Looking for Dry Mead Recipe & Pointers

[lexstarwalker]

Hello friends!

I have recently discovered mead, and it is my new favorite beverage. I have brewed beer before, and now I really want to try brewing mead.

My favorite mead is from Denmark: Dansk Mjod Viking Blod. It is 19% ABV and has hibiscus and hops. My second favorite is by the same brewery, Vikingernes, which is more traditional, with only hobs, no hibiscus. It is 19% ABV as well.

I'd really like to find a recipe that can get as close to one/both of these meads as possible. I've had other meads, and I don't like them at all. I want a high ABV, traditional mead without any weird additives, fruit, etc.

I'd like to start out with gallon or half-gallon batches using growlers. I can get local honey, and I'm considering fireweed honey, as it's the best honey I've ever tasted and there's a farm nearby.

Can you recommend any recipes for me? Also any tips for brewing small batches or any general mead brewing tips will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[fatbloke]

Well, here's some good reading matter to get you started.

Dry meads can be an acquired taste, and they can also need considerable ageing in many cases.

Not overly difficult to make though.......

 

[gratus fermentatio]

This a great book to read before you start making mead:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0937381802/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
I have a copy on my shelf & still use it.

Basic mead is really just honey (about 3lbs/gal.), water, yeast, yeast nutrient/energizer/DAP (DiAmmonium Phosphate) & time. I'd choose a nice varietal & save the "wildflower" honey for the melomels.
Regards, GF.

 

[loveofrose]

Both of the meads you talked about are sweet meads. Are you sure you want dry mead?

 

[blakelyc]

+1 on the Compleat Meadmaker. Wonderful book.... I am on my 2nd season with meads, and I follow procedures in that book for everything.

 

[Bluespark]

I second the need to age a dry mead, especially one over 12% . My dry traditional(made with Tasmanian leatherwood honey) is 14% and wasn't even close to good until 8 months. I have a sweet strawberry at 19% that is still not even close to being done and it's 14 months old