RE: Ancient Orange Mead Recipe
@Grow-pro A lot of people use a "Brew bucket" for their first mix and fermentation, prior to their first rack. Due to the wider opening it allows for better access to the mix, and allows easier mixing and adding of larger items to influence flavors. It doesn't change the end product taste, but for longer term aging and storage I would use a glass carboy like he has.
The "Brew Bucket" is the actual name brand that people use, usually 6 gallons and it looks like your average 5 gallon bucket with a lid, but it is made of food grade plastic, already has the hole and gasket in the lid for an airlock. They are also really cheap in comparison to the carboys. Then when they rack into the car boy it makes clean up easier, since you remove the top hose it out, clean it, sanitize and your back into making a new batch. I wouldn't age in plastic mainly because of what it could leech into the product, with prolonged exposure. Even bottled water has an expiration date, for the bottle, glass wont leach.
Awesome, thank you so much @mbrown121500. I'm searching around now for brew buckets. I found the stainless ones (a bit pricey, but they are sleek!).
But this is more in line with my current skill level:
Agreed, it definitely alters the flavor. I think everything tastes better out of glass. I order a lot of supplies from Uline and will check their prices on food grade buckets, but I'm half tempted to learn a bit more and save for the SS Brewtech setup. Might have to have a yard sale and raise some funds for another hobby..haha
Thanks again for your reply, it really helped!
I was mistaken, it wasn't brew bucket that I have, its an Ale Pail. The 6.5 gallon one is like twelve dollars, I wouldn't go stainless, that's more for beer since they have to boil and raise the temperature higher than the plastic ones would allow.
Until you start adding hops to your product and they require boiling, stick with plastic and glass. They are cheaper and easier to find than stainless steel, and don't ever go with aluminum it leeches horribly.
I'll be growing hops next year, for brewing, but I want to try my hand at making this mead first.
Think I'll stick to your advice and find a decent plastic bucket that's ready to rock n roll.
I have a ton of blackberries (enough to fill 5 gallon buckets up) and was considering also trying some blackberry brandy. I know that's getting way ahead, but I've got to figure out what to do with all of these.
You know I hate hops too as a man. Switch to mead and leave the estrogen for the women. haha ;-)
Yeah, picking up and shaking a stainless steel brewing vessel isn't going to be fun either.
Agreed aluminum wise. I avoid it as if it were poison... because it is.
Honestly, I don't think you're going to let it age much at first. You're going to want to drink it. haha Mine sit for three months, and then they magically disappear soon after between myself, the people in my family who drink it, and the bartering I do with the extra.
I like the glass bottles, but I worry about dropping them. Part of my process is picking the bottle up and shaking the crap out of it for a few minutes. That might be hard to do with a 6 gallon bucket??? The glass bottles are about 60 bucks for the big one.
Get the smaller 3 gallon ones though to start if you do decide on glass. That way they are far easier to shake up and carry to place in a dark area. I cannot prepare them in the same place as they are stored, so being able to carry them easily and safely is a big plus.
With the 6gal plastic buckets, if it's sealed well, I could take it for a spin on the trailer. That's how I mixed a lot of paint..lol link up the trailer to the tractor and cruse around the property for a few. It shakes me up, so I knew it would work well for that - it does. Shaking it by hand would be one heck of a workout!
I have seen those glass jugs around at many antique shops and consignment places - that's where I'm going to check.
Make sure you do not spend too much on an old bottle. The Italian glass new ones are cheap if you go to the store and don't pay shipping.