Beer Forum

I got 16 pounds of orange blossom honey, probably gonna use about 14 pounds, I'm thinking about 3.5 gallons of water, maybe a little more. I'm just gonna heat it to no higher than 120 at the most. I'm going for 5 gallons at the most.

Anybody got any tips for a first time mead maker folks?

What about the water? I use RO water with it built up depending on the style when I brew beer. Should I just use straight RO water or what?

ScottyB-Brewing wrote:I'm just gonna heat it to no higher than 120 at the most.

Why?

What's your plan for nutrients? Unlike malt, honey lacks many nutrients (particularly FAN) needed by the yeast.

siwelwerd wrote:

ScottyB-Brewing wrote:I'm just gonna heat it to no higher than 120 at the most.

Why?

What's your plan for nutrients? Unlike malt, honey lacks many nutrients (particularly FAN) needed by the yeast.

In a few minutes I'm going to the brew supply shop to get nutrients and advice on how to use'em. The reason why I don't wanna heat it to hot is because that's what I've heard from other folks who have made the mead.

I really appreciate the quick comment, I need all the info and help I can get

I don't do a lot of meads, but the only heat I do is to place the container of honey in a hot water bath. It makes it easier to pour & it mixes with the water much easier.

ScottyB-Brewing wrote:The reason why I don't wanna heat it to hot is because that's what I've heard from other folks who have made the mead.

No, actually I meant "Why are you heating the honey at all?" If anything, I would just pour some hot water into the semi-empty honey container to help get the last bits of honey out, but that's it.

Buy, beg, borrow, or steal a copy of Ken Schramm's book. It's pretty great.

siwelwerd wrote:
No, actually I meant "Why are you heating the honey at all?" If anything, I would just pour some hot water into the semi-empty honey container to help get the last bits of honey out, but that's it.

Buy, beg, borrow, or steal a copy of Ken Schramm's book. It's pretty great.

I get it now! Thanks chief! So I'll only warm the honey enough to flow

I used this http://morebeer.com/images/file.php?file_id=2143 for my first mead and it turned out great. If you have a kegging system consider carbonating some. I bottled after with a counter pressure filler in cork and cage bottles and it was a hit at New Years.

Cheers!

EL TIZZO wrote:I used this http://morebeer.com/images/file.php?file_id=2143 for my first mead and it turned out great. If you have a kegging system consider carbonating some. I bottled after with a counter pressure filler in cork and cage bottles and it was a hit at New Years.

Cheers!

I was thinking about kegging it, currently I only have one keg but who knows by the time this mead is done I may have more. I love meads that are a little carbonated, probably much easier to force carbonate than to bottle condition, I'd be worried about bottle bombs.

Well anyways I did it today and I have it in the carboy, I used almost a tablespoon of yeast nutrient for a little less than 5 gallons and I used 118 Champagne yeast. The starting gravity was 1.126.

I'll keep you folks posted on how it turns out. Thanks again gang.