• 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.

Does it frighten anybody how little experienced distillers know about meadmaking?

Barrel Char Wood Products

fatbloke

good egg/snappy dresser.....
GotMead Patron
Doesn't surprise me one jot!

So many of them seem to think they're "old time" distillers. Thinking that if they read a little on the net, combine that with grandpappies old shine recipe, that they'll be master distillers.

In truth, they could easily get all the info here but seem to presume that it's just like making a corn wash or something..........
 

fatbloke

good egg/snappy dresser.....
GotMead Patron
Not necessarily. There are many "variations on a theme". Logic would be that you'd make whatever you're distilling, so as to be as clear and pure as possible. If you look "around the bazaars", you'll read and see pictures of many different variations of the same thing i.e. pot still or reflux still, method of heating (direct, steam, indirect, immersion element, etc etc), distilling on the sediment/mash/pulp, etc etc.

If you then either watch "Moonshiners", or just look up about it on the net, you'll see they often use the tank/boiler for fermentation and distillation, without removing the yeast or other corn debris. This does seem counter intuitive but it entirely depends on many factors, whether you end up with a nice tasting, quality product, or one that is more horrible than hell with a nasty burnt/scorched taste etc.

Hence don't be surprised to read, what seem like very strange methods of production, as well as a distinct lack of knowledge about what many of us mead makers do as a matter of routine. They just do some stuff differently to achieve, effectively, the same aim........

The fact that commercially produced "honey liquor" products are quite rare and regional, is likely about the increased cost of materials and higher cost of production of those materials............ Of the few available "honey liquor" or spirit drinks that have a honey flavour, I think you'll find that most of them are like vodka that's had honey mixed in..........
 

mannye

Administrator
Administrator
Moderator
Oct 10, 2012
4,167
25
38
57
Miami Beach, FL
Doesn't surprise me one jot!

So many of them seem to think they're "old time" distillers. Thinking that if they read a little on the net, combine that with grandpappies old shine recipe, that they'll be master distillers.

In truth, they could easily get all the info here but seem to presume that it's just like making a corn wash or something..........

Problem is that mead and beer makers on the whole, aren't perfect stereotypical caricatures. They are a diverse group that embraces all types and includes many people with a very high level of education.

Moonshining, despite being MUCH more dangerous and requiring a lot more care, seems to attract those who are (this is a generalization now...so no angry letter from the one vegan literature professor that distills...I know you're out there...) seems to attract a large contingent that personifies the stereotypical character we all know. Those guys generally know everything and have nothing to learn from anyone else.

I can tell you that it's been a chore wading through the net to find reliable advice. SO it's not just that they don't know much about mead, but that they are barely able to distill!

That said, I have come across some very good people in that area that both know their stuff and are very pleasant but where here that's the rule, I find it's almost an exception there.
 
Barrel Char Wood Products

Viking Brew Vessels - Authentic Drinking Horns