Mead Lover's Digest #48 Thu 03 December 1992


Forum for Discussion of Mead Brewing and Consuming
John Dilley, Digest Coordinator

Contents:

milk and honey ("Daniel F McConnell")
questions (Michael Galloway)

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Date: 1 Dec 1992 09:48:30 -0500
From: "Daniel F McConnell" <Daniel.F.McConnell@med.umich.edu>
Subject: milk and honey

                       
Subject: Time:9:45 AM

OFFICE MEMO milk and honey
Date:12/1/92

Whilst researching a talk on the making of mead for the Third Annual Taste of
The Great Lakes Regional Homebrew Conference, I came upon a number of
references to "milk and honey", including Biblical as in "the land of…."
Anyway, during a sleepless night (due to a 2 month-old daughter) I had an
inspiration. Were these guys talking about fermenting the stuff??? Sure
enough the next thing I knew (4AM) I was gently heating a gallon of whole milk
containing 2.5 lb of honey (no acid this time, I was afraid it would curdle the
milk). Fermentation proceeded well, except for lots of some cheesy floating
material. Racking produced a revelation…this stuff tastes like sweetened
Devon cream! No sour-milk taste at all. Now the questions. What is this? Is
this a Metheglin? Has anyone else tried something similar? Would this be good
on Wheaties?
DanMcC


Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1992 11:05:27 -0500
From: mgx@solid.ssd.ornl.gov (Michael Galloway)
Subject: questions

Hello Mead Makers,

I have finally managed to get psyched up to do some 1 gal batches of mead
and realize that i have a few questions. Let me say thanks in advance and
please pardon me if I ask any really dumb questions.

First, what are the 'standard' texts on meadmaking? I am basing
my first attempts on Papazian's NCJOHB homebrewing book. I like
technical books, like Miller's homebrewing book.

Second, is there a consensus on yeasts? Is mead essentially wine
and should I use my favorite wine yeast?

Third, Initial gravities? What is an appropriate initial gravity?
I guess what I'm getting at is what is the appropriate dilution of
honey with water?

Forth, what about balancing the acid of the 'must'? I can do acid
titrations. Is there an appropriate acid level for mead?

Fifth, is there a consensus on the idea of boiling the must? Or
do people just pasteurize at 160-170 F. One of my favorite aspects
of honey is the aroma.

Sixth, are spices and other adjuncts necessary or is plain honey
mead acceptable.

Well, thats about all i can think of off the top of my head. Any other
advice will be greatly appreciated!

Michael D. Galloway (mgx@solid.ssd.ornl.gov)
v-(615)574-5785 f-(615)574-4143
Living in the WasteLand (of Beer, that is)



End of Mead Lover's Digest