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nano-brews to explore the flavor of varietal honeys

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bernardsmith

Got Mead? Patron
GotMead Patron
Sep 1, 2013
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Saratoga Springs , NY
A thought just struck me the other day and for the life of me I have no idea why it has taken me so long to grasp it: I frequently come across varietal honeys (avocado, bamboo, star thistle, apple blossom, leatherwood and the like) packed in 12 oz bottles. I generally avoid such honeys because the cost of making a gallon or more is not inexpensive and I have no idea whether using such star performing varietals would make for meads far more interesting than using wildflower or orange blossom as vehicles for spices and fruit or braggots and bochets but then it dawned on me that rather than make a batch of mead to fit my carboys (1, 3 or 5 gallons) I can just as easily make a batch of mead to use the volume of honey. In other words, 1 quart of must made with 12 oz of honey is the equivalent of 1 gallon using 3 lbs (a starting gravity of about 1.100). Sure, this will only result in a single 750 cc bottle (plus another 250 cc beer bottle) of the mead but that is enough for me to experiment with all kinds of varietals - and with all kinds of yeasts and the "cost" of a batch of bleh! or meh! is a single bottle made from one 20 oz jar of honey, a 1/4 t of nutrient and a pack of yeast and not 3 or 5 gallons of something I would prefer not to drink... Just sayin'... :happy1:
 
I've wondered the same, but like you have been reluctant to experiment. I found a very reputable and reliable supplier of honey relatively close to me. She has a multitude of varietals that I've been anxious to try. Let me know what you find.
 
I have never been not able to rescue something that didn't initially turn out like I had hoped. I would suggest to anyone who can afford it, to make some test batches. Even if it's not what you hoped for. It will give you the opportunity to learn by making a trad into something else once you have said trad in hand. I have learned a lot and gained enough confidence that I am never afraid to make a trad for the first time from a special varietal.
 
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