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Post by djmadonia on Oct 13, 2021 18:31:36 GMT
I hate to be that guy but have you considered making your own? Most recipes are extremely simple and come out better than the commercially available stuff. It is fairly simple, but if you want to get to the level of the GOOD commercial examples you have to step your game up in regards to honey types and their sources, and things like staggered nutrient additions and water chemistry.
From my experience homebrewing and being around that crowd I think their is a great deal of people deluding themselves into believing they've made something better than professionals because they made it and it's theirs. I guess that's all that really matters though as long as you aren't being annoying about it to others.
I would say it depends on where you are located. The stuff I make is far better then the brands I could buy, but that being said my choices aren't fantastic.
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Post by skelley on Oct 13, 2021 20:56:03 GMT
I've only had two meads from the same maker but I really like them. Dansk Mjod Viking Blod and Dansk Mjod Ribe Mjod Apple Honey Mead. I honesty got them the first time because of the ceramic bottles. After finishing them, I'll take my war hammer and give them a good smash. Gotta make sure I get all the shards but I think it's worth it. I actually drank the whole bottle myself the first time at the family Christmas party. I didn't even realize it until I went to put the bottle up. Glad I didn't have to work the next morning.
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Post by snubnoze on Oct 13, 2021 21:45:41 GMT
I would say it depends on where you are located. The stuff I make is far better then the brands I could buy, but that being said my choices aren't fantastic. Fair point. Also, good Meaderies are few and far between and I have had some excellent home brewed ones as well.
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Post by alientude on Oct 16, 2021 4:29:11 GMT
Looks like Schramm's is available in a relatively nearby liquor store here in Southern California, and I'll be near there this Thursday.
Turns out that liquor store didn't have Schramm's, so I bought a different one to try. It's quite a unique drink. Very sweet, but the alcohol hits pretty hard!
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Post by mrbadexample on Oct 16, 2021 14:33:52 GMT
Looks like Schramm's is available in a relatively nearby liquor store here in Southern California, and I'll be near there this Thursday.
Turns out that liquor store didn't have Schramm's, so I bought a different one to try. It's quite a unique drink. Very sweet, but the alcohol hits pretty hard!
See if you can find a dry one next. The distinct flavor of honey without the sweetness is very interesting and, for my tastes, better. When I brew my own mead, I use a high alcohol yeast to help make sure the little critters have time to eat all the sugars. You are right about the kick. I had a friend spend the night on my back lawn once after he ignored my warnings about one of my batches.
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Post by RickDastardly on Oct 16, 2021 15:38:02 GMT
Well, I prefer my own traditional (dry and very strong!) but since I didn't make any last year (life got in the way), I'm close to running out now. Just two gallons left from the last 15 gallons I made two years ago. That said...
For anyone in GB, I would recommend Moniack Mead*, or traditional from Lyme Bay Winery. They aren't too sweet, and not messed about with and adulterated with cheap spirits like some well known brands here are.
*Moniack Mead used to be made at Moniack Castle, near Inverness, by the castle's family. It's now made by Lyme Bay who bought the winery business. They seem to have kept it close to the original though, and it was my favourite commercial mead. Every time I had a trip to Scotland I would make a pilgrimage there and return with a case or two of their mead.
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Post by RickDastardly on Oct 16, 2021 15:43:26 GMT
When I brew my own mead, I use a high alcohol yeast to help make sure the little critters have time to eat all the sugars.
Same here. Then I step feed and use Fermaid O for nutirent to squeeze every last bit of alcohol out. Got about 18% iirc on the last batch. It certainly does the trick.
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