I think I'm going to do a small test batch -- I have two 2ltr glass flagons formerly filled with cider that are begging to be turned into demi-demi-demijohns for this very purpose. Wonder if I can get away with tesco value honey
Sorry to dig up an old-ish thread. So I gave this a try, using a smaller container and so less honey and water, and without the fruit. Basically 2 months (I'd guess) later the airlock has stopped bubbling, but what I have isn't clear, it's just a lighter colour than it was when it started. It looks kind of like cloudy lemonade. Anyway, I had started 3 batches off (they cost like 1.30 a pop if I use baking yeast, so whatever) and have just opened the first -- doesn't seem to have worked. I'll give the other two a shot but I'm not hopeful, the second is much like the first (though the first MAY have got air exposure via a leaky airlock), but the third has more honey so is darker, looks more like yours. All three are staying cloudy, despite the accumulation of crud at the bottom : ( Any idea what could have gone wrong, assuming it didn't get air exposure? What I have here certainly aint mead - smells like Strongbow and though I dare not taste it I'd imagine it's probably a bit vinegary. Ciao
You didn't use fruit? So it's just honey, water and yeast? And less honey and water (but the same amount of yeast) at that? Just a guess, but that may be your problem.
<pedant>Well, yes, that's what mead is </pedant> It was two jars of honey (1kg, ~2.2lbs), water to make up to 2 litres, and "a yeast" (7g?). It looked ok when it started Will buy some different yeast over xmas and have another shot, I think, still I'd like to know if there's a specific reason it failed. :\ I was looking forward to some meady goodness for the holiday period : ( My dreams, like so many Vikings, are crushed! They're cheap to make so I'll try again (as I said it's less than 3 quid for 2 litres), but I'm obviously doing something bad. Possibly the yeast.
Actually yesterday night I was decanting 'Chateau profqwerty' from the demijohns into bottles and corking them....21 bottles of wine on the wall! 3 demijohns were grape juice, the 4th was elderflower (which now tastes pretty iffy if you ask me). I was surprised to find it had actully worked and was pretty alcoholic! another 2 months in the bottles at least and they might just taste quite nice! hands hurt like heck after all the boiling water (unfortunately I don't have asbestos hands...might do now though) almost pulled a nail off with the corking thing.
