Red Deer:

'Tis time to begin...

elmn8h8:

what r we beginning Red Deer?

Kildeer:

time to begin.. already??

ViragoWitch:

::Screams::: shutup and listen!

Kildeer:

Red Deer:

Wicca 101, elmn

KindredfIame:

thanks VW

elmn8h8:

is this a class?

KindredfIame:

yup!

Red Deer:

Before I pass the besom, I need to review class etiquette...

Red Deer:

1) Please keep all BBs, MMs, MPs, and side-conversations in IM for the duration of class.

Red Deer:

2) Please hold questions and comments until our facilitator opens the floor.

Red Deer:

3) Should an exclusion be called, PLEASE cease talking to or about the excludee immediately (except in IM).

Red Deer:

4) Would one or two who expect to attend the entire class

please log for back-up?

PAniteowl:

logging

Red Deer:

5) With that, I pass the besom to MELILOT, who will lead us in discussion of one of the waters of life: MEADE

ViragoWitch:

6) Try not to chew with your mouth open.

Red Deer:

and thanks, loggers

KindredfIame:

if i can find a disk.. logging

Red Deer:

rofl

MELILOT:

Welcome all

MELILOT:

Mead is a honey wine which was popular in the Middle ages in Europe, Africa, Central America, and Australia.

MELILOT:

Ancient civilizations recognized honey for it's healthful qualities and regarded mead as revitalizing.

MELILOT:

The Greek healer, Hippocrates, employed honey in his prescriptions especially those pertaining to colds and wounds.

MELILOT:

The Roman's used honey as a base for medicinal liquors and just about anything else they could think of.

MELILOT:

Our modern custom of the "honeymoon" comer from the tradition of celebrating marriage with a month of mead drinking, thereby assuring the couples joy and fertility. Now this is one custom I would like to see come back into fashion.

MELILOT:

In Alexandris there was a custom devoted to the Goddess of placing a glass of honeyed wine on the table on the last day of the month. I don't know why but it sounds like a nice way to honor the Goddess to me. Plus being a monthly thing it might have something to do with PMS.

MELILOT:

Through out history honey and mead have played a part in our daily , medical, and religious lives.

MELILOT:

I'm going to start you off with some basic brewing information and how to make basic mead.

MELILOT:

You are going to need some supplies to start off with. A really big pot, about 2-3 gallons. Do not use aluminum! Stainless steal or enamelware work best.

MELILOT:

Large wooden, plastic, or stainless steel spoons for stirring. A slotted spoon to be used in the removal of large pieces of fruit.

MELILOT:

Strainers, Cheesecloth, or gauze to filer out sediments. Gallon size bottles either screw top or corkable. Plastic isn't recommended since it retains flavors. Balloons & rubberbands or fermentation locks. A large two to three gallon bucket. Plastic is ok for this as long as you use it only for mead.

MELILOT:

A wastebasket works great. A large dishtowel to cover containers opening. And a length of siphon hose.

MELILOT:

Cleanliness is essential to any brewing endeavor. You will need to wash everything in HOT soapy water and rinse them thoroughly.

MELILOT:

If you have an automatic dishwasher it is perfect for this. If not use water as hot as you can stand. I recommend you sanitize everything after washing.

MELILOT:

This can be done by making a sanitizing solution out of 5 gallons of water and 2 teaspoons household bleach.

MELILOT:

Soak everything in it for 30 minutes to one hour. Do not rinse after soaking. This step will reduce bacteria and wild yeasts.

MELILOT:

There are also several chemicals which may be used to help rid the brew of bacteria and wild yeasts. These can be found at brewing supply stores.

MELILOT:

Check your local yellow pages for a brewing supply store. Look under crafts, hobbies, brewing and malting.

MELILOT:

Camden tablets when added to the must will kill any unwanted wild yeasts. These also contain sulfites which will remain in your brew.

MELILOT:

So if you do use them make sure you mark the bottles as containing sulfites as some people have allergic reactions to these.

MELILOT:

Citric acid may be used in place of citric fruits if you do not want their flavor in the brew. Yeast nutrients may be added to help give the yeast a start.

MELILOT:

These are just a few of the chemicals available to the home brewer. As with any chemical, READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS!

MELILOT:

It is best to start your brew between the waxing and full moon period. The energy of the "growing" moon gives it a fuller flavor.

MELILOT:

I also don't recommend brewing when one is tired, sick, or in a pissy mood. Excess negative energy can accidentally flow into your brew.

MELILOT:

For Basic Mead you will need the following ingredients, 5 pounds honey, 1 gallon water, 2 oranges, 1 lemon, and a half package of champagne yeast.

MELILOT:

First zest your fruits, either with a zester or with a knife. Just peel them and scrape the outer membrane from the zest.

MELILOT:

Then squeeze the juice from the fruit. Pour your water into the pot then the juice and zest and finally the honey. Stir and bring to a roaring boil.

MELILOT:

Continue to boil mixture for the next hour, all the time skimming any scum off that rises to the top.

Red Deer:

mmm scum

MELILOT:

When the scum has all been skimmed off, remove pan from heat and bring to room temperature. Usually over nite.

MELILOT:

Strain through cloth or gauze into bucket. Take 1/4 cup of warm water and stir yeast into it. Add this mixture to bucket and mix together gently.

MELILOT:

Cover with dishtowel and secure towel in place with rubberbands. Place container in cool dark area , about 60 degrees, for 7 days. This is the first fermentation and is very violent and rapid. Do not disturb mixture or stir it during this time. After 7 days you will see a layer of waste on the bottom

MELILOT:

Use siphon hose to remove liquid into gallon container, try not to get any of the waste layer into bottle. This is called racking.

MELILOT:

Add enough water to bring level to one gallon. Cover mouth of bottle with either fermentation lock or use balloon and secure with rubberband.

MELILOT:

If you use balloon you will need to release gas from balloon every few days. Let set in cool dry place for 2 months, this is the second fermentation.

PAniteowl:

Meli .. a question please???

MELILOT:

yes pa

PAniteowl:

can you put a strainer on the siphon tube?

MELILOT:

yes you can i usually strain it threw gauze in addition to the siphon hose

MELILOT:

just to make sure i don't get any nasties in it

PAniteowl:

and will the fermentation decrease the water volume from the original batch?

MELILOT:

yes it will but i do not add water after the first time

MELILOT:

After two months rack into another gallon container and seal with fermentation lock or balloon. Let set another two months

MELILOT:

After this two months rack into your bottles and tightly seal with corks. Sometimes a third fermentation occurs in the bottles.

MELILOT:

This one changes the fruit sugar into milk sugar, if this occurs consider it a blessing from the Lady & Lord because it doesn't always happen.

MELILOT:

Store bottles in a cool dark place for six months before serving. This basic recipe may be altered in many ways to form your own unique blends.

PAniteowl:

ok, Mel .. so I won't know for almost a year, if I've done it right???

MELILOT:

Any wine recipe may be changed to mead simply by using honey for the sugar. Fruit juices or ciders may be used instead of water. Herbs and spices added too

MELILOT:

sure you will pa you just take a bit of a nip when you be doing the racking tis a good way to tell if you've done it right

MafiaMama3:

LOL, meli

MELILOT:

added to the mixture after you de-scum it but before you strain it. When picking ingredients or additives think about what your are trying to create.

PAniteowl:

LOL

MELILOT:

Is this brew for ritual use, to honor a certain holy day, or to serve at a gathering of friends? Pick ingredients that have qualities of your goal.

KindredfIame:

haha.. like foxgloves?

ViragoWitch:

MafiaMama3:

lol

MELILOT:

If you don't know if an herb or spice is safe to consume DO NOT USE IT. It is a good idea to label all ingredients on the bottles since we're not out to sicken or kill anyone with an allergic reaction. for

those of you who are thinking about foxgloves

MafiaMama3:

LOL

KindredfIame:

haha.. sorry meli

PAniteowl:

hmmmm ... I've got some wild belladonna growing near here

MELILOT:

ok gang her are a couple of books i recommend for anyone thinking about getting into the art of brewing

TargeDubh:

LOL Owl

KindredfIame:

hehe... let's not cause mischief now..

MELILOT:

A Witch's Brew by Patricia Telesco and Country Wines by Patti Vargas & Rich Gulling

MELILOT:

OK gang the floor is open for questions

MELILOT:

ohhhhhhhhh belladonna hehehehe

ViragoWitch:

So....would the belladonna be appropriate if I'm planning a Last Supper?

MafiaMama3:

LOL, meli

TargeDubh:

Thankx Meli for such good info

KindredfIame:

okay! Now.. why again am I not supposed to use foxgloves?

PAniteowl:

Meli .. what kind of herbal meade have you found to your liking?

PAniteowl:

cause the fox would get cold feet Kindred

MafiaMama3:

LOL

KindredfIame:

haha

ViragoWitch:

MELILOT:

i've made an apple with cinnamon and allspice

KindredfIame:

well, I'll just toss the fox in there too!

MafiaMama3:

good one, PA

Kildeer:

very cold feet.. and stiff too

TargeDubh:

Meli have you ever tried Mugwort in mead?

MELILOT:

not yet targe but it's on the list

MafiaMama3:

MafiaMama3:

is that the stuff u have told me about targe?

MELILOT:

i've made a cloverhoney, an apple spice, and a liquid spam so far

TargeDubh:

yep :)

MafiaMama3:

:-)

PAniteowl:

what about valerian in meade?

KindredfIame:

Okay, I have a real question now. If I'm having a get together and am serving mead, do I need to worry about alcohol content?

MELILOT:

for medical purposes it would be ok for general consumption i wouldn't use it pa

PAniteowl:

Yes Kindred!!!!

Red Deer:

should be QUITE relaxing Owl

ViragoWitch:

hehehe...

MELILOT:

about the same as wine kindred or champagne

KindredfIame:

okie dokie..

PAniteowl:

I was thinking of a medicinal use mel

MELILOT:

LOL

MELILOT:

i'm not quite sure i'd make a gallon of it pa but you can cut the recipe by half

KindredfIame:

are there any good books and/or recipes for non-alcoholic mead?

Red Deer:

isn't that an oxymoron?

PAniteowl:

hey Mel .. my first attempt is gonna be small and "by the book"

MELILOT:

both books i mentioned have non-alcoholic recipes kindred

KindredfIame:

yeah!

MELILOT:

LOL pa

MELILOT:

i highly recommend fermentation locks over balloons pa

PAniteowl:

ok, Mel ...

KindredfIame:

are there any legal problems with making mead? Kind of like moonshine?

MELILOT:

brews do have a way of exploding if the pressure builds up in the bottle and it's not fun to clean up

PAniteowl:

I remember a batch my grandfather was making, and somehow, they blew up!!! ... It was quite a site, and the cellar smelled real strange for a long time

TargeDubh:

why not balloons , Meli?

TargeDubh:

I mean for a small batch?

Red Deer:

no kindred... it's not distilled

Kildeer:

you are legally allowed to make alcoholic bev.. just not allowed to sell but a certain amount...

KindredfIame:

thanks.

MELILOT:

since you are not distilling it's not like moon shine kindred and you are allowed by federal law to make mead beer or wine under a certain amount for personal consumption it may not be sold

MELILOT:

i prefer not to have to release the pressure every few days

targe

Red Deer:

but never distilled spirits

TargeDubh:

ahhhh I see thankx

MELILOT:

i'm lazy dear

KindredfIame:

haah

PAniteowl:

for adding to meade batches VW???

PAniteowl:

Meli ... you said a final fermentation could occur in the final bottling .. what would encourage or prevent that?

MELILOT:

i have just tasted the spam it's still in need of aging i will test it again the day before we leave

MELILOT:

nothing you can do will encourage it i would not try to prevent it if i could since it makes a fuller richer mead

MELILOT:

it's one of the miracles of the gods pa

PAniteowl:

now why doesn't Spam Mead seem particularly appealing to me??

ViragoWitch:

hmm....

KindredfIame:

lol!

MELILOT:

heheheh cause ya know who's making it pa

Red Deer:

perhaps because SPAM isn't particularly appealing?

MELILOT:

hehehehe

MafiaMama3:

i agree, Red Deer

KindredfIame:

I would image the mead would be quite smelly after being exposed to spam

PAniteowl:

To get a good spam mead ... does that mean you don't take the scum off .. and let the "leavings" siphon thru???

MELILOT:

LOL

Red Deer:

meade-jelly

KindredfIame:

haha

x Wyn x:

ewwwwwwwwww

MELILOT:

now now now tis spiced peach apple mead

PAniteowl:

ROFL

ViragoWitch:

sounds better than scrapple mead

MELILOT:

hemmmmmmmmmmmmmmm i think i can make mead jelly

PAniteowl:

awwwww Mel ... you spoiled the surprise

Red Deer:

you can make anything meli

MELILOT:

ROFLMAO

MELILOT:

awwwwwwwwwwwww

ViragoWitch:

meli- why not? vegemite is the leftover scum from brewing beer..and people eat it.

KindredfIame:

haha

ViragoWitch:

i do, however, advise strongly against putting either scrapple or vegemite anywhere near your mouth

MELILOT:

vw my dog eats cat shit don't mean i'm gonna try it

MELILOT:

and i trust my dog more that "some people"

KindredfIame:

LOL

PAniteowl:

LOL ... uh can I "log off" now???

KindredfIame:

diddo.

MELILOT:

yes i think we have done all we care to with mead tonight

Red Deer:

I believe so.... Thanks for a very informative class meli.

Red Deer:

I really enjoyed it.

PAniteowl:

Great class Meli !!!!!

KindredfIame:

yes, thank you!

KindredfIame:

MELILOT:

thanks everyone

KK Hill:

good one Mel

TargeDubh:

THANKX .... MELI...... BKOC

ViragoWitch:

done all we care...aside from drinking it.

PAniteowl:

drink it????!!!! I thought we were supposed to bathe in it???

KindredfIame:

haha

Red Deer:

rofl

Kildeer: