• PATRONS: Did you know we've a chat function for you now? Look to the bottom of the screen, you can chat, set up rooms, talk to each other individually or in groups! Click 'Chat' at the right side of the chat window to open the chat up.
  • Love Gotmead and want to see it grow? Then consider supporting the site and becoming a Patron! If you're logged in, click on your username to the right of the menu to see how as little as $30/year can get you access to the patron areas and the patron Facebook group and to support Gotmead!
  • We now have a Patron-exclusive Facebook group! Patrons my join at The Gotmead Patron Group. You MUST answer the questions, providing your Patron membership, when you request to join so I can verify your Patron membership. If the questions aren't answered, the request will be turned down.

Bottling

Barrel Char Wood Products

Dmntd

NewBee
Registered Member
Apr 18, 2005
1,002
1
0
62
I have about 5 1/2 gallons of mead thats ready to bottle, by my math I need 27 - 750ml bottles.

Does the color of the glass make any differance? (2 1/2 gallons, a nice red pomegranate mead)

Would cycling the bottles (neck down) through the dish washer serve to sanitize them?

With over two cases of bottles needing corks this weekend, and a 5 gallon batch started last night, any recommendations as to which floor corker is the best?

Any advice on storing bottled mead?

Anthony
 

David Baldwin

NewBee
Registered Member
Jun 29, 2004
860
1
0
Grand Rapids, MI
OK, I'm no expert here (cellar rats - namely me - make it hard to bottle age my own)

Dark is always best. Especially if you have not stabilized with sulphites and sorbate.

I like to use brown bottles when I can, although I do scrounge bottles, and have a stash of clear and green. I'll probably use more of those when I get a floor corker.

My LHBS has a really neat floor corker that will do everything from magnums down to the little 185ml bottles. It seems to function well and only sets you back about $50. I haven't gotten one yet.

I have an abundance of brown long-neck Samual Adams bottles, so I bought a capper the other night. I'm in love with it. It is easy to use and makes a good seal.

I try very hard to keep my aging meads out of the light. Eventually I'll have an area of my basement that is set up as a wine cellar. I'll keep the humidity constant and keep the light out entirely.

(dreaming big here now - I'd love to eventually have an oak barrel or two for aging)

I have used the dishwasher to sterilize the bottles with good results. I use a cup of bleach - unscented - and let it dry on the heat cycle.
 

Val

NewBee
Registered Member
Mar 8, 2005
110
0
0
Are you using wine or champagne bottles?

If they are wine, and it is sparkling, be very careful about glass grenades.

If you're using champagne bottles, you can always use plastic corks with cages, then you don't need a corker.

Personally, I put most of my mead (anything I intend to drink myself rather than give away) in used plastic 2-liter bottles, and then use champagne bottles for gifts.
 

Dmntd

NewBee
Registered Member
Apr 18, 2005
1,002
1
0
62
I understand the problem with celler rats ;), I need to bottle the pomegranate mead so I can save some for the holidays. The straight mead is to sweet for my taste (my woman likes it), so there's less worry of it evaporating before I can bottle it.

This batch is not a sparkling mead, thought I'd use wine bottles. I've used 2 liter bottles to get the mead out of the carboy's (to much headspace) and into the fridge.

Anthony
 

storm1969

NewBee
Registered Member
Jun 13, 2005
600
1
0
54
Columbia, MD
Actually, As long as they are not being stored in the sunlight, any color will do. My really pretty wines and meads I put into clear bottles to show them off.

Do get a floor cork if you are going to be corking a lot of bottles. It will save you alot of sweat and anguish.

And storing, just like wine. Cool dark location temp stable between 54-64. humidity between 50-70%.

Enjoy.
 
Barrel Char Wood Products

Viking Brew Vessels - Authentic Drinking Horns