Mead Questions

For any alcoholic brew that doesn't fit into any of the above categories!
DREADSKIN

Re: Mead Questions

Post by DREADSKIN » Thu Jan 22, 2009 3:36 pm

YEAH, I ADD THE JIUCE OF A LEMON AND ITS ZEST, NUTRIENT AND A CUP OF VERY, VERY STRONG BLACK TEA (MADE WITH 3-4 TEA BAGS). HONEY HAS NO NUTRIENTS OR ACIDIC OR TANNIC QUALITIES.

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Laripu
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Re: Mead Questions

Post by Laripu » Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:24 pm

mrbenbod wrote:Laripu, do you add tannin, yeast nutrient and citric acid to your meads?
Short answer: Yes. More involved answer follows:

Grape tannin as recomended in whatever recipe I'm using.

Yeast nutrient per 23 litre batch: 6 teaspoons commercial yeast nutrient + 1 scant teaspoon of Marmite.

I don't use citric acid, I use a commercially available acid blend. it contains, citric, malic and tartaric acids. The ratio is: 50% tartaric acid, 30% malic acid and 20% citric acid. I use an amount as specified by the recipe, usually, unless I've added some fruit in the must that has acid on its own.
Secondary FV: As yet unnamed Weizenbock ~7%
Bulk aging: Soodo: Grocery store grape juice wine experiment.
Drinking: Evan Williams bourbon, Dewar's Scotch (white label), VO Canadian whisky. Various Sam Adams beers.

mrbenbod

Re: Mead Questions

Post by mrbenbod » Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:36 am

Should I let my mead clear naturally, or add something to help it clear?
It's 3 months old now and still no sign of it clearing, although it smells rather nice.
It had an acrid smell a month ago but already seems to have mellowed.

DREADSKIN

Re: Mead Questions

Post by DREADSKIN » Tue Feb 03, 2009 2:10 am

ir will keep on mellowing out the longer you leave it, and it will clear eventually too. however if it tastes good enough you could add bentonite. thats what i use. it sometimes doesnt work the first time tho...

mrbenbod

Re: Mead Questions

Post by mrbenbod » Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:04 pm

Ok, thanks.
I'd like to get it bottled if possible, but if I was going to leave it to clear naturally would it be OK to bottle it and let it clear in the bottle or should i leave it in the dj to clear before bottling?

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Laripu
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Re: Mead Questions

Post by Laripu » Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:21 pm

mrbenbod wrote:Ok, thanks.
I'd like to get it bottled if possible, but if I was going to leave it to clear naturally would it be OK to bottle it and let it clear in the bottle or should i leave it in the dj to clear before bottling?
The less yeast you have in the bottle, the less risk you have of off-flavours resulting from yeast autolysis. My opinion is to let it clear in the dj.
Last edited by Laripu on Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Secondary FV: As yet unnamed Weizenbock ~7%
Bulk aging: Soodo: Grocery store grape juice wine experiment.
Drinking: Evan Williams bourbon, Dewar's Scotch (white label), VO Canadian whisky. Various Sam Adams beers.

mrbenbod

Re: Mead Questions

Post by mrbenbod » Wed Feb 04, 2009 4:27 pm

Nice one, then thats what i'll do.
Thank you.

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Laripu
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Re: Mead Questions

Post by Laripu » Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:11 pm

mrbenbod wrote:Nice one, then thats what i'll do.
Thank you.
You're very welcome!
Secondary FV: As yet unnamed Weizenbock ~7%
Bulk aging: Soodo: Grocery store grape juice wine experiment.
Drinking: Evan Williams bourbon, Dewar's Scotch (white label), VO Canadian whisky. Various Sam Adams beers.

arturobandini
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Location: North London

Re: Mead Questions

Post by arturobandini » Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:12 pm

Good old Mead!

I have a red wine fermenting at the moment but as soon as it stops fermenting it's into a clean demijohn and off to clear. I'm going to throw a pyment onto the slurry and then might be able to get a sip by Christmas.
Planning - Not for a long while

Fermenting - I'm Done

Bottle Maturing - Hobgoblin, Fullers ESB, American Stout, TOP, Fullers London Porter, Bandini Black IPA

Drinking - Still...Whiskey

Benson_JV

Re: Mead Questions

Post by Benson_JV » Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:52 am

Good luck with the mead.
Just ahead now is a very long wait :evil:
Mine's all nice & clear but i "have to" let it mature for at least a year :shock:

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