Brewer Brian's Orange Blossom Mead aka Batch #93 1/2 Semi-Sweet Mead NHC08

Category 24: Traditional Mead

2008 AHA National Homebrew Competition Gold Medal

Sponsored by Redstone Meadery
Brian Cooper, Pleasanton, CA, Semi-sweet Mead, Mad Zymurgists
"Brewer Brian's Orange Blossom Mead" aka "Batch #93 ½"

Semi-Sweet Mead

Ingredients for 7 U.S. gallons (26.5 liters)

15.0    lb (6.8 kg) orange blossom honey

0.25    oz (7 g) Wyeast yeast nutrient 

1.0       package Wyeast No 2206 Bavarian lager yeast

1.0       tsp Irish Moss (4.9 mL)

Original Specific Gravity: 1.077

Final Specific Gravity: 1.021

Boiling Time: n/a

Primary Fermentation: 46 days at 72° F (22°C) in glass

Secondary Fermentation: 36 days at 72° F (22°C) in glass

Directions

Bring water to boil, turn off heat, add honey and mix well. Skim foam that forms, add Irish moss and heat gently until second foam forms, then remove from heat. Chill, transfer and proceed with fermentation.

Judges' Comments

"Excellent balance of carbonation, strength and sweetness. Very drinkable."

"A very nice mead-great carbonation level. The lower alcohol content is nice and makes this a very enjoyable mead."

"Very nice hydromel. Nice orange blossom honey flavor-very refreshing in a heavy category. If anything, I would add a small amount of grape tannin to help balance the sweetness and acids. Great job!"