Base Idea: Recipe for Antipodal Mead
Own Recipe (spur of the moment):
10 lbs. (abut 4.5 Kg) Natural Unpasteurized Honey (Howard's Honey)
3 Tbsp. Cinnamon
1 Tbsp. Cayenne Pepper
2 Tbsp. Nutmeg
(1 tsp. Gypsum) - I can't remember if this was added or not!
1 Tbsp. Super Nutrient
1 Tbsp. Irish Moss Flakes
27 drops Red Food Coloring
1 packet Reductive? Wine Yeast (Blue Writing on Packet) #1116
Tuesday, February 22/94
Heated about 6 cups of water. As it got very warm to the touch, began to add the Honey. 10 lbs. (1 pail) of honey was added. Some was liquid, but most had solidified and needed to be spooned into the mix. Not long before the boil, the other ingredients were added (except for the food coloring). I can't remember if I added the Gypsum Powder or not! The mixture was boiled for 20 minutes, then poured into sterilized plastic pail. Some boiled water was added, as well as enough water from the tap to bring it near the 25 litre mark. (There is at this time no real "mark" on the plastic pail, so I had to guess)
Took Readings: Temp 29; 1.060 SG
That evening, I took measurements again. Temp 23.5; 1.061 SG. I then rehydrated the wine yeast in warm water for 15 minutes. This was added to the mead. The pail was covered with a garbage bag.
Wednesday, February 23/94
Checked fermentation progress. 1.050 SG.
Thursday, March 03/94
Took Readings: Temp: 22 degrees; S.G.: 1.020
Transferred to Carboy1 from Pail. Rinsed mouth with rye before siphon, but mead was sweet with just a hint of the cinnamon that I was afraid would be overpowering. Looks at this point like pink lemonade, cloudiness included. Topped up carboy with tap water (about 12 cups).
Tuesday, April 05/94
Added finings to the Mead.
Reading: .992 S.G.
Saturday, April 16/94
Bottled all Mead in beer bottles with addition of 1.3 to 1.6 cups of sugar (can't remember the exact amount).
Reading: .992 S.G.
Alcohol Content=
1.060 - 0.992 = .068 x 105 = 7.14% by Weight
7.14 x 1.25 = 8.93% by Volume
Final Appreciation:
A little harsh, but a wonderful taste. I can't drink more than one at a sitting because of my stomach. The color is amberish-red and clear as crystal. This batch was brewed in anticipation of a god friend's impending marriage. That friend is no longer with us. We miss you, Andy!
| Main Mead | Recipes | THE DELVE |
