Anywhere from 9 months to 2 years has been given as a good framework for bulk aging, but much comes from the mead itself, type of varietal honey used, how well the mead finished out, whether oak was used, and many other variables.
Subsequently, how do you age a mead?
Aging the Mead
Cap the bottles and store them in a cool and dark location. I would give them two or three weeks of aging time at the very least, but you can also let them age for up to a year! The taste will only get better and smoother as time goes on.
- don’t make it crazy high gravity… …
- Some yeasts do better turning around quick… …
- Use proper pitch rate — we’re talking big starters here, and using multiple packets of yeast if using dry yeast. …
- Oxygenate! …
- Staggered Nutrient Additions!
Then, can you age Mead in the fridge?
Since there’s quite a lot of alcohol in a classic mead, you don’t need to refrigerate it after opening. Keeping it in the pantry is okay, just make sure the bottle is sealed tightly. … In general, unless the label says otherwise, you should store opened lighter meads in the fridge.
Does Mead get sweeter with age?
Always age your mead at least 6 months. The sweeter your mead, the less time it takes to mature. I’ve had a few sweet meads that were good at 6 months and a year. … Ginger and similar aromatic ingredients: 18 months–longer aging diminishes flavors.
Can Mead make you sick?
Mead may potentially cause serious allergic reactions in some people, especially those with honey and alcohol allergies or intolerances. Though rare, there have been reports of honey leading to anaphylactic reactions.
Can you store Mead in a Mason jar?
Yes you can bottle in mason jars. No you should not heat them as it will damage the delicate mead. It is probably not the best container as I don’t think the lid provides the best seal without a vacuum in the container, however it will still work for shorter term storage. My personal preference is to use beer bottles.
How long will Mead keep once opened?
How long will mead last? A. Most meads age very well in the bottle, some for 10 years or more. Once opened, they can be stored for three or more weeks in the fridge without losing their quality.
Does Mead improve with age?
All our meads will improve, over time. But, as the mead sits in the bottle, it will undergo a “mellowing” process that allows some notes to come forward, while others retreat. … The core composition will never change nor will the basic flavor, but the tones will fluctuate.
Why does Mead take so long?
Mead can come in all shapes and sizes ranging from strong high ABV versions down to lighter iterations that are about as strong as beer. It is going to take longer to make one of these than the other due to fermentation. … This sort of ABV is going to mean the mead will require a certain amount of time conditioning.
How long can Mead sit on Lees?
Why does my Mead smell bad?
Hydrogen Sulfide, H2S, is a natural secondary metabolite of many yeast strains, especially ones which ferment in low mineral content environments, like cider and mead yeast. (You can learn more about secondary metabolites here.) If you are making one of the above beverages, and it smells like cheese farts, don’t worry!