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| − | [[Category:Mead]] | + | #REDIRECT[[:Category:Mead making process]] |
| − | {{Template:Mead Making Process}}
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| − | Making [[mead]] at home takes longer than brewing [[beer]], but the process itself is generally simpler. Because honey is composed mostly of [[sugar]], there is no need for a [[mash]]. Because of honey's own natural preservative properties and the absence of [[hops]], there is no need for a [[boil]] (although one is sometimes done). Mead is also less subject to [[oxidation]], and since it is immune to [[skunking]] (unless [[hops]] are used), it can be stored, fermented and bottled in clear containers and in light conditions.
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| − | While the process may be easier, it is also slower; [[mead]] requires considerably more time for [[fermentation]] than most beers, and often requires significant [[aging]] before it is ready to drink.
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| − | Great [[mead]] can be made with just honey, water and yeast, but the variety of ingredients that can be added to mead, including [[fruit]], [[herbs and spices]], offer an outlet for brewers or vintners who enjoy experimentation.
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| − | ==Overview of the Mead Making Process==
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| − | ===Mead Making in a Nutshell===
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| − | [[Beer]], [[wine]], [[cider]], and [[mead]] are all made by the same fundamental process: [[fermentation]]. In [[fermentation]], [[yeast]] is added to a [[sugar]] solution. The [[yeast]] eats the sugar and produces [[carbon dioxide]] and [[alcohol]]. The brewer's only jobs are to make the sugary solution and create the best possible conditions for the [[yeast]] to do their work.
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| − | In [[mead]] making, the sugar solution is called [[must]], and the [[sugars]] come primarily from [[honey]] mixed with [[water]]. [[Yeast]] is added to this solution and allowed to [[ferment]].
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| − | That doesn't sound so hard, does it?
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| − | ===Mead Making for Beginners===
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| − | Mead making can be as complicated or as simple as you want it to be. Don't be scared off by obscure mead terminology; while mead geeks like to talk about [[pyment]], [[metheglin]], and [[cyser]], the basics of mead making is really pretty simple.
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| − | The articles below are organized in ten steps. For each step, the accompanying article contains a section "For Beginners", which explains the basic procedures recommended for beginning mead makers. These procedures assume that you will be starting with a simple mead made with just [[honey]], which you will be fermenting in a [[plastic bucket]] fermenter. The "beginners" section will also note differences between the [[beer]] and [[mead]] making processes that will help experienced brewers get up to speed quickly.
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| − | ===The Ten Steps of Mead Making===
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| − | The mead making process can be summarized in ten easy steps:
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| − | #'''[[Preparing Mead Ingredients]]''' can be as simple as smacking a smack pack, or it can involve complicated questions of water chemistry.
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| − | #'''[[Cleaning and Sanitation]]''' are surprisingly important, which can intimidate beginners, but modern cleaning and sanitizing products make it easy.
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| − | #'''[[Making the Must]]''', as unfermented mead is called, can be as simple as mixing honey and water.
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| − | #'''[[Racking and Aerating]]''' are the steps needed to prepare the [[must]] for fermentation.
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| − | #'''[[Yeast Pitching and Nutrition]]''' is brewing jargon for adding the properly prepared [[yeast]] to the [[must]].
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| − | #'''[[Mead Fermentation]]''' is when the [[yeast]] changes the [[must]] into [[mead]].
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| − | #'''[[Balancing and Flavoring]]''' involves adding additional [[Mead ingredients|ingredients]] to the fermenting or fermented [[mead]]
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| − | #'''[[Conditioning and Aging]]''' involves optional extra steps to finish the fermentation and add character to your brew.
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| − | #'''[[Bottling and Carbonation]]''' are the final steps; carbonation is optional.
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| − | #Finally, '''[[Serving the Mead]]''' is what mead making is really all about.
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| − | Each step is explained briefly below, or follow the links to the main article on each subject for detailed information.
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| − | ==Mead Making Equipment==
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| − | {{main|Mead equipment}}
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| − | Mead requires much less in the way of equipment than beer. If you have a basic [[beer]] or [[wine]] making system, you have everything you need to make [[mead]] as well. The most important things you will need are:
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| − | *a plastic [[bucket fermenter]]
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| − | *a plastic [[bottling bucket]]
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| − | *an [[airlock]]
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| − | *a length of plastic tubing
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| − | *a [[hydrometer]]
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| − | Specialized equipment needed for certain techniques or procedures will be described in the text, or you can visit the [[Mead equipment]] page for a more in-depth discussion.
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| − | ==Mead Making Step By Step==
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| − | ===Preparing the Ingredients===
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| − | {{main|Preparing Mead Ingredients}}
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| − | {{sectionStub}}
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| − | ===Cleaning and Sanitation===
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| − | {{main|Cleaning and Sanitation}}
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| − | {{SectionStub}}
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| − | ===Making the Must===
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| − | {{main|Making the Must}}
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| − | {{sectionStub}}
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| − | ===Racking and Aerating===
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| − | {{main|Racking and Aerating}}
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| − | {{sectionStub}}
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| − | ===Yeast Pitching and Nutrition===
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| − | {{main|Yeast Pitching and Nutrition}}
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| − | {{sectionStub}}
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| − | ===Mead Fermentation===
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| − | {{main|Mead Fermentation}}
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| − | {{sectionStub}}
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| − | ===Balancing and Flavoring===
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| − | {{main|Balancing and Flavoring}}
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| − | {{sectionStub}}
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| − | ===Conditioning and Aging===
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| − | {{main|Conditioning and Aging}}
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| − | {{sectionStub}}
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| − | ===Bottling and Carbonation===
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| − | {{main|Bottling and Carbonation}}
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| − | {{sectionStub}}
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| − | ===Serving the Mead===
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| − | {{main|Serving the Mead}}
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| − | You've waited long enough! Visit the [[Serving the Mead]] page for information on the best way to pour from a [[bottle-conditioned]] [[bottle]] and information on [[tasting mead]] like a pro.
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