106 replies to this topic

[realbeerguy]

A little late to the party. How about just a chocolate mead? Ala Liquid Sex.

[neddles]

I kind of like this idea ... Initial searches didn't produce a recipe for heart of darkness

 

Yeah, I found the recipe and looking again I'm not sure how legit it is. However, Heart of Darkness is unspecified quantities of red raspberry, black currant and tart cherries. Sounds pretty tasty. I never tasted the original but it appears to have been pretty damn good. https://www.ratebeer...arkness/106749/

 

Would love to try something like this.

[neddles]

How about just a chocolate mead?

 

There is this...

https://www.gotmead....id=229&Itemid=6

[eldernerd]

I Kinda like the idea of a fruit that is in season or close to season for everyone. Blueberries, Raspberries, Cherries, even strawberries. Chocolate seems like it would really compliacate this brew. A nice proven and simple recipe. Sometimes Simple is better.

[MtnBrewer]

There is this...https://www.gotmead....id=229&Itemid=6

I'd be ok with this.

[pods8]

Home brewers tend to side towards cheap...what does that raise cost per bottle to? If it's decent product I don't mind paying more for the right ingredients...still cheaper and typically better then store bought.

 

Off hand:

15lb of honey = ~$36 out here I'm hearing, I don't have my cheap honey packer near anymore.

22lb of cherries from the store is $66.

$4 for yeast

Chocolate and cinnamon is a few bucks.

I've got the rest

 

So lets say $110 for 6gal?  Works out to $3.7/wine bottle.  Not bad in reality but yes we tend to be cheap.

 

I've been spoiled by the cheap packed clover ($70 for 60lb) that I spiced up (favorite is cinnamon/allspice/ginger/clove/nutmeg, winter cider type), it suits my tastes well (others may agree/disagree but more for me if the latter) which was like $1/wine bottle cost to make. 

[EWW]

Does a 3 seasonal fruit/ berry Mel sound good to everyone? A decision needs to be made...Gallon honey and 4-5 lbs of a seasonal 3 fruit/berry combo added to secondary for a 5 gallon batch... Fermented with 71b ... Sound good?

[MtnBrewer]

That sounds fantastic but I'm pretty committed to using up some of the fruit I already have. But that's no problem. If you guys want to do something like that I'll just do my own thing, either a peach or cherry something or other.

[Genesee Ted]

I am down for sure.  OG? 

[EWW]

I am down for sure.  OG?

A gallon of honey in 5 gallons will yield a 1.080ish OG... Fruit in secondary will bring out a secondary ferment so YMWV on final ABV

[Genesee Ted]

So this will be a dry mead? 

[EWW]

Stabilize and back sweeten to 1.015-1.020 for a lower gravity mead with some residual sweetness?

Edited by EWW, 06 June 2013 - 08:12 PM.

[neddles]

This sounds good to me. How do you guys normally do this... do you define the 3 fruits or is it freestyle here? Also I am likely to split the fruits between primary and secondary.

[Genesee Ted]

I am likely to buy frozen fruit from wegs.  Or maybe just use the not from concentrate juices 

[neddles]

There may be some supplementation with pure juices here too.

[realbeerguy]

Does a 3 seasonal fruit/ berry Mel sound good to everyone? A decision needs to be made...Gallon honey and 4-5 lbs of a seasonal 3 fruit/berry combo added to secondary for a 5 gallon batch... Fermented with 71b ... Sound good?

Isn't 4-5 # fruit a little light.  I would think more like 12-15 in 5 gal batch.

[MtnBrewer]

Isn't 4-5 # fruit a little light.  I would think more like 12-15 in 5 gal batch.

Yes, I completely agree.

[EWW]

Isn't 4-5 # fruit a little light.  I would think more like 12-15 in 5 gal batch.

Sorry that wasn't clear - 4-5lbs of each fruit - total 12-15lbs

[MtnBrewer]

Sorry that wasn't clear - 4-5lbs of each fruit - total 12-15lbs

[MyaCullen]

would it be nuts to try this with a Belgian Yeast?