Mead Day 2008

Today is Mead Day and I am brewing a Root Beer Mead. Here is the recipe:

Batch 4-006
12 lbs. Clover Honey
4 oz. Gnome Root Beer extract
5 tsp. yeast nutrient
Lavlin EC-1118 (Hydrated)
Water to 5 gal

OG: 1.114; Potential ABV: 15.2%

-Safari Bob

The Tragedy of Tragedies

Today, I was racking a batch of mead when I broke my auto syphon. Man that sucks (or doesn't depending).

Apfelwein Bottled: Old Country Inn

Last night I bottled batch 4-002: Old Country Inn. This batch is Apfelwein although with a twist. I infused Old Country Inn with vanilla beans and cinnamon. Also, I used brown sugar instead of dextrose. Still it is quite dry but not as sharp. OG: 1.068; FG: 0.994; ABV: 10%.

New Batch: 4-005 Buckwheat Traditional

I have a paper that needs to be written so, of course, I had a busy day of avoiding work by playing in the mead. I racked 4-002, 4-004, and I brewed a new batch of Buckwheat Traditional. Interestingly, the OG: 1.102 is the same as the last buckwheat traditional I brewed.

I am worried about 4-004, however. The SG: 1.072 and fermentation is so slow. I may have to restart with another shot of EC-1118.

-Safari Bob