Hi everyone!
So my first 10L fermenter is off to a good start I believe. My aim is a Christmas inspired metheglin, like so many others, but not following any one specific recipe as I want to add, monitor and control the flavors in secondary. Here's what's done so far:
In the fermenter
3 Kg honey (approx 1.5L)
7.5L water
10g M05 (Jack Mangrove's)
4 tsp ammonium hydrogen phosphate
Original gravity: 107.2 (measured 98 at 30C and used calculator as hydrometer was calibrated for 20C)
Potential ABV: 15.3%
Status as of post: running now almost 24h, stirred twice, bubbling really well, around 1 bubble per 1.5s
Objective: I'm thinking to try and get it semi-sweet (perhaps around 10 points) because dry wouldn't be so christmassy, and then flavor it.
And now a few questions:
1. Should I keep on stirring daily during all of primary until no bubbles are seen and gravity is where I want it?
2. As I understand, it is recommended that I drill-stir after racking to secondary to get rid of bad gases. Does this always apply?
3. If I want semi-sweet, but adding flavors in secondary, should I consider that when choosing/aiming final gravity? I assume flavors would affect perceived sweetness, e.g. star anise adds a sweet kick.
4. What's the best way to stop the yeast if I want to stop it for example at 10 points gravity? I understand racking itself slows it down significantly, but not sure what else to do.
5. I'm considering adding the following flavors:
- cinnamon
- cloves
- vanilla
- star anise
- cardamom pods
And perhaps:
- safron (mainly for color)
- dried orange zest (to make it a bit more "fresh"
- nutmeg
- oak chips
Any opinions, experiences, links to recipes, relating to any and all the above flavors are most welcome.
6. Given the previous list of flavors, and that I want to control the flavor, is the best flavoring method the pure vodka flavors extract method the most suitable? Or could I get good control with a tea bag of flavoring in the beginning if secondary?
And that's all!
Truly appreciate any responses, critics, corrections, suggestions and opinions
Cheers!
So my first 10L fermenter is off to a good start I believe. My aim is a Christmas inspired metheglin, like so many others, but not following any one specific recipe as I want to add, monitor and control the flavors in secondary. Here's what's done so far:
In the fermenter
3 Kg honey (approx 1.5L)
7.5L water
10g M05 (Jack Mangrove's)
4 tsp ammonium hydrogen phosphate
Original gravity: 107.2 (measured 98 at 30C and used calculator as hydrometer was calibrated for 20C)
Potential ABV: 15.3%
Status as of post: running now almost 24h, stirred twice, bubbling really well, around 1 bubble per 1.5s
Objective: I'm thinking to try and get it semi-sweet (perhaps around 10 points) because dry wouldn't be so christmassy, and then flavor it.
And now a few questions:
1. Should I keep on stirring daily during all of primary until no bubbles are seen and gravity is where I want it?
2. As I understand, it is recommended that I drill-stir after racking to secondary to get rid of bad gases. Does this always apply?
3. If I want semi-sweet, but adding flavors in secondary, should I consider that when choosing/aiming final gravity? I assume flavors would affect perceived sweetness, e.g. star anise adds a sweet kick.
4. What's the best way to stop the yeast if I want to stop it for example at 10 points gravity? I understand racking itself slows it down significantly, but not sure what else to do.
5. I'm considering adding the following flavors:
- cinnamon
- cloves
- vanilla
- star anise
- cardamom pods
And perhaps:
- safron (mainly for color)
- dried orange zest (to make it a bit more "fresh"
- nutmeg
- oak chips
Any opinions, experiences, links to recipes, relating to any and all the above flavors are most welcome.
6. Given the previous list of flavors, and that I want to control the flavor, is the best flavoring method the pure vodka flavors extract method the most suitable? Or could I get good control with a tea bag of flavoring in the beginning if secondary?
And that's all!
Truly appreciate any responses, critics, corrections, suggestions and opinions
Cheers!
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