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GotMead? Mead Calculator Pretty Accurate?

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Brego Brew

NewBee
Registered Member
Jan 4, 2011
93
0
0
I'm almost ready to begin a Raspberry Melomel and I've been using the GotMead? calculator to determine the poundage of honey to use in a 5 gallon batch. The calc. says 12.5 lbs. honey for 5 gallons which creates a specific gravity must of 1.09 and that is an ABV of 12.22% with a final gravity of 0.998.
The Raspberries will be racked onto after fermentation is complete.

Does that sound right to you guys? Pretty accurate?

Thanks,
Jonas
 

Brego Brew

NewBee
Registered Member
Jan 4, 2011
93
0
0
That sounds like what will happen with a wine yeast. It'll finish pretty dry.

I'll be backsweetening Just before Bottling, so no prob! :)

Sounds about right. Keep in mind that your berries will dilute the abv.

Yes, I've thought of this. I plan on racking to sorbate and sulphite before the berries, allowing to sit for about 2 - 4 days, in order to cease any surviving yeast-ies.
 

Medsen Fey

Fuselier since 2007
Premium Patron
The calculator gives pretty good estimates, and it is a great tool, but sometimes you find when you use a particular honey, the numbers are quite a bit off. It is best to use less than you think you need, and see where that gets you, and go up from there.
 

Brego Brew

NewBee
Registered Member
Jan 4, 2011
93
0
0
The calculator gives pretty good estimates, and it is a great tool, but sometimes you find when you use a particular honey, the numbers are quite a bit off. It is best to use less than you think you need, and see where that gets you, and go up from there.

I did think of that, but very good suggestion! I'm thinking what I'll do is Thoroughly mix in 11 lbs honey, instead of the full 12.5, and then take a hydrometer reading.

That brings up a question I've been meaning to ask. Hydrometer, or Refractometer? I like the idea of a Refract., so what are the pro's and con's?

Thanks,
Jonas
 
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