After spending over a year talking about trying my hand at mead, I finally bit the bullet and did it. I've read a lot of info on the net and a lot of the postings here. I also bought a copy of "The Complete Meadmaker" at the same time I bought my equipment. While on a recent trip to AZ (I live in MI), I found a store that specializes in honey and bought 2 different types to get me started. Of course, when it came time to start my first batch, I chickened out and grabbed a container of honey that came from Petosky about 10 years ago. I have no idea what it is, but guess that it is a mix of wildflower and clover. I figured that for my first, using something I got for free would be better in case of total loss.
The recipe ended up as follows:
1g + 2.5C Honey - My 1g jar weighed 10lbs, so I added extra to get to 12.5lbs
2 tsp nutrient
1 tsp energizer
1 vial of White Labs WLP720
Distilled water to 5.25g.
The process:
Heated 1g water to 115F, added honey. Cooled to about 80F, added nutrient and energizer. Gravity measured at 1.092 at 80F. The reason I have 5.25g total is because I checked gravity after bringing must to 5g and added extra quart of honey to get to 1.092 (I really was hoping for something closer to 1.120 but didn't want increase batch size any more because secondary carboy is only 5g). I used a degassing whip on it for about 5 minutes. Pitched the yeast and set the bottle in the corner of the kitchen. Fermentation became noticible after about 18 hours with 1 blip in about 10 seconds. About 4 days in, the weather changed and the corner that I had the must in was showing 68F. I moved the carboy into my office (where I keep at least 1 computer running all the time and keep the door shut when I'm not there). The must has been sitting at 73F ever since.
I'm now into day 15 since starting and the cylinder type lock is blipping at just under one every 5 seconds. About 4 days ago, the air space filled up with bubbles. I gave the bottle a little shake and a good deal of them broke down, but they returned by the next day.
What I'm looking for here is your opinions on my current situation. At the current rate, how long should I wait before racking to the secondary, or what should the blip rate be? Should I worry about the bubbles (other posts I've read suggest that I shouldn't)? Is there anything else you think I should do to guarantee a drinkable product?
I'm not looking for anything special out of this batch other than experience. The initial must is what I would describe as dark brown. Over the last 2 weeks, it has lightened up a bit, but has not gotten noticibly clearer. I plan on starting a second batch right after racking so I can use my AZ honey. Another question to answer is which honey do you think I should use first? Catclaw or Fairy Duster?
Thanks for reading my ramblings and for any wisdom you wish to impart on this endeavour. I have already gained a small measure of wisdom from other posts.
John A.
The recipe ended up as follows:
1g + 2.5C Honey - My 1g jar weighed 10lbs, so I added extra to get to 12.5lbs
2 tsp nutrient
1 tsp energizer
1 vial of White Labs WLP720
Distilled water to 5.25g.
The process:
Heated 1g water to 115F, added honey. Cooled to about 80F, added nutrient and energizer. Gravity measured at 1.092 at 80F. The reason I have 5.25g total is because I checked gravity after bringing must to 5g and added extra quart of honey to get to 1.092 (I really was hoping for something closer to 1.120 but didn't want increase batch size any more because secondary carboy is only 5g). I used a degassing whip on it for about 5 minutes. Pitched the yeast and set the bottle in the corner of the kitchen. Fermentation became noticible after about 18 hours with 1 blip in about 10 seconds. About 4 days in, the weather changed and the corner that I had the must in was showing 68F. I moved the carboy into my office (where I keep at least 1 computer running all the time and keep the door shut when I'm not there). The must has been sitting at 73F ever since.
I'm now into day 15 since starting and the cylinder type lock is blipping at just under one every 5 seconds. About 4 days ago, the air space filled up with bubbles. I gave the bottle a little shake and a good deal of them broke down, but they returned by the next day.
What I'm looking for here is your opinions on my current situation. At the current rate, how long should I wait before racking to the secondary, or what should the blip rate be? Should I worry about the bubbles (other posts I've read suggest that I shouldn't)? Is there anything else you think I should do to guarantee a drinkable product?
I'm not looking for anything special out of this batch other than experience. The initial must is what I would describe as dark brown. Over the last 2 weeks, it has lightened up a bit, but has not gotten noticibly clearer. I plan on starting a second batch right after racking so I can use my AZ honey. Another question to answer is which honey do you think I should use first? Catclaw or Fairy Duster?
Thanks for reading my ramblings and for any wisdom you wish to impart on this endeavour. I have already gained a small measure of wisdom from other posts.
John A.