Learn How to Brew Mead at Home
Mead is a sweet alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey and water that has a long history and is sure to please most gourmets. You can find it in stores, or make a large batch at home for a cheap price.
In this video from Make: YouTube, Jim Austin shares a simple mead recipe that takes a long time to brew but is a great starting point for early brewers. Start by preheating honey to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit in a low-temperature oven or warm water bath, and while it heats up, make sure all of your equipment is bacteria-free using the methods outlined in the video. Now, combine 15.75 pounds of 120 degrees Fahrenheit water with seven pounds of preheated honey in a large saucepan. Stir until honey dissolves over low heat.
Add eight grams of acid mixture, seven grams of yeast nutrient, and five grams of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) to a saucepan and stir until dissolved. Once everything is mixed, pour the mixture into a large glass bottle, then add two and a half campden tablets to cleanse the mixture of wild yeast and bacteria. Cap the bottle, then place in a cool, dark place for 24 hours. After that, you add yeast and wait a little. In a few weeks, you will have a completely fermented delicious mead that you can bottle and share with family and friends.
Brewing Mead | Youtube