. 71b. We will see. Racking onto 10 Mexican vanilla beans.

I like it, I have a similar concept I'll be doing next month. I'm going to use honeybells though.

 

[sweemzander]

I like it, I have a similar concept I'll be doing next month. I'm going to use honeybells though.

I had a great experience using Honey Tangerines last spring - used in conjunction with blood oranges turned out fantastic

 

[Jas45678]

5lbs orange blossom 4 lbs wildflower. Juice and zest of 8 tangelos and 8 clementines. Little under one gallon water in 2 gallon bucket. 71b. We will see. Racking onto 10 Mexican vanilla beans.

WTF is a tangelo

 

[sliverx]

WTF is a tangelo

a citrus fruit hybrid of tangerine and pomelo or grapefruit.

 

[Jb123]

WTF is a tangelo

Like like a tangerine but not

 

[Jas45678]

I'm sure it will be good, save me some

 

[Jb123]

I'm sure it will be good, save me some

Bottle 1 of 1 two gallons actually. Should be ready end of March!!

 

[bigk84]

Mixed up a ridiculous raspberry melomel a few days ago.

Super super jammy, cannot wait.

 

[wiltznucs]

Mixed up a ridiculous raspberry melomel a few days ago.

Super super jammy, cannot wait.

Very little headspace, I like a man who is not afraid to live dangerously!

 

[bigk84]

Very little headspace, I like a man who is not afraid to live dangerously!

Even while de-gassing it hasn't over flowed yet

 

[Jb123]

Mixed up a ridiculous raspberry melomel a few days ago.

Super super jammy, cannot wait.

# fruit? # honey ??

 

[Beerontwowheels]

# fruit? # honey ??

Don't call me honey, pal.

 

[bigk84]

# fruit? # honey ??

Absurd amount:

25 lbs red raspberries
32 oz red raspberry concentrate
18 lbs orange blossom honey, 2 gallons spring water

Raspberry for days

 

[Jb123]

Absurd amount:

25 lbs red raspberries
32 oz red raspberry concentrate
18 lbs orange blossom honey, 2 gallons spring water

Raspberry for days

Yeah holy ****! I wonder what amount of liquid you will get in return!? Interested in following

 

[bigk84]

Yeah holy ****! I wonder what amount of liquid you will get in return!? Interested in following

I'm guessing more than I think, probably 4 gallons? There's a lot of juice in those berries. Maybe more, I'll have to see how balanced it is when it's done fermenting, it might need to be backsweetened, but we'll see. You'll get to try some when you come down state.

 

[Jb123]

I'm guessing more than I think, probably 4 gallons? There's a lot of juice in those berries. Maybe more, I'll have to see how balanced it is when it's done fermenting, it might need to be backsweetened, but we'll see. You'll get to try some when you come down state.

Yeah I always wonder as I haven't made a batch quite that size yet, seems like the fruit soaks up just as much as it puts out? I soon will know, hopefully. Yup can't wait to try some of your stuff

 

[bigk84]

Yeah I always wonder as I haven't made a batch quite that size yet, seems like the fruit soaks up just as much as it puts out? I soon will know, hopefully. Yup can't wait to try some of your stuff

get yourself one of these bad boys

Puree's everything together in it's path of destruction and won't scratch the bucket, aerates to 100% oxygen too, pretty sure the puree can't absorb that much liquid, because well, it's really really fine now.

 

[Jb123]

get yourself one of these bad boys

Puree's everything together in it's path of destruction and won't scratch the bucket, aerates to 100% oxygen too, pretty sure the puree can't absorb that much liquid, because well, it's really really fine now.

Winning

 

[Jb123]

Wait nm that is too much for my blood!!!

 

[FTowne1]

Raspberry for days

libbey

 

[libbey]

libbey

Wood drink