truckmann

iTrader: (8)

New setup in action. 10 gallons of unfermented beer going into my new 15 gallon fermenter! The beer coming out of the pot is at 200+ deg F and the chiller cools it down to 75-80 deg before it enters the fermenter.

bigbadwolf54

iTrader: (14)

I wonder what the neighbors think when they see this contraption outside>......haha

truckmann

iTrader: (8)

Funny you should say that. I my neighbors are in their 70's or 80's and she asked me yesterday if I was making some "white lighting". She almost looked disappointed when I told her it was just beer. They are good neighbors.

MeanZ71

iTrader: (6)

Ryan I think I need to make another trip to Sapulpa to do some test tastes

truckmann

iTrader: (8)

Ha ha.. Come on over. I have a few gallons on tap and the new batch will be ready in a couple of weeks. I also just put 5 gallons of Apfelwein (German hard cider) in a keg and started another 5 gallons in the fermenter.

If anyone knows where I can get a good supply of cheap quality Honey I'm thinking about starting to make mead too.

MeanZ71

iTrader: (6)

Once we get Brit a car I'll make my way over. Also there has to be some redneck bee farmers somewhere around here, probably have to ask around.

MeanZ71

iTrader: (6)

Found some local Honey: http://www.okbees.org/membersproducts.htm

truckmann

iTrader: (8)

I actually work with a guy that raises bee's and he's suppose to be checking around to help me find a good supply of local honey. I got a jar of honey from him, but I don't think he has enough bee's to get me the amount of honey I'm looking for, or at least doesn't want to let go of that much. Also his wife has started crackin down on his price and is probably gonna make him start charging more for it.

There are places on-line I can order it for about $3-$5/lb. depending on the variety. I need 12-15 lbs. for a 5 gallon batch of mead. 1 gallon is about 12 lbs.

MeanZ71

iTrader: (6)

Is mead wine?

truckmann

iTrader: (8)

It is sometimes referred to as "Honey wine" and can reach upwards of 18% ABV

Technically mead is fermented honey, water and yeast. You can also add countless other fruits or spices which can make for an endless combination of flavors.

The hardest thing about making mead is the waiting. It can be 6 months to a year before the mead is really ready to drink. When it is newly fermented it tends to have a harsh alcohol bite. As it ages the honey continues to break down and add honey flavor back to the mead.