Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 13:32:59 -0400
From: bapier-at-impop.bellatlantic.net <Bruce Pierson>
Subject: Mead

Pre-Meditative Mead

6 lb. honey.      (I used honey from a beekeeper that put his hives
under apple trees)
1.5 gallons         water
2 pinches           Woodruff (Added when cool)
6 seeds              Grains of Paradise crushed  (Added after boil)
1 packet            Cote De Blanc  with 1.5 tsp yeast nutrient.

Brought to boil and held for 15 minutes, skimming off the coagulating
albumin that rises to the top. Turn off heat add Grains of Paradise, let
it cool just a bit more and add the Woodruff. Pitched the yeast at 78F.
Fermented for 6 weeks, then racked and bottled, priming with  1/3 cup of
dextrose. Aged for 6 months.  This is a dry sparkling mead. I did not do
gravity readings on it, but one could smell a bit of alcohol volitizing
off when the bottle was opened.  Woodruff has the reputation among the
Druid as beinga mild halucinogen. Alas, this did not seem to be true. It
was, however the best mead I have made so far.