Stealth Meadmaker Hookup in Scenic Cabazon, CA

Damn, I'm the most isolated of all the contiguous lower 48 (according to the GM Member Map) and wish I could meet up with some of the peeps here. I thought I was going to be able to make it to the Mazer cup but that has fallen through .....*sigh*.....

Someday I'll be able to travel again damnit! Wish I could have been there.

:cheers:
Wade

Bummer, man! We'll tip a glass or two in your honor at the Mazer Cup, but it won't be the same if you're not there....

Maybe next year! In the meantime, if anybody is passing up this way, look me up.

If I'm still looking for a job this summer, I'm sure I could convince my wife to take some time off from her vacation to travel up to Idaho. We liked our short stay there about 5 years ago (near Tetons & Yellowstone), very pretty country.

Aaron, I'm more in the west central part of the state. Still lots of trees and mountains though!

The only thing better than drinking mead is drinking it with friends. Thanks Sandman and PBakulic. The mead tasting was a delight. I found myself craving more of that pomegranate mead. It's flavors were captivating and memorable, and that smoky-orange color was unique... loved it.
I would advise all meadmakers to become familiar with their nearby mazers and find time to make contact. the Gotmead mazer map is the greatest tool, (Thanks Vicky), but use it wisely.. you'll find yourself booking tickets to Australia.
Looking forward to the next tasting. Xixist

OK, I'm finally back home and online again. It was pretty cool to finally be able to meet up with a couple of other meadmakers and share a few samples. I had a great time as well. Although I've got to admit, the location/conditions were a bit reminiscent of my college days hanging around the tailgate sharing what we all had brought. Especially while keeping an eye out for any passing authority figures. LOL

Thanks for taking the time to get together guys. Totally worth the trip on my end. Of course I'm also glad to hear my meads were so well received. I'm stashing the rest of that Straw-nilla Kiwi until next year to see how it integrates. Being always the more critical reviewer of my meads than anyone else, it's always nice to hear unbiased opinions.

Pete, that sack your brought was great. I'll definitely be putting it on my list of brews to make.

Xixist, I'll be keeping an eye out for updates on that date mead as well. It sounds like it has great potential.

Oh... BTW, the honeys I'm using in my "Honey Test" are Avacado, Cactus, Camelthorn, and Buckwheat. I've never done anything with any of them before so I'm very curious as to how they'll turn out. They're all in secondary now and slowly starting to cear a bit.

I'll be sure to post the results of that one next winter when I bottle them. In the meantime I'm off to rack a few meads...

I currently have a one gallon batch of Cactus and Avocado going as well...also in secondary, but much closer to bottling. I know at last racking they were both very interesting.

The flavor of the Avocado Mead is slightly odd, almost not sure how to explain it, but not quite like avocados taste...just interesting. The Cactus Mead almost seems like a "nice" clover honey to me at this point...not overly pronounced in any varietal aromas or flavors, but overall nice and smooth.

I too (if anyone cares to hear) will update when they are bottled and ready...both of mine are light sack strength and will be still.