Im underage ): i wish i could find instructions to make like homemade grapejuice or somethin thats alchohol free.. cause that would be great for when me and my friends larp.
@405OklahomaBrewing difficult to say, it should have an expiration date on it? no? but, being in the fridge helps. I say go for it and see, within a day you will know if it is ok.
Why would anyone thumbs down this guy? He's just teaching you how to make a wonderful Honey Wine. BTW, between the D-47, EC-1118, and the K1-V1116 yeasts which one do you most recommend for best flavor?
@sypoth flavor is a matter of taste I would guess. But I lean toward the D-47 for taste. But, the K1 is great for beginners because it is active and aggressive.
@epicfantasy Thanks for the info, also if I wish to make a smaller batch, say only one gallon do I simply reduce all the quantities by five or is there a more specific reduction?
what if i have a 6 gallon carboy? would there be any problem with making 5 gallons of mead in a 6 gallon carboy, or is there any way i can use this tek to make 6 gallons? just add another gallon of water or what? hope someone can help!
@CrushNazT You can just multiply all the ingredients and make six gallons. Thats the best course of action. Don't add any more yeast though. not necessary.
@CrushNazT Yes you can make 5 gal of mead in a 6 gal carboy. It will take a little longer to start the bubbles in the bubble counter. Or make six gallons.
Thanks for making a great series of videos. I just finished (just moments ago) making my first batch of mead. I used 12 lbs. of wildflower honey, 4 gallons of spring water, a 6 Gallon Glass Carboy and a 6 gallon Plastic bucket to mix in, ohh and I used DL47 yeast, and Fermaid Protect to start off..
I followed your instructions to the letter, minus the sanitizing portion, instead I used unscented bleach and let it sit for about 30 minutes prior to rinsing and mixing.
Is it absolutely necessary to use a glass carboy? I have a 5 gallon bucket and a 7 gallon fermentation bucket (both rather opaque) for brewing beer. Shouldn't these work fine for brewing mead also? Thanks in advance!
@epicfantasy okay so i used one gallon of water and one jar of honey like you have on this video. and one package of extra active yeast. i followed all the steps. how long will it be til its done?
Made round 20L from home made honey!:D And have an old Croatian recipe, over 200yrs old. Today I just opened a bottle, one and a half years old. Needles to say it was perfect!! Though, i do think 1L (if it is old and well brewed) is enough to make you drunk! CHEERS!:D
Check out my bottles of fermenting mead on facebook, my name is Jeremie. Take a look at the yellow one first then look and the the bottle with the cherries floating on top. There is a big difference in color from one day to the next.
Just to save me a lot of headache later, I dumped that batch out and tarted a new one. Just didn't trust the fact that I let it sit that way before contacting you. I am making your fool-proof Mead. Should turn out better anyway.
I just started making my very first batch of Mead. My question is this. Would I have done something wrong if the yeast by product climbed up gas escape tube? After 24 hours though it seems to be working just fine.
@ReverantLoki It should be ok, but I would siphon out an inch or two of the liquid to give everything room, prevent any more over bubbling. You should resanitize that airlock too.
I have a fermenting vessel from a DIY beer kit. Is it possible to use this for mixing/fermenting stages or is the transfer to the glass carboys necessary for some reason?
@Eakea It isn't absolutely necessary to transfer it to a glass carboy, but you really should siphon it into a new container at some point. There is a lot of sediment that will form. This could give off tastes or ruin the mead.
When it is safe to put in a glass bottle and cap for racking? Mine is like 45 days old and still showing a little gas still...? Don't want a bomb of mead in my house.?? any input?
@Omega72181 Great question. The various types of honey make a big difference in the mead -as far as types of honey goes. But I haven't tried to make mead and judge it specifically by seasonal changes. Good idea though, maybe this spring I will harvest some honey from the hives and give it a try. thanks
One more quick comment on this awesome guide you set up. When I was purchasing at the equipment and materials that I was going to be using, I didn't have the type of yeast your recommend I ordered Lalvin Narbonne Wine Yeast (71B-1122) will the type of yeast do the trick?
Hey I've been thinking about trying to make some mead for a while now so I looked at places that might have carboys but find none so will u know where to get the supplies?
@tenchu91 I get all my stuff from Leeners. The stuff on Amazon is sold by third parties where you can't benefit from free shipping. Leeners is kind of hard to navigate but I've been shopping from the for years with no problem.
great video on how to make mead. i just started a one gallon batch of simple mead using 3 lbs of honey, an orange, and yeast nutrient. i used lalvin D-47 yeast so ill let you know how it comes out
Will- I'm a professional "Mazer"- "mead maker". You did NOT mention, that it takes FIVE YEARS, to make a GOOD Meade! Valerie Johnson, Valkyrie Cellars. Oh, you can make a "honey wine", in 6 months, but the GOOD stuff, takes ageing!! I just gave my parents a case of TWELVE year old sweet mead, for their 50th Wedding Anniversary. (Note- the ONLY wine my Mother likes, is MY sweet Meade!). Anyway- everybody enjoy- I learned PATIENCE, from becoming a vinter!
@95bwhite -That is JUST the kind of reply, I would expect from an unemployed almost high-school grad. "BUSCH" is horsepee. The ONLY "bush" worth having, has hair.
Mead preceded beer, it was the drink of warriors in olde Briton long before Germany ever picked up brewing.
...And "Busch" is the drink of redneck, beer-gut, sapprophyt, drop-out WUSSIES. Sittin' around on your blubber inflated asses in a half shredded sofa, poking at the lint in your navels. Go hide in the thick of your overgrown lawn.
If you want to get fancy throw in about 30 raisins per gallon, half an orange with the peal, lemon peel, and a little clove and cin. Yeast nutrient is also useless. You can substitute simple everyday materials that work just as good. Lemon peel and a teaspoon of black tea work great. If you want to get really fancy, you can save the lees from a previous batch, dry it, and use that as a nutrient. There is no better nutrient than that.
Mead is just about the simplest of all alchoholic beverages to make at home. You practically have to be a moron to mess it up. Despite what anyone tells you about fancy equipment need to order supplies all you really need is spring water, honey, and yeast. Fancy yeast is no better than simple bread yeast. In fact, the bread yeast is MUCH more reliable and produces more alcohol. Fancy airlocks are useless. All you need is 7 or 8 inches of tubing or even just a simple BALLOON.
My mead is fermenting...slow... I filled repitched some liquid yeast today. I had a little taste of my mead and its carbonated! In the primary! I just aerated the crap out of it and as I did it I could hear and see gas floating to top. I also didn't fill my air lock as high as i usually do since the slow fermentation and might not give off enough Co2 to push the air out of the 3 piece air lock. Is this common and should I be worried?
How long has your mead been fermenting? It would be quite ok to fill up your airlock. Better that way. If you just stirrred it up it might take a day or two to recover and get back on track.
A simple way to carbonate mead is to use a longer length of hose as your airlock filled with more water. About three feet or so. Just make a much bigger loop with a lot more water. More hose with more water means it takes a higher atmospheric presure to push the CO2 out. The higher the pressure, the more carbonation. Just make sure the pressure doesn't exceed the strength of the materials.
It's much safer and reliable than trying to bottle mead during secondary fermentation to achieve carbonation. A bottle of mead blowing up in your face and coating everything within 15ft with a mist of sticky liquid isn't fun.
Nice videos, Epic, very informative. I'm making my first, one-gallon batch of mead, and all I'm using is water, 3 lbs of honey, and yeast. I've heard that, instead of artificial nutrients, i can use fruit to help feed the yeast. Would a slice or two of an apple be an OK addition?
Hi there, I was wondering where you get your honey, since I'm having trouble finding 15+ lbs of honey for less than like 90 bucks. Could you please help me up?
Look for local fairs and farmers markets, or "Community Sponsored Agriculture" farms, you'll get a lower price, and often a better product, than you would from a retail company.
It seems your recipe is the most informative. I was wondering what part water would I use if I ten pounds of honey? I'm using clover honey from a local apiary, that should be good right?
hey i was just on your website and followed your instructions to make a cheap and easy gallon of mead, i just did so and its sitting fermenting now! i used wildflower honey, my question is, generally what kind of tasting mead does wildflower honey produce?
It will produce a good mead. Nothing spectacular but good! The honey does make a difference but wildflower honey will be fine! I use it all the time. Some honeys are just so expensive.
I made a gallon about 3 or 4 weeks ago and it's turned out great. All the honey was eaten up before my eyes and the mead has become very tasty. I just recently started a gallon of Orange/clove with cuties (little, sweeter oranges). The fermentation process on that one is going great guns, so thank you for all your mead-making wisdom.
Im about to try making my first batch of mead. I was wondering aout the yeast you used it said in this vid that yu used 2 packest of yeast, but the info on the website i ordered from suggested 1 packet was good for 5 gallons.
hmmm.. if it smells rancid, rotten or bad then throw it out! Have you ever smelled mead before. It should smell yeasty or alcoholy. If you don't trust it then don't drink it! Gotta be careful with mead!
it smells very strongly or alcohol, and i guess yeasty would be a good way to describe the other smell. it may have just been a bit overpowering when i first opened it up.
Hey I would just like to thank you. I just moved my first batch of mead into its secondary fermenting carboy and I must say it smells amazing. I made a orange cinnamon mead and your video's really made everything very clear.
@MrFeitosaJr i go 2 weeks, rack it then, repeat until it stops fermenting. this could take between 4 and 6 weeks. and orange would be good for the must as yeast like slightly acidic environments, i personally add 1/2 lemon to every 2 gallon batch.
Hello, I was hoping you could tell me when the opportune time to add things like cinnamon and orange to mead for extra flavoring? I am trying to make a batch of mead for Christmas as a gift for a few friends and myself so I am trying to get it perfect on my first try : )
Generally I add all the spices at the original mixing. Mead is very flexible though and you can add it a bit later. Too late to make mead for this christmas! It probably will not be ready! sorry
I'm new to this too. I believe, and correct me if I'm mistaken, that it has to do with the yeast and the amount of time given for fermentation. I think that champagne yeast can product up to 20% ethanol compared with maybe 12% from this particular recipe.
I buy from a variety of different sources. Local beekeepers have the best honey. You can buy online from a company called Millers Honey. Three pounds would be about ten dollars. They sell six pounds for twenty dollars.
Would you recommend a reliable site that sells carboys/brewing supplies? Right now I'm using a pastic jug, aquarium airline tubing, and aquarium silicone sealant... improvised something nice...
also im making the mead the cold method as you show do i have to use camden tabs if i add strawberrys? cant i just rinse really weel and soak in crushed campden tabs?
I have with your help (thanx) made my first batch of mead. I was planning on leaving in bucket for three weeks to prevent foaming out . Is that recommended? it has the air lock on it. Also after Im done 2-3 weeks should I add strawberrys?
Um, in Ohio that much honey would probably cost close to 40 bucks. This sounds like an expensive proposition. I am brewing my first beer and buying the handy dandy kit put together by my local brewstore for a 5 gallon batch of American Wheat Ale was only 28.
I started a batcjh like the simple one on storm the castle with oranges and raisins! It a month old and has a pretty good taste already. but is still fermenting so the waitng game is going. but I have a question if I use yeast nutrient and camden talets do i realy need the orange and raisins?? I lost alot of mead when I racked it off the raisins n oranges last week!!LOL! I intend to rack again in a couple weeks and will certainly lose a little. do you have any tricks?? thanks! great videos!!
Hi! I am going to make two batches, one with just honey, and one with raspberries.
And I am wondering if there is any way to stop the yeast from producing more alcohol when it has come to a desired level, like if I want to have a low percent alcohol mead?
Hi, They have chemicals that you can use to halt the process at the point you want it. When the alcohol is at the level you want you add the chemical and it halts the process. Potassium Sorbate is what you use. It is readily available at places like EC Kraus or Leeners online shops.
I just wanted to say thank you for creating these videos and posting them along with the great website. I have been thinking about making mead for some time now and decided to give it a try.
Nope, Sounds like something went bad. I recommend throwing it out and trying a new batch. Smell it, it probably smells awful and rancid. Do not drink it! Sorry, something must have contaminated it.
well i attempted my first apple cider today. I used about 50 apples(machine juiced), 2 gal of water, and 5 cups of sugar- should turn out ok, i guess i stop it when the bubles stop coming up from the water. The apples were organic, so its a natural yeast. BTW- trader joes gives away all its damaged apples or apples past expiration date each week, cut off the little marks and juice em!
For an airlock would a big ballon be Ok? Or even a cork? Im not sure where to get an airlock and i dont got much cash so i would like to know if theirs an alternitive then an airlocks Please comment back thanks :)
Hi, A big balloon would be ok.. put a couple of pinholes in it to let the gas slowly escape. A cork would be no good. The pressure would explode it off the bottle like a bullet!
if u drill a hole in a cork and run some tubing through it and jam it in the bottle, then take the other end of the tubing and stick it in a container of water, it allows the gasses to escape from the water, but no bacteria enters back in the botle
Bleh airlock is too expensive, use a simple balloon with needle holes in it. A balloon would just release excess air and stay sealed at the same time.
A small to medium sized prescription medicine bottle, a small plastic tube such as the shaft of a Bic ballpoint pen, a bullet casing or similar object, water and some ingenuity and VOILA!!! and airlock fit for brewing Mead, Beer or anything else u may need an airlock for.
The ancient vikings had a mead ritual....they would put their wives in a stock, and nail their braids out to the sides. They would drink mead, and throw their axes at them. If they cut off the braids, that meant their wife was faithful. If they missed, That meant she was not! Mead is delicious and if you are going to drink, it is probably one of the most healthy forms of alcohol. Just keep the axes in the toolshed, o.k.? Thanks for posting!
Im underage ): i wish i could find instructions to make like homemade grapejuice or somethin thats alchohol free.. cause that would be great for when me and my friends larp.
selfshadowxx 2 weeks ago in playlist Mead Making
@selfshadowxx just buy the yeast offline and make your own. i make beer with my father.
bods93 1 week ago in playlist Mead Making
@epicfantasy
I will give it a shot thanks will, i just purchased the compleat meadmaker from amazon
405OklahomaBrewing 1 month ago
@epicfantasy
Hey will got a question, what is the lifespan of yeast? I have a pack of lavlin yeast in the fridge for a year, do you think it will be ok?
405OklahomaBrewing 1 month ago
@405OklahomaBrewing difficult to say, it should have an expiration date on it? no? but, being in the fridge helps. I say go for it and see, within a day you will know if it is ok.
epicfantasy 1 month ago
Why would anyone thumbs down this guy? He's just teaching you how to make a wonderful Honey Wine. BTW, between the D-47, EC-1118, and the K1-V1116 yeasts which one do you most recommend for best flavor?
sypoth 1 month ago
@sypoth flavor is a matter of taste I would guess. But I lean toward the D-47 for taste. But, the K1 is great for beginners because it is active and aggressive.
epicfantasy 1 month ago
@epicfantasy Thanks for the info, also if I wish to make a smaller batch, say only one gallon do I simply reduce all the quantities by five or is there a more specific reduction?
sypoth 1 month ago
@sypoth yes , reduce by five but use one packet of yeast. dont' reduce yeast by five.
epicfantasy 1 month ago
Just ordered the kits and going to make mead for my first batch. If you distill mead would you end up with some kine of honey brandy
irishlore 1 month ago
@irishlore Good luck! Dunno about the distilling. Tends to be dangerous.
epicfantasy 1 month ago
Could I make a really small batch of mead in a 70cl wine bottle?
PartyWithTheBigBoyz 2 months ago
do i need yeast energizer and yeast nutrient?
pergatory090 2 months ago
@pergatory090 Its not mandatory but it does help. You could use an orange and raisins.
epicfantasy 2 months ago
@epicfantasy Have you ever heard of honey jack?
TenderTrap86 2 months ago
@TenderTrap86 no
epicfantasy 2 months ago
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marsneedstowels 2 months ago
I used to make my own mead, then I took an arrow in the knee.
baggedyman 3 months ago 7
@baggedyman lol, skyrim quote.
epicfantasy 2 months ago
@epicfantasy Make Nord Mead with Juniper berries!!!!
TribalSasquatch 2 months ago
what if i have a 6 gallon carboy? would there be any problem with making 5 gallons of mead in a 6 gallon carboy, or is there any way i can use this tek to make 6 gallons? just add another gallon of water or what? hope someone can help!
CrushNazT 4 months ago
@CrushNazT You can just multiply all the ingredients and make six gallons. Thats the best course of action. Don't add any more yeast though. not necessary.
epicfantasy 4 months ago
@CrushNazT Yes you can make 5 gal of mead in a 6 gal carboy. It will take a little longer to start the bubbles in the bubble counter. Or make six gallons.
megaflunky 2 months ago
Thanks for making a great series of videos. I just finished (just moments ago) making my first batch of mead. I used 12 lbs. of wildflower honey, 4 gallons of spring water, a 6 Gallon Glass Carboy and a 6 gallon Plastic bucket to mix in, ohh and I used DL47 yeast, and Fermaid Protect to start off..
I followed your instructions to the letter, minus the sanitizing portion, instead I used unscented bleach and let it sit for about 30 minutes prior to rinsing and mixing.
I cant wait! Thanks!
RudeBoy6699 5 months ago
quick question, i made some yesterday, its bubblin real nice. But theres a light brownish film collecting on the top of the carboy, is that normal?
Battlescar2 6 months ago
@Battlescar2 Yes, that is just yeast floating around. It will disappear
epicfantasy 6 months ago
Is it absolutely necessary to use a glass carboy? I have a 5 gallon bucket and a 7 gallon fermentation bucket (both rather opaque) for brewing beer. Shouldn't these work fine for brewing mead also? Thanks in advance!
ImbiberOfBrew 6 months ago
@ImbiberOfBrew a plastic container can be used. Glass is not mandatory.
epicfantasy 6 months ago
@epicfantasy okay so i used one gallon of water and one jar of honey like you have on this video. and one package of extra active yeast. i followed all the steps. how long will it be til its done?
MrGamerman001 3 months ago
whats the approximate alcohol volume? and can it be increased?
Battlescar2 6 months ago
@Battlescar2 10-14% and yup. with some tinkering it can be increased,
epicfantasy 6 months ago
@epicfantasy cool thank u
Battlescar2 6 months ago
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TheHydroChannel 8 months ago
good video. I have always wanted to brew my own mead.
Uriel1816 9 months ago
Made round 20L from home made honey!:D And have an old Croatian recipe, over 200yrs old. Today I just opened a bottle, one and a half years old. Needles to say it was perfect!! Though, i do think 1L (if it is old and well brewed) is enough to make you drunk! CHEERS!:D
around51 1 year ago
Check out my bottles of fermenting mead on facebook, my name is Jeremie. Take a look at the yellow one first then look and the the bottle with the cherries floating on top. There is a big difference in color from one day to the next.
ReverantLoki 1 year ago
I have now made my very first batch of Burnt Mead. Loved the smell of the honey cooking in the kitchen. Have you ever made Burnt Mead?
ReverantLoki 1 year ago
Now all I need is some wenches.
Brocakedonut 1 year ago 88
@Brocakedonut lol!
epicfantasy 1 year ago 3
@Brocakedonut Don't we all.
unchellmatt 1 year ago
@Brocakedonut yes!
ladangelo202 10 months ago
Just to save me a lot of headache later, I dumped that batch out and tarted a new one. Just didn't trust the fact that I let it sit that way before contacting you. I am making your fool-proof Mead. Should turn out better anyway.
ReverantLoki 1 year ago
I just started making my very first batch of Mead. My question is this. Would I have done something wrong if the yeast by product climbed up gas escape tube? After 24 hours though it seems to be working just fine.
ReverantLoki 1 year ago
@ReverantLoki It should be ok, but I would siphon out an inch or two of the liquid to give everything room, prevent any more over bubbling. You should resanitize that airlock too.
epicfantasy 1 year ago
I have a fermenting vessel from a DIY beer kit. Is it possible to use this for mixing/fermenting stages or is the transfer to the glass carboys necessary for some reason?
Eakea 1 year ago
@Eakea It isn't absolutely necessary to transfer it to a glass carboy, but you really should siphon it into a new container at some point. There is a lot of sediment that will form. This could give off tastes or ruin the mead.
epicfantasy 1 year ago
When it is safe to put in a glass bottle and cap for racking? Mine is like 45 days old and still showing a little gas still...? Don't want a bomb of mead in my house.?? any input?
hotone23 1 year ago
@hotone23 I would siphon it into a new jug an dleave all the sediment behind. then it would be good to wait at least another 30 days.
epicfantasy 1 year ago
have you found a differance with spring, summer and fall honey or do you use general labeled honey
Omega72181 1 year ago
@Omega72181 Great question. The various types of honey make a big difference in the mead -as far as types of honey goes. But I haven't tried to make mead and judge it specifically by seasonal changes. Good idea though, maybe this spring I will harvest some honey from the hives and give it a try. thanks
epicfantasy 1 year ago
@Omega72181 I just harvested some autumn honey. Going to be making some mead with it. defintely darker than spring honey.
epicfantasy 1 year ago
can you add extra ingredients to the fermentation bucket? and is it okay to ferment the mead in the bucket with a spigot?
arolfsen 1 year ago
@arolfsen Yes,absolutely.
epicfantasy 1 year ago
One more quick comment on this awesome guide you set up. When I was purchasing at the equipment and materials that I was going to be using, I didn't have the type of yeast your recommend I ordered Lalvin Narbonne Wine Yeast (71B-1122) will the type of yeast do the trick?
comunisttanpon 1 year ago
@comunisttanpon Yes, this will make a good mead!
epicfantasy 1 year ago
Sooooo does it actually taste good?
public666enemy 1 year ago
whats the volume of honey?
comunisttanpon 1 year ago
@comunisttanpon Five quarts. I typically use 1 quart of honey per gallon of water. Makes about a medium sweet mead.
epicfantasy 1 year ago
thanks for the great tutorial! :D
but I wondered is simple supermarket honey also usable or not? Cause its very hard to get some good honey straight from the "bees" around here :(
peertje19 1 year ago
Comment removed
peertje19 1 year ago
edit: I mean the honey in jars cause in Holland they do not sell honey in those bottles you always show :)
peertje19 1 year ago
@peertje19 supermarket honey will be ok for mead making. Not as good but will be fine.
epicfantasy 1 year ago
Seriously, when I get legal, I so want to do this. I'm geeking out bad, man.
cptnwcky 1 year ago
nice mead moonshine
3X0N 1 year ago
Wow I looked at the equipment stuff and it's all real expensive lol
tenchu91 1 year ago
Hey I've been thinking about trying to make some mead for a while now so I looked at places that might have carboys but find none so will u know where to get the supplies?
tenchu91 1 year ago
@tenchu91 You should look for wine making supply shops. Otherwise, plenty of places online like amazon.
epicfantasy 1 year ago
@tenchu91 I get all my stuff from Leeners. The stuff on Amazon is sold by third parties where you can't benefit from free shipping. Leeners is kind of hard to navigate but I've been shopping from the for years with no problem.
porkfat 1 year ago
@tenchu91 Wine and beer brewing supply stores or websites.
pccbassbone 1 year ago
great video on how to make mead. i just started a one gallon batch of simple mead using 3 lbs of honey, an orange, and yeast nutrient. i used lalvin D-47 yeast so ill let you know how it comes out
mmansur09 1 year ago
Will- I'm a professional "Mazer"- "mead maker". You did NOT mention, that it takes FIVE YEARS, to make a GOOD Meade! Valerie Johnson, Valkyrie Cellars. Oh, you can make a "honey wine", in 6 months, but the GOOD stuff, takes ageing!! I just gave my parents a case of TWELVE year old sweet mead, for their 50th Wedding Anniversary. (Note- the ONLY wine my Mother likes, is MY sweet Meade!). Anyway- everybody enjoy- I learned PATIENCE, from becoming a vinter!
Patriotgal1 1 year ago
@Patriotgal1 mead is gay just buy a 30 pk of busch
95bwhite 1 year ago
@95bwhite -That is JUST the kind of reply, I would expect from an unemployed almost high-school grad. "BUSCH" is horsepee. The ONLY "bush" worth having, has hair.
Patriotgal1 1 year ago
@95bwhite
Mead preceded beer, it was the drink of warriors in olde Briton long before Germany ever picked up brewing.
...And "Busch" is the drink of redneck, beer-gut, sapprophyt, drop-out WUSSIES. Sittin' around on your blubber inflated asses in a half shredded sofa, poking at the lint in your navels. Go hide in the thick of your overgrown lawn.
JemmetGK 1 year ago
@95bwhite
so if mead is gay then why are you watching this guy make it? Don't you have truck to fix or a cross to burn or something?
Cgriff512 1 year ago
If you want to get fancy throw in about 30 raisins per gallon, half an orange with the peal, lemon peel, and a little clove and cin. Yeast nutrient is also useless. You can substitute simple everyday materials that work just as good. Lemon peel and a teaspoon of black tea work great. If you want to get really fancy, you can save the lees from a previous batch, dry it, and use that as a nutrient. There is no better nutrient than that.
gurumagoo 1 year ago
Mead is just about the simplest of all alchoholic beverages to make at home. You practically have to be a moron to mess it up. Despite what anyone tells you about fancy equipment need to order supplies all you really need is spring water, honey, and yeast. Fancy yeast is no better than simple bread yeast. In fact, the bread yeast is MUCH more reliable and produces more alcohol. Fancy airlocks are useless. All you need is 7 or 8 inches of tubing or even just a simple BALLOON.
gurumagoo 1 year ago
My mead is fermenting...slow... I filled repitched some liquid yeast today. I had a little taste of my mead and its carbonated! In the primary! I just aerated the crap out of it and as I did it I could hear and see gas floating to top. I also didn't fill my air lock as high as i usually do since the slow fermentation and might not give off enough Co2 to push the air out of the 3 piece air lock. Is this common and should I be worried?
meadmiester 1 year ago
How long has your mead been fermenting? It would be quite ok to fill up your airlock. Better that way. If you just stirrred it up it might take a day or two to recover and get back on track.
epicfantasy 1 year ago
A simple way to carbonate mead is to use a longer length of hose as your airlock filled with more water. About three feet or so. Just make a much bigger loop with a lot more water. More hose with more water means it takes a higher atmospheric presure to push the CO2 out. The higher the pressure, the more carbonation. Just make sure the pressure doesn't exceed the strength of the materials.
gurumagoo 1 year ago
wow, what a great idea. Thanks! Going to have to give this a try.
epicfantasy 1 year ago
@epicfantasy
It's much safer and reliable than trying to bottle mead during secondary fermentation to achieve carbonation. A bottle of mead blowing up in your face and coating everything within 15ft with a mist of sticky liquid isn't fun.
gurumagoo 1 year ago
i like mead but over here honey goes for 2 euro for 500gram at least and thats cheap crappy honey good honey is bout 8 euro for a kilo
maarhoefe 2 years ago
Nice videos, Epic, very informative. I'm making my first, one-gallon batch of mead, and all I'm using is water, 3 lbs of honey, and yeast. I've heard that, instead of artificial nutrients, i can use fruit to help feed the yeast. Would a slice or two of an apple be an OK addition?
fiveironlp1 2 years ago
I would slice up a whole apple and put it in there. Or a whole orange, or a handful of raisins.
epicfantasy 2 years ago
Great, thanks!
fiveironlp1 2 years ago
@epicfantasy would the raisins or fruit replace the nutrient and/or energizer in other words?
ACTeslaMachineDC 1 year ago
@ACTeslaMachineDC Yes, definitely. If you add raisins/fruit. It works well and the nutrient and energizer are not necessary.
epicfantasy 1 year ago
@epicfantasy i wasnt aware that hte mead has to ferment for so long...unlike beer or wine ..
ACTeslaMachineDC 1 year ago
Mead takes a long time. It's like somebody forgot to tell the yeast that we live in the digital age where everything is instantaneous!
epicfantasy 1 year ago
do liquor stores sale mead? ,,, like the video
StopWatchVideos 2 years ago
Mead is a rather unknown beverage. Most liquor stores do not sell it. You should call first, or they will order it for you.
epicfantasy 2 years ago
Hi there, I was wondering where you get your honey, since I'm having trouble finding 15+ lbs of honey for less than like 90 bucks. Could you please help me up?
HellPunisher00 2 years ago
Honey is expensive!
epicfantasy 2 years ago
Look for local fairs and farmers markets, or "Community Sponsored Agriculture" farms, you'll get a lower price, and often a better product, than you would from a retail company.
OPE08 1 year ago
Cool video, thanks for posting.
jaingxu 2 years ago
Thanks! Have fun with your mead making!
epicfantasy 2 years ago
awesome!
LyricalPurpose 2 years ago
It seems your recipe is the most informative. I was wondering what part water would I use if I ten pounds of honey? I'm using clover honey from a local apiary, that should be good right?
roadkill8mymom 2 years ago
A good rule of thumb to make a medium mead is 3lbs of honey per gallon of water.
epicfantasy 2 years ago
hey i was just on your website and followed your instructions to make a cheap and easy gallon of mead, i just did so and its sitting fermenting now! i used wildflower honey, my question is, generally what kind of tasting mead does wildflower honey produce?
xTrueNightmaresx 2 years ago
It will produce a good mead. Nothing spectacular but good! The honey does make a difference but wildflower honey will be fine! I use it all the time. Some honeys are just so expensive.
epicfantasy 2 years ago
I made a gallon about 3 or 4 weeks ago and it's turned out great. All the honey was eaten up before my eyes and the mead has become very tasty. I just recently started a gallon of Orange/clove with cuties (little, sweeter oranges). The fermentation process on that one is going great guns, so thank you for all your mead-making wisdom.
HammerOvThor 2 years ago
You are very welcome. Enjoy your mead. And cool user name!
epicfantasy 2 years ago
Im about to try making my first batch of mead. I was wondering aout the yeast you used it said in this vid that yu used 2 packest of yeast, but the info on the website i ordered from suggested 1 packet was good for 5 gallons.
havashazi666 2 years ago
I use two packets for five gallon batches. If you use 1 packet you will be ok. It just tends to get started a little slower.
epicfantasy 2 years ago
i just racked my first batch after 2 weeks, but it smells wierd. how should it smell? i have 3 batches that all smell somewhat sour.
6sixpounder6 2 years ago
hmmm.. if it smells rancid, rotten or bad then throw it out! Have you ever smelled mead before. It should smell yeasty or alcoholy. If you don't trust it then don't drink it! Gotta be careful with mead!
epicfantasy 2 years ago
it smells very strongly or alcohol, and i guess yeasty would be a good way to describe the other smell. it may have just been a bit overpowering when i first opened it up.
6sixpounder6 2 years ago
Hey I would just like to thank you. I just moved my first batch of mead into its secondary fermenting carboy and I must say it smells amazing. I made a orange cinnamon mead and your video's really made everything very clear.
jkrobertson88 2 years ago
Grats! and thanks :)
epicfantasy 2 years ago
Can you use traditional dry bread yeast?
HammerOvThor 2 years ago
Yes, absolutely.
epicfantasy 2 years ago
You are very welcome, enjoy.
epicfantasy 2 years ago
You are very welcome!
epicfantasy 2 years ago
have always wanted to try mead out :P
Templarofsteel18 2 years ago
how many days it must leave leaveing? what it happens if I to add orange in must?
MrFeitosaJr 2 years ago
@MrFeitosaJr i go 2 weeks, rack it then, repeat until it stops fermenting. this could take between 4 and 6 weeks. and orange would be good for the must as yeast like slightly acidic environments, i personally add 1/2 lemon to every 2 gallon batch.
6sixpounder6 2 years ago
Hello, I was hoping you could tell me when the opportune time to add things like cinnamon and orange to mead for extra flavoring? I am trying to make a batch of mead for Christmas as a gift for a few friends and myself so I am trying to get it perfect on my first try : )
jkrobertson88 2 years ago
Generally I add all the spices at the original mixing. Mead is very flexible though and you can add it a bit later. Too late to make mead for this christmas! It probably will not be ready! sorry
epicfantasy 2 years ago
hey im going to try my first mead this weeken and i was wondering how can i make the alcohol content stronger
jcondruid07 2 years ago 11
I'm new to this too. I believe, and correct me if I'm mistaken, that it has to do with the yeast and the amount of time given for fermentation. I think that champagne yeast can product up to 20% ethanol compared with maybe 12% from this particular recipe.
gojira1968 2 years ago
@jcondruid07 i would add more sugar to increase the specific gravity, results in more ethanol being made
biggieb117 8 months ago
can you use ec-1118 to?
RedCrowMeadery 2 years ago
Yes, absolutely. It will come out great.
epicfantasy 2 years ago
ok cool thanks
RedCrowMeadery 2 years ago
Can I ask where you got your honey and how much it all cost you (like per bottle or batch)
HellPunisher00 2 years ago
I buy from a variety of different sources. Local beekeepers have the best honey. You can buy online from a company called Millers Honey. Three pounds would be about ten dollars. They sell six pounds for twenty dollars.
willssonglist 2 years ago
Would you recommend a reliable site that sells carboys/brewing supplies? Right now I'm using a pastic jug, aquarium airline tubing, and aquarium silicone sealant... improvised something nice...
Thanks.
XsmashX1 2 years ago
ECKraus or Leeners are both places I have bought from. Good companies.
willssonglist 2 years ago
Yeah, thanks. I've already ordered from ECKraus. I posted this comment a while ago. :]
XsmashX1 2 years ago
what can you use to clear the haze from the mead any idea some thing home made or cheap
longshotz6 2 years ago
The haze will clear in time. You can speed up this process by siphoning the liquid into another jug leaving all the sediment behind.
epicfantasy 2 years ago
ok
thank you for the comment
longshotz6 2 years ago
what did you say that glass container was? couldn't really hear you nice video
KretinBassist 2 years ago
Sorry about the audio quality. This is an early video. The glass container is called a carboy.
epicfantasy 2 years ago
also im making the mead the cold method as you show do i have to use camden tabs if i add strawberrys? cant i just rinse really weel and soak in crushed campden tabs?
moray111 2 years ago
I have with your help (thanx) made my first batch of mead. I was planning on leaving in bucket for three weeks to prevent foaming out . Is that recommended? it has the air lock on it. Also after Im done 2-3 weeks should I add strawberrys?
moray111 2 years ago
It would be good to leave it in the bucket for 2-3 weeks. Yes, you could add the strawberries at that point. Just wash them real well.
epicfantasy 2 years ago
Um, in Ohio that much honey would probably cost close to 40 bucks. This sounds like an expensive proposition. I am brewing my first beer and buying the handy dandy kit put together by my local brewstore for a 5 gallon batch of American Wheat Ale was only 28.
disgruntldtoad 2 years ago
You could try going with a 1 gallon batch.
epicfantasy 2 years ago
i paid 80 to my local beekeeper .
moray111 2 years ago
This looks like fun, I think I will have to try to make some for myself!
danloaf 2 years ago
I started a batcjh like the simple one on storm the castle with oranges and raisins! It a month old and has a pretty good taste already. but is still fermenting so the waitng game is going. but I have a question if I use yeast nutrient and camden talets do i realy need the orange and raisins?? I lost alot of mead when I racked it off the raisins n oranges last week!!LOL! I intend to rack again in a couple weeks and will certainly lose a little. do you have any tricks?? thanks! great videos!!
bigordead 2 years ago
can some one describe the taste for me? is it bitter like beer?
BOOSHBOYDOM 2 years ago
It tastes somewhat similar to white wine, but with no grape flavor and more sweetness. I wouldn't say it tastes much like beer though.
delphinkid 2 years ago
You would need hops to make it taste like beer.
itachi1303 2 years ago
Can you destill it?
crazycuntryboy2 2 years ago
No, I would not distill it. Distilling is a whole different process and a bit dangerous. This is simply a fermented beverage. Easy to do and safer.
epicfantasy 2 years ago
Hi! I am going to make two batches, one with just honey, and one with raspberries.
And I am wondering if there is any way to stop the yeast from producing more alcohol when it has come to a desired level, like if I want to have a low percent alcohol mead?
TheVirusOddball 2 years ago
Hi, They have chemicals that you can use to halt the process at the point you want it. When the alcohol is at the level you want you add the chemical and it halts the process. Potassium Sorbate is what you use. It is readily available at places like EC Kraus or Leeners online shops.
epicfantasy 2 years ago
Thanks mate!
TheVirusOddball 2 years ago
does this have alchohol in it?
washcloth759 3 years ago
If you leave it for long time
jodex96 3 years ago
YEAH!!!! The fermination of honey!!
Wizzad75 3 years ago
I just wanted to say thank you for creating these videos and posting them along with the great website. I have been thinking about making mead for some time now and decided to give it a try.
Keep up the good work!
MembrainJ 3 years ago 2
is it notmal, that mead is black and that there is mildew on it?
i felt bad after i tried it...
xTime2Killx 3 years ago
Nope, Sounds like something went bad. I recommend throwing it out and trying a new batch. Smell it, it probably smells awful and rancid. Do not drink it! Sorry, something must have contaminated it.
epicfantasy 3 years ago
well i attempted my first apple cider today. I used about 50 apples(machine juiced), 2 gal of water, and 5 cups of sugar- should turn out ok, i guess i stop it when the bubles stop coming up from the water. The apples were organic, so its a natural yeast. BTW- trader joes gives away all its damaged apples or apples past expiration date each week, cut off the little marks and juice em!
martinthegenius 3 years ago
NIce, Sounds like it is going to be delicious! You are right about Trader Joes, That place is just fantastic.
epicfantasy 3 years ago
do you know how to make soft mead? (no alcohol)
Bloodrippedreaper 3 years ago
apple juice, honey and water
(i got that off wills site)
drunkfux1 3 years ago
I should probably do a video on Martins Idea so people can see it in action.
epicfantasy 3 years ago
For an airlock would a big ballon be Ok? Or even a cork? Im not sure where to get an airlock and i dont got much cash so i would like to know if theirs an alternitive then an airlocks Please comment back thanks :)
id3m0l1shu 3 years ago
Hi, A big balloon would be ok.. put a couple of pinholes in it to let the gas slowly escape. A cork would be no good. The pressure would explode it off the bottle like a bullet!
willssonglist 3 years ago
if u drill a hole in a cork and run some tubing through it and jam it in the bottle, then take the other end of the tubing and stick it in a container of water, it allows the gasses to escape from the water, but no bacteria enters back in the botle
martinthegenius 3 years ago
Thats a great idea, I have seen pictures of that. It really works well. What you are doing is making your own airlock. Thanks for the tip martin!
epicfantasy 3 years ago
Bleh airlock is too expensive, use a simple balloon with needle holes in it. A balloon would just release excess air and stay sealed at the same time.
zimtower 3 years ago
A small to medium sized prescription medicine bottle, a small plastic tube such as the shaft of a Bic ballpoint pen, a bullet casing or similar object, water and some ingenuity and VOILA!!! and airlock fit for brewing Mead, Beer or anything else u may need an airlock for.
TheDemonJester 3 years ago
The ancient vikings had a mead ritual....they would put their wives in a stock, and nail their braids out to the sides. They would drink mead, and throw their axes at them. If they cut off the braids, that meant their wife was faithful. If they missed, That meant she was not! Mead is delicious and if you are going to drink, it is probably one of the most healthy forms of alcohol. Just keep the axes in the toolshed, o.k.? Thanks for posting!
econoroller 3 years ago
lol!
epicfantasy 3 years ago
1 gallon = 3.78 Liters
each bottle of honey = .946 liter
nutrient and energizer is about 25 grams of each.
epicfantasy 3 years ago
how much water is in those 4 bottles? in liter pls^^
how much of that yeast nutrian and energizer do you take?...
thanks so far
P.S. do you know how many liters are one gallon?^^ i am from germany and i dont know gallon
DarkAdersheimer 3 years ago