Zocco’s Sweet Mead
Zocco’s Sweet Mead
(5 gallons/19 L)
OG = 1.111 FG = 1.033
ABV = 10.1%
Ingredients
15 lbs. (6.8 kg) honey (your choice)
5 tsp. yeast nutrient
5 tsp. acid blend
Wyeast 3184 (Sweet mead) or White Labs WLP720 (Sweet mead/Wine) yeast (make 1 qt./1 L starter)
0.25 oz. (7 g) Sparkolloid (if needed for clarity)
Step by Step
Heat 2 gallons (7.6 L) of water under medium heat. Stir in honey, then add water to make 5 gallons (19 L). Add yeast nutrient and acid blend. Slowly heat to 160 °F (71 °C) and let honey and water mixture sit covered for 15 minutes. Cool the unfermented mead (called must) to 80 °F (27 °C) and transfer to fermenter. Aerate and pitch yeast. Ferment for about three months at 65-75 °F (18-24 °C), then rack to secondary. Let mead condition and clear. Fine with Spakolloid, if needed. Bottle.
Written by Paul Zocco
Paul Zocco was the 2003 National Meadmaker of the Year and 2001-2004 New England Meadmaker of the Year.