I have JUST decided to do a sweet strawberry mead and have it ready for my 1st wedding anniversary (June 25th).
I want to have a sweet finish because that's how my wife likes it. Here's what I am thinking:
14 lbs. Clover honey
½ cup of raisins
3 lbs of frozen strawberries
3 sticks of cinnamon
1 Vanilla Bean
a pinch of nutmeg
1 pack of sweet mead yeast or ale yeast
Water filled to 5 gallon line
My calculations give me a OG of about 1.1 and if I can find a yeast to give me a final ABV of 9% - 11%, I'll end up with a FG of 1.035 (for 9%) to 1.021 (for 11%).
I am not sure what yeast to use. I was hoping for some suggestions. I am also wondering about the spices I plan on adding. Any suggestions there? Will this be too sweet? Should I reduce the honey?
Any feedback would be great! Thanks!
EDIT:
New Revised Recipie: (Final revision, I hope)
Ingredients
Primary Ingredients
12 lbs. Clover honey
½ cup of raisins
~4 Gallons water (fill to 5 gallon level)
1 pack of D47, 71B, or Montratchet wine yeast (still deciding)
Secondary Ingredients
12 lbs. of frozen strawberries (Juiced, if possible)
3 lbs. of rhubarb
2 Vanilla Beans
Zest from one lemon
1 teaspoon of Thyme
Backsweetening Ingredients
2 lbs. Clover honey
strawberry juice to taste
I want to have a sweet finish because that's how my wife likes it. Here's what I am thinking:
14 lbs. Clover honey
½ cup of raisins
3 lbs of frozen strawberries
3 sticks of cinnamon
1 Vanilla Bean
a pinch of nutmeg
1 pack of sweet mead yeast or ale yeast
Water filled to 5 gallon line
My calculations give me a OG of about 1.1 and if I can find a yeast to give me a final ABV of 9% - 11%, I'll end up with a FG of 1.035 (for 9%) to 1.021 (for 11%).
I am not sure what yeast to use. I was hoping for some suggestions. I am also wondering about the spices I plan on adding. Any suggestions there? Will this be too sweet? Should I reduce the honey?
Any feedback would be great! Thanks!
EDIT:
New Revised Recipie: (Final revision, I hope)
Ingredients
Primary Ingredients
12 lbs. Clover honey
½ cup of raisins
~4 Gallons water (fill to 5 gallon level)
1 pack of D47, 71B, or Montratchet wine yeast (still deciding)
Secondary Ingredients
12 lbs. of frozen strawberries (Juiced, if possible)
3 lbs. of rhubarb
2 Vanilla Beans
Zest from one lemon
1 teaspoon of Thyme
Backsweetening Ingredients
2 lbs. Clover honey
strawberry juice to taste