Recent content by Alcoholic Andy

From what I could find it is this: Common Huckleberry - Vaccinium membranaceum Other Names: Vaccinium globulare Not to be a smart ass but I found them out in the woods. I have lots of free time on my hands, took me 4 hours to pick a gallon! Just had to beat the lone grizzly bear that ran off...

The day finally arrived! Took reading it's at .998 so it's 12.6 % . Well outside it goes to cold crash. Grabbed a wine glass for obligatory sample. After being in the fridge for about 4 hrs here is what I taste. I by no means am an tasting expert, so in layman's terms....It smells faintly like...

RC212 yeast still working on what little sugars are left. On Sept 23 reading was 1.008, yesterday down to 1.004. It has gotten cold up here and my brewing equipment is in apart of the house not currently being heated. So temps in the 50's for lows, slowing down the fermentation. Smells terrific...

Took reading this evening and at 1.022 last bit of nutrient and energizer . I fell behind monitoring this mead due to pressing apples the last few days. I have a cyser planed this weekend and still have choke cherries to pick. Happy brewing everyone.

Well this morning pulled the mesh and teabags, took reading and it's 1.044, fermenting at 65-68°f. Smells wonderful.

What makes me think I overdid with the oak was i had toasted oak chips in a pint jar with vodka. It sat for nearly a year (i forgot about it in the cupboard). Was trying to pour a little bit in the carboys and the entire contents went in. I figured out i wouldn't let it sit on the contents as...

Well since I pitched last week, on Thursday reading was 1.072, added nutrient and energizer. Pulled out the huckleberries and they were all nearly whole even after thawing and mashing them with potato masher. So they got to meet the Ol' blender. Still smells awesome.

Took reading after foam subsided and we are at 1.094 and pitched 2 packets of rehydrated rc212 yeast. Will update accordingly. Thanks.

I know that I was just sick of seeing the box. Might add some body of i added more, that was want i was thinking with the gjc. Before I pitch the yeast I 'll take another reading, and add my nutrient and energizer. Excellent news on the info on this yeast. Thank you.

Well went to town to get supplies and forgot more honey. So here is what I am doing, 12lbs of Costco honey, 10 lbs huckleberry, 10 huckleberry tea bags, 5 lbs sugar (forgot honey) 1 can white grape juice concentrate and 1 cup raisins (h honestly I was just sick of seeing the box so used what was...

It might give a canned peach taste. It happened to mine this spring. It wasn't bad, just not what I was going for. I added peach pie spices and it was delicious.

Rc212 looks promising, if my LHBS has it I'll use it. The huckleberry tea are in bags, it also has Ceylon tea in it. I need to try one to see how potent it is. I'm getting excited about this mead. Thanks everyone for your help!

Good idea, gives me lots of flexibility. I can then figure out how much tea bags to use.

Yes I have smaller carboys. Will pick up more honey. Need to research which yeast will enhance what the huckleberry brings to the table. After thinking about it I might break this batch of huckleberry into 2 fermentations. That way of it goes south i limit my losses.

I have to get to the LHBS so this weekend I can pickup as much yeast as needed. So that is where I am flexible. I can pick up more honey and a different yeast. And any other additional ingredients. I do have plenty of yeast energizer and nutrient and if necessary can pick up honey. Typical 1/3...