Hopyard Harvest Mead
Enjoy the refreshing blend of floral hops and rich honey with this Hopyard Mead recipe. This craft beverage showcases the vibrant flavors of fresh hop cones and a subtle touch of raisins for added complexity. Perfect for those looking to experiment with homebrewing, this easy-to-follow recipe yields a delightful, aromatic mead that your friends and family will love.
ingredients
- ½ gallon non-chlorinated water (for topping off jug)
- ½ gallon non-chlorinated water (for hopped infusion)
- 10 raisins (for fruit supplement)
- ½-1 cup fresh hop cones (dependent on desired hop profile)
- 3 lbs amber or darker honey
- ½ package Lalvin ICV D-47 or any suitable wine yeast
steps
- 1.
Start by heating ½ gallon of non-chlorinated water in a pot; add the fresh hop cones and bring to a gentle simmer for 10–15 minutes.
- 2.
Strain the hopped water into a large fermenting jug, discarding the hop cones, and allow the liquid to cool to room temperature.
- 3.
In a separate container, combine the amber honey with the second ½ gallon of non-chlorinated water, stirring well until fully dissolved.
- 4.
Add the honey-water mixture to the fermenting jug with hopped water.
- 5.
Drop in the 10 raisins for complexity and natural sweetness; they can also act as a nutrient source for the yeast.
- 6.
Sprinkle the yeast (Lalvin ICV D-47) into the mixture, gently stirring to incorporate it.
- 7.
Seal the fermenting jug with an airlock, ensuring it’s in a cool, dark place for fermentation. Let it sit for 2-4 weeks, depending on desired fermentation depth.
- 8.
Once fermentation is complete, siphon the mead into clean bottles, leaving sediment behind. Seal and store in a cool place for aging.
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