Hello all!
I decided to try making mead for the first time since I've really enjoyed the few meads that I've had in the past and was inspired by a Modern Rogue episode (some probably already know where I'm going with the title now).
My father also used to brew beer when I was a kid, so while I don't know much about the brewing process, I felt it was something I could try out and see if I enjoyed it.
I decided to go with as basic of a setup as I could, since Im just getting my feet wet and didn't want much fuss. I apologize if Im committing horrible sins.
I'm running two 1 gallon batches, aiming for a sweet, still mead around 20% ABV.
The batches were started on 09/14/18
One batch is using bottled distilled water, the other is using bottled spring water, other than that, the recipe is the same for both:
-5 pounds "Pure 'N Simple" honey
-1 gallon of water
-1/2 packet of Lalvin EC-1118
I poured water out of the jugs that the water came in into a separate container until I had enough room to pour 5 pounds of honey in.
I then refilled the jug with missing water until I felt there was enough space that carbonation wouldn't be a problem (I did not know about headspace at the time).
I shook the honey filled water jugs until the mixture looked consistent throughout, and there was no honey still settling at the bottom.
At this point I took my initial gravity and ABV readings. I don't have the exact numbers off the top of my head, but I believe the distilled was around 18% potential and the spring water was around 22% potential. Both were around 1.02 initial gravity.
I took some of the distilled water and heated it up to ~95 degrees Farenheit (measured with a thermometer) and let the yeast hydrate for 20 seconds (I misread the back of the packet and thought the "00:20" was 20 seconds, not 20 minutes!).
Each gallon got half of this hydrated yeast.
I added the yeast to the must and shook up the jugs again to mix it in.
I covered the top of each of the jugs with a balloon with 10 holes poked with a sewing needle, and taped the balloon down.
The jugs have been sitting in a box in the bathroom, with box sides high enough that even with the lights on, the jugs are in the shade.
The balloons have been... erect... since about day 2.
For about the first week, I gave each jug a solid jostle every day to keep the yeast active and check the CO2 production.
After the first week, I gave them a light jostle every other day or so.
It's now been exactly 4 weeks, and I'm starting to consider adding additives in order to stop the fermentation, and then rack/bottle(?) until the mead clears before tasting.
I have NOT taken any extra readings since I started fermentation, I plan to do that when I get home, but I wanted to go ahead and get some input since I've mostly been doing this blind and low-effort.
I hope no one is cringing too hard, I realize this is extremely basic and I've probably committed some horrible atrocities in some circles, but I'm open to advice on how to make my current batch the best it can be.
Thanks!
I decided to try making mead for the first time since I've really enjoyed the few meads that I've had in the past and was inspired by a Modern Rogue episode (some probably already know where I'm going with the title now).
My father also used to brew beer when I was a kid, so while I don't know much about the brewing process, I felt it was something I could try out and see if I enjoyed it.
I decided to go with as basic of a setup as I could, since Im just getting my feet wet and didn't want much fuss. I apologize if Im committing horrible sins.
I'm running two 1 gallon batches, aiming for a sweet, still mead around 20% ABV.
The batches were started on 09/14/18
One batch is using bottled distilled water, the other is using bottled spring water, other than that, the recipe is the same for both:
-5 pounds "Pure 'N Simple" honey
-1 gallon of water
-1/2 packet of Lalvin EC-1118
I poured water out of the jugs that the water came in into a separate container until I had enough room to pour 5 pounds of honey in.
I then refilled the jug with missing water until I felt there was enough space that carbonation wouldn't be a problem (I did not know about headspace at the time).
I shook the honey filled water jugs until the mixture looked consistent throughout, and there was no honey still settling at the bottom.
At this point I took my initial gravity and ABV readings. I don't have the exact numbers off the top of my head, but I believe the distilled was around 18% potential and the spring water was around 22% potential. Both were around 1.02 initial gravity.
I took some of the distilled water and heated it up to ~95 degrees Farenheit (measured with a thermometer) and let the yeast hydrate for 20 seconds (I misread the back of the packet and thought the "00:20" was 20 seconds, not 20 minutes!).
Each gallon got half of this hydrated yeast.
I added the yeast to the must and shook up the jugs again to mix it in.
I covered the top of each of the jugs with a balloon with 10 holes poked with a sewing needle, and taped the balloon down.
The jugs have been sitting in a box in the bathroom, with box sides high enough that even with the lights on, the jugs are in the shade.
The balloons have been... erect... since about day 2.
For about the first week, I gave each jug a solid jostle every day to keep the yeast active and check the CO2 production.
After the first week, I gave them a light jostle every other day or so.
It's now been exactly 4 weeks, and I'm starting to consider adding additives in order to stop the fermentation, and then rack/bottle(?) until the mead clears before tasting.
I have NOT taken any extra readings since I started fermentation, I plan to do that when I get home, but I wanted to go ahead and get some input since I've mostly been doing this blind and low-effort.
I hope no one is cringing too hard, I realize this is extremely basic and I've probably committed some horrible atrocities in some circles, but I'm open to advice on how to make my current batch the best it can be.
Thanks!
