New mead Thread

[Jason the Brewer]

So who is making mead now?

[larry mc cullough]

yo jason i"m going to do my first mead maybe next week any tips

[Jason the Brewer]

For your first one I'd keep it simple. Use good water and good honey. Just keep your stuff clean like brewing and it should go well.

If you don't have it, get the Complete Meadmaker. Great book and I use it a lot.

When you get to fermentation, keep the mead in a nice cool spot, 60-70 degrees, and let it sit for a while. I let my meads go for a month.

What yeast are you going to use? When you pitch, add some yeast nutrient. Then in 8-24 hours, add some more. I think I added a tablespoon or so, I need to recheck.

[Inhiding Aaron]

Also check out Gotmead.com  Great online resource that helped me in my mead attempt.

[David Teckam]

There's also good info on www.bjcp.org There's a Mead Study Guide (for preparing for the mead exam) that's plenty of good information in one place.
I had an orange blossom mead today. Kind of strong

[akaryrye]

Made an orange mead from a recipe called: "Joes Ancient Orange Mead".  I did modify it though by using less honey and oranges, and didnt have a cinnamon stick so haven't put it in yet.   Original Recipe ---->  http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f80/joes-ancient-orange-mead-49106/

5gal:
10lbs honey
3 oranges
2 cups raisins
7 cloves
wy 1056 yeast

[Jason the Brewer]

Ooo that sounds tasty!

[akaryrye]

well, the 2 jars of 1056 in my fridge were duds after 6 months ... should have known.  So now i am pitching a trusty packet of S-04 which I am sure will turn out a fine mead as well.  My main concern at this point is it being overly dry.  I tend to like dry finishes since I try to watch my calorie intake but also like to get buzzed when I drink, if it is too dry can I sweeten with splenda?

[Jason the Brewer]

well, the 2 jars of 1056 in my fridge were duds after 6 months ... should have known.  So now i am pitching a trusty packet of S-04 which I am sure will turn out a fine mead as well.  My main concern at this point is it being overly dry.  I tend to like dry finishes since I try to watch my calorie intake but also like to get buzzed when I drink, if it is too dry can I sweeten with splenda?

I'd avoid adding refined sugar to the mead and instead blend it with more honey or sweeter mead. Add honey or sweeter mead to taste.

Aaron had a mead go too dry and he blended back in honey with pretty good results.

I make my meads all over the place and then blend them to taste.

[BrewerDano]

"I tend to like dry finishes since I try to watch my calorie intake"

A dry beer or a sweet beer; either can have too many calories, depending wholly on the OG.  If you are really wanting to watch your intake of calories, but still want either a dry or sweet beer- try some low alcohol English beers!  Some Bitters can be on the drier side, and deliciously drinkable.  Milds can be on the sweeter side, and be equally as tasty.  Both can clock in around a whopping 3% ABV! 

In fact, I have a delicious Dry Stout on tap at the house now, for 3% ABV at 164 cal/pint (according to BeerSmith calculations)

[akaryrye]

thanks dano, perhaps I need to venture into some low alcohol beers.  So no go on the splenda then.  Still not gonna give up the higher gravity beer, just cant overindulge in those suckers