Two Cherry Tupelo NHC 2009

Category 25: Melomel (Fruit Mead)
Sponsored by Bacchus and Barleycorn, Ltd.

2009 AHA National Homebrew Competition Gold Medal
Thomas Eibner, St. Paul, Minn., Melomel, Saint Paul Homebrewers Club

NHC 2009 Meadmaker of the Year
Sponsored by Redstone Meadery

“Two Cherry Tupelo”

Still Sweet Melomel with Two Cherry Varieties and Tupelo Honey 

Ingredients for 5.5 U.S. gallons (20.82 liters)

24.0 lb            (10.89 kg) Tupelo honey

10.0 lb            (4.54 kg) unpitted Montmorency sour cherries

10.0 lb            (4.54 kg) unpitted dark sour cherries

1.0 tsp            (4.9 mL) pectic enzyme

                        Filtered St. Paul water up to volume

2 packets       Lalvin 71B yeast

                        Curt Stock nutrient additions

                        Wyeast sweet mead yeast

Original Specific Gravity: [unknown]

Final Specific Gravity: [unknown]

Boiling time: n/a

Primary Fermentation: 1 month on cherries in glass

Secondary Fermentation: 2 months in glass

Tertiary Fermentation: 1.5 years in steel

Judges’ Comments

“Very distinctive flavors. Cherry is quite strong, tupelo character is clear. Plenty of acid to balance. Full bodied, warming.”

“Honey flavor blossoms as it warms. Warming and smooth. Fruit and honey are balanced.”

Runners-Up

Silver Medal: Gordon Strong, Beavercreek, Ohio, Blackcurrant and Cherry Melomel, Saint Paul Homebrewers Club

Bronze Medal: David Barber, Kempton, Pa., Cyser (Apple Melomel), Lehigh Valley Home Brewers