Is it really August already? Damn, where the hell did the summer go? So, it seems the interest is out there for a bit of exploration into the wider world of fermentables. Specifically, an attempt at a mead and/or a cider. As there is a connection for a bunch of pears, it seems that there will be no escaping an attempt at a pear cider. I say, "Bring it on!" As for mead, I have been wanting to give this a try for a while. If anyone out there wants to be a sugar momma (or poppa, i suppose) and get a bunch of honey (we are talking anywhere from 7-15 lbs) I will certainly give it a go, and I know others would love to get involved. Now, I have never done it before, but there is of course only one way to remedy that - make some damn mead!
Posted by hobo_pappe at August 7, 2003 11:28 AMI've read about mead making a few times, and it always seemed like it needed to age for several years before it was any good. Are you prepared to do that?
I would also suggest that many varieties of mead are available at Belmont Station, and you might want to try a few to see what you're getting yourself in to.
Posted by: Smoove D at August 7, 2003 12:40 PMI have had mead before, and am prepared to give it a lengthy age - though probably not a couple years. And the length of the age depends a lot on the strength of the mead. A light mead with say 7 lbs of honey won't need to age more than a few months - I think.
Posted by: hobo_pappe at August 7, 2003 12:46 PMI've read otherwise about the length of time necessary to age mead. I think it's possible to make tasty stuff in less than a year.
Here are a few links I dug up:
http://www.gotmead.com/
http://www.meadmadecomplicated.org/
http://home1.gte.net/richwebb/meadgide.htm
http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/meadmaking.htm
https://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2003/4/1/124132/7145
As for the cider...yes!!! If you need any help, I'm soooo down to chip in cash/labor on this project. I'd really like to get some pears and apples from the hood area and make some world-class beverages. Yum.
Posted by: barry at August 7, 2003 01:44 PMi love mead. i had a homebrewed cinnamon or hot pepper (not sure which) mead at Andre's last year. it was soooo good. i don't think the brewer had aged it that long. i bet Andre would have some good tips for ya.
Posted by: Melissa at August 7, 2003 01:50 PMIt was cinnamon AND hot pepper mead. The closest thing to an aphrodisiac I have ever had. Yummy. And strong too.
Posted by: hobo_pappe at August 7, 2003 03:16 PMcomplete aphrodesiac... i was about to hump melissa.
Posted by: toni at August 8, 2003 08:43 PM