Mead - the homebrew thread

[Snarf1]

No sir, I was not. The clerk did try and convince me to buy four more bags of cranberries so that I could take advantage of their case discount (10%). I politely declined.

I should mention that I'm also not very excited to process 15 lbs of cranberries this weekend. I saw that picture Naegerbomb posted in the Schramm's AMA and I guess I need to cut each cranberry in half? Fughhhhh!

According to the FAQ on cranberries.org there are 440 cranberries in a pound of the variety most commonly grown in Massachusetts. So let's round down to 6000 cranberries, maybe you've got big ones. Have fun with that.

 

[doobiegoobie]

And for the love of mead, next time please buy pre-sliced IQF!

Source? i'm curious what yall use, even if it's not gonna work at a smaller scale

 

[Naegerbomb]

Source? i'm curious what yall use, even if it's not gonna work at a smaller scale

We use IQF sliced cranberries from Ocean Spray. I'm not actually sure where you can buy them in small quantities - we usually source our fruit 4000#+ at a go.

 

[Beerontwowheels]

Dude. Food processor. Please don't slice each one exactly in half. Wash them and give them a rough chop into pieces. Then freeze/thaw if you want or if your schedule permits. And for the love of mead, next time please buy pre-sliced IQF!

Yeah, probably going to use a food processor. Or invite the neighborhood over, hand them all knives and make promises I can't keep. We'll see!

 

[doobiegoobie]

We use IQF sliced cranberries from Ocean Spray. I'm not actually sure where you can buy them in small quantities - we usually source our fruit 4000#+ at a go.

Ahh yes, 4000# might be a tad much for me. But thanks!

 

[harrymel1]

The issue with cinnamon is the coumarin content. Coumarin has been linked to liver damage in rats, but less so in mice - both of which metabolize coumarin to different metabolites than humans and the human metabolite is less toxic than the rodent byproducts. It's actually regulated or banned in some areas of Europe. In addition to differing flavors some of the cinnamon varietals have more coumarin than others. Ceylon cinnamon has the least coumarin and so I choose to use it.

To be sure, we're taking about huge amounts of cinnamon needed to be harmful but Ceylon has a wonderful aromatic character so it's a great choice.

So much the last part. It's really a non issue (with I'm sure an exception or two in history, but not generally).

 

[mjohnson171]

Is there any interest in doing a homebrewed mead swap some time in the future (I need a month or so for a few meads to finish up)?

My exposure to homemade meads is basically what I've made. I'd love to sample some fellow mead makers product.

 

[Beerontwowheels]

Is there any interest in doing a homebrewed mead swap some time in the future (I need a month or so for a few meads to finish up)?

My exposure to homemade meads is basically what I've made. I'd love to sample some fellow mead makers product.

Was going to suggest something like this too. I'm game.

 

[mjohnson171]

If there's a few people interested I can organize some sort of round robin BIF swap or something.

 

[Jb123]

If there's a few people interested I can organize some sort of round robin BIF swap or something.

I'll be in for some future things. When I started I was such an idiot and didn't label anything. So I have no clue what's what really. My cherry mead is a year old and really good! But i could easily mistake it for mulberry mead which isn't as good! :/ cool story I know.

 

[sliverx]

Is there any interest in doing a homebrewed mead swap some time in the future (I need a month or so for a few meads to finish up)?

My exposure to homemade meads is basically what I've made. I'd love to sample some fellow mead makers product.

in

 

[Beerontwowheels]

in

Took you long enough...

 

[sliverx]

Took you long enough...

I don't have to work for 3 straight days so my Internet time killing is limited. This is strange and my wife is going to cut off my hands.

 

[wiltznucs]

I'll do a mead BIF. Count me in...

 

[Jb123]

I'll do a mead BIF. Count me in...

I def want to try your stuff!

 

[sliverx]

Would this be something where everyone gets something from everyone?

 

[Beerontwowheels]

Would this be something where everyone gets something from everyone?

Yah. We need a hub if so.

 

[Jb123]

**** I better amp up production. These measly 1 gallon batches won't be enough to send around

 

[sliverx]

Yah. We need a hub if so.

see who is participating try to have the most centrally located person handle it. Include a return label with original box to make it easy. I'd be willing to hub.

 

[sliverx]

Anyone else interested in the homebrew swap let me know so you can be added to the concersation.

 

[doobiegoobie]

Dang I wish I had more mead to get in on this. Only got 1 dry blueberry right now. But I just bought a bunch of honey and have at least 3 more batches in the works, so I'm in next time!

 

[sliverx]

Dang I wish I had more mead to get in on this. Only got 1 dry blueberry right now. But I just bought a bunch of honey and have at least 3 more batches in the works, so I'm in next time!

we haven't set anything in motion other than a group conversation.

 

[sweemzander]

we haven't set anything in motion other than a group conversation.

I would be down for this

 

[Jb123]

Racked my blueberry mead after back sweetening. Wow definetly my best thus far. Can actually taste honey.

 

[wiltznucs]

Racked my blueberry mead after back sweetening. Wow definetly my best thus far. Can actually taste honey.

Should be bottling Triple Black this weekend. Finished a bit sweeter than I normally aim for but I'm happy with it. The black currant, blackberry, black cherry and vanilla really came together nicely. Tastes great before finings. Always interesting to see how it changes afterward.

 

[Jb123]

Should be bottling Triple Black this weekend. Finished a bit sweeter than I normally aim for but I'm happy with it. The black currant, blackberry, black cherry and vanilla really came together nicely. Tastes great before finings. Always interesting to see how it changes afterward.

Need..

 

[sliverx]

Should be bottling Triple Black this weekend. Finished a bit sweeter than I normally aim for but I'm happy with it. The black currant, blackberry, black cherry and vanilla really came together nicely. Tastes great before finings. Always interesting to see how it changes afterward.

Need..

 

[quirkzoo1]

Yeah, probably going to use a food processor. Or invite the neighborhood over, hand them all knives and make promises I can't keep. We'll see!

Do you have a barley crusher?

 

[Beerontwowheels]

Do you have a barley crusher?

Quit frontin' Chris, you know all about my grind.

 

[wiltznucs]

Fired up a six gallon batch this evening. Trying my hand at a Bochetomel. Caramelized orange blossom honey paired with a pile of red raspberries. I'd imagine it will be ready around the end of January or beginning of February.