From 16c3f326432d70346fc6e5e66ceb3d1a42a9fdda Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Shard Date: Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:10:21 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] Update apple mead plan to four gallons --- process.md | 12 ++++++------ recipe.md | 31 ++++++++++++++++--------------- 2 files changed, 22 insertions(+), 21 deletions(-) diff --git a/process.md b/process.md index 2b85686..b858d0c 100644 --- a/process.md +++ b/process.md @@ -2,18 +2,18 @@ ## Phase 0 — Before brew day -- Confirm extra 3 gallon carboy is available for secondary. +- Confirm a 5 gallon carboy or other low-headspace secondary plan is available before primary completes. If only the 3 gallon carboy is available, rack the best 3 gallons to secondary and use the remainder separately. - Confirm apple cider/juice has no sorbate/benzoate. - Confirm yeast, nutrient, pectic enzyme, sanitizer, and hydrometer are ready. -- Decide whether to start with 5.5, 6, or 6.5 lb honey. - - Safer first target: start with 5.5–6 lb, measure gravity, adjust only if needed. +- Decide whether to start with 7.5 or 8 lb honey. + - Safer first target: start with 7.5 lb, measure gravity, adjust only if needed. ## Phase 1 — Brew day 1. Clean first, sanitize second. 2. Add cider/juice + honey to bucket. 3. Mix thoroughly. -4. Top to 3 gallons. +4. Top to 4 gallons. 5. Measure OG and temperature. 6. Add pectic enzyme per label. 7. Rehydrate/pitch yeast. @@ -43,8 +43,8 @@ Only when gravity is stable and fermentation is done: -1. Add potassium metabisulfite/Campden per label for 3 gal. -2. Add potassium sorbate per label for 3 gal. +1. Add potassium metabisulfite/Campden per label for the actual stabilized volume. +2. Add potassium sorbate per label for the actual stabilized volume. 3. Wait at least 24 hours. ## Phase 6 — Flavoring diff --git a/recipe.md b/recipe.md index 8464fb0..35449bf 100644 --- a/recipe.md +++ b/recipe.md @@ -1,4 +1,4 @@ -# Recipe — 3 Gallon Apple Honey Butter Mead +# Recipe — 4 Gallon Apple Honey Butter Mead ## Target profile @@ -15,9 +15,10 @@ A sweet/semi-sweet apple dessert mead with: | Target | Value | |---|---:| -| Finished volume | 3.0 gallons | -| Primary honey | start with 5.5–6 lb, adjust toward OG | -| Apple cider/juice | to 3.0 gallons total | +| Finished volume | 4.0 gallons | +| Primary honey | start with 7.5–8 lb, adjust toward OG | +| Apple cider/juice | about 2.5 gallons preservative-free apple juice/cider | +| Top-up water | about 0.8–0.9 gallons, adjusted to final volume after honey is dissolved | | Target original gravity | ~1.095–1.105 | | Yeast | 1 packet Lalvin 71B-1122 | | Expected ABV if dry | ~12.5–13.5% | @@ -25,9 +26,9 @@ A sweet/semi-sweet apple dessert mead with: ## Primary recipe -1. Add about 2 gallons preservative-free cider/juice to sanitized bucket. -2. Dissolve 5.5–6 lb honey thoroughly. -3. Top up with cider/juice to 3 gallons total. +1. Add about 2.5 gallons preservative-free cider/juice to sanitized bucket. +2. Dissolve 7.5–8 lb honey thoroughly. +3. Top up with water to 4 gallons total. 4. Mix very thoroughly. 5. Measure gravity. 6. If OG is below target, add honey incrementally and recheck. @@ -39,24 +40,24 @@ A sweet/semi-sweet apple dessert mead with: Honey adds roughly 35 gravity points per pound per gallon. -In a 3 gallon batch: +In a 4 gallon batch: ```text -1 lb honey ≈ +0.011–0.012 SG +1 lb honey ≈ +0.008–0.009 SG ``` -Apple juice/cider may already be around 1.045–1.055. Start with 5.5–6 lb honey, measure, then adjust. Do not blindly add all possible honey before measuring. +Apple juice/cider may already be around 1.045–1.055. With 2.5 gallons of apple juice in a 4 gallon batch, 7.5–8 lb honey should land near the target range. Measure before pitching, then adjust. Do not blindly add all possible honey before measuring. ## Nutrient schedule template -Use ~12 g Fermaid O total for 3 gallons, split approximately: +Use ~16 g Fermaid O total for 4 gallons, split approximately: | Time | Amount | |---|---:| -| T+24h | 3 g | -| T+48h | 3 g | -| T+72h | 3 g | -| Day 5 or before 1/3 sugar break | 3 g only if appropriate | +| T+24h | 4 g | +| T+48h | 4 g | +| T+72h | 4 g | +| Day 5 or before 1/3 sugar break | 4 g only if appropriate | Before nutrient additions, degas gently first. Nutrient powder can cause a foam-up.