Thursday, August 11, 2011

Peach Cinnamon Melomel

My arm is feeling better so I decided to make some mead! I went to Wal-Fart and discovered that peaches were on sale for $.75/lb so I grabbed some and got busy. I love the peach/cinnamon flavor combination and I am hoping for a dry, peach mead with a touch of cinnamon. When I sampled the must it was fantastic and distinctly reminded me of peach pie (mmm... peach pie). Hopefully, it will translate into some tasty mead that should be ready for next summer.

Here are the specs:

7-006

  • 10 lbs fresh, ripe peaches (pureed)

  • 12 lbs clover honey

  • 1 cinnamon stick (pureed with peaches)

  • 3 tsp yeast nutrient

  • 4 gal water

  • KIV-1116

  • OG: 1.094



Wassail!

-Safari Bob

Friday, August 5, 2011

2011 Cactus Challenge

Oh yes! It is time for the 2011 Cactus Challenge where legends are made and dreams are crushed. Hopefully, my dream of a ribbon will not be crushed this year but I have had terrible results overall this competition season. Only the Little Joe's received anything (an Honorable Mention). I really have to step up my game.

This year I am entering 5 meads:

  • Black Stone: Dry Mead (24A)

  • Autumn Harvest: Cyser (25A)

  • Mango Chili: Other Fruit Melomel (25C)

  • Yuletide: Metheglin (26A)

  • Little Joe's Cream Mead: Open Category Mead (26C)



I'm dipping into the cellar on a couple of these. The Yuletide is the second batch I ever made while the Autumn Harvest is the fourth. Hopefully the aging will help with complexity and bring home some bling!

-Safari Bob