What is Mead?

Mead is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages known to man. Most likely because of the simplicity of production and the availability of ingredients. There was a time when all wine was made of honey and the grape version was unknown. Mead is a wine made from honey. Simple as that.

Instead of using grapes a mead maker uses Honey! Can you see how this would be something special? It is a wine and it is made from one of the tastiest creations in nature. (This concept of making wine from honey isn't unusual and is rising in popularity). Wine doesn't have to be made from grapes. It can be made from any number of sweet fruits.

And you can easily make some Mead yourself , it's fun!

Mead making is something that has been going on for over a thousand years and it is quite easy to make. There is very little to do to start the process. For the most part you just have to add yeast to a mix of honey and water and let it ferment. Many fruits, spices, and other adjuncts have become popular additives which have to many fruity mead recipes.  The yeast does all the work for you by transforming the honey into wine.

Types of Mead:

• Dry mead is made of honey and water only. Stronger than grape wine it can reach 18% alcohol by volume.
• Sweet mead is slightly weaker in alcohol content than dry mead and has stronger honey flavor and character.
• Cyser is a combination of honey and apple cider. This is the strong drink of Biblical times. Both the honey and the cider will ferment to a clean dry wine which makes a great sparkling wine when primed with sugar or honey when bottled.
• Pyment blends honey, grape juice and water. It is a great light wine for summer. You will be amazed at how much grape character comes through and the honey flavored finish is excellent.
• Melomel is made from honey, water and any fruit other than grapes or apples. We use seedless fruit puree in our Melomel for perfect results.
• Metheglin starts with traditional mead but has herbs and spices added. A simple kitchen spice rack will provide what you need or for an exotic wine.
• Hippocras is a combination of Pyment and spices. You must choose your spice wisely so as not to impair the grape flavor.

• Braggot marks the invention of Ale. It is brewed from honey, malted barley and sometimes hops. A ratio of one part honey to one part dry malt extract is a good place to start. Use low acid hops.
   

Meads Supplies:

Item # Description     WLP715 DRY MEAD / CHAMPAGNE Classic yeast, used to produce champagne, cider, dry meads, dry wines, or to fully attenuate barley wines/strong ales. Can tolerate alcohol concentrations up to 17%. Neutral. Attenuation: 75; Flocculation: Low; Optimum Ferm Temp: 70-75 $10.00   WLP720 SWEET MEAD/WINE A wine yeast strain that is less attenuative than WLP715, leaving some residual sweetness. Slightly fruity and will tolerate alcohol concentrations up to 15%. A good choice for sweet mead and cider, as well as Blush wines, Gewürztraminer, Sauternes, Riesling. Attenuation: 75; Flocculation: Low; Optimum Ferm Temp: 70-75 $10.00   WLP775 ENGLISH CIDER Classic cider yeast. Ferments dry, but retains flavor from apples. Sulfur is produced during fermentation, but will disappear in first two weeks of aging. Can also be used for wine and high gravity beers. Attenuation: 80; Flocculation: Medium; Optimum Ferm Temp: 68-75 $10.00   6365A YEAST ENERGIZER (1 oz) Add ½ teaspoon per gallon of wine must to stimulate fermentation. Contains Diammonium phosphate, yeast hulls, magnesium sulphate, and Vitamin B Complex. $2.00   6365B YEAST ENERGIZER (1 lb) $14.00   6368A YEAST NUTRIENT (2 oz) Use 1 teaspoon per gallon. $12.00   6368B YEAST NUTRIENT (8 oz) $3.00   6368C YEAST NUTRIENT (1 lb) $6.00   5188 FLINT 1/2 GALLON GLASS JUG $5.00   5190 AMBER 1/2 GALLON GLASS JUG $6.00 5190 CLEAR GLASS JUG 1 gallon. (Comes with #4330 38mm METAL SCREW CAPS For 1 gallon jugs.) $6.00   46000 ECONO-LOCK Plastic 3-piece. $1.00 4602 TWIN BUBBLE LOCK ("S" shaped, caps and bodies unassembled) $1.00   Item # Description U/M Price   5148 LARGE UNIVERSAL CARBOY BUNG - SOLID Fits 54L Demi-John. Each $3.00 5149 LARGE UNIVERSAL CARBOY BUNG - DRILLED Fits 54L Demi-John. Each $3.00 5150 UNIVERSAL CARBOY BUNG - SOLID Fits 3, 5, 6 and 6.5 gallon carboys. Each $1.00 5151 UNIVERSAL CARBOY BUNG - DRILLED Fits 3, 5, 6 and 6.5 gallon carboys. Each $1.00 5152 UNIVERSAL MEDIUM BUNG - SOLID Fits Better Bottle. Each $2.00 5153 UNIVERSAL MEDIUM BUNG - DRILLED Fits Better Bottle. Each $2.00   Item # Description Price   7313 THE COMPLETE MEADMAKER (Schramm) Introduction to the wonders of mead with easy-to-follow procedures and simple recipes for making mead at home.  212 pages. $26.00 $26.00 7342 MAKING WILD WINES & MEADS (Vargas & Gullings) You'll find easy step-by-step instructions in this comprehensive, how-to guide for making extraordinary homemade wines.  169 pages. $20.00   $20.00