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How to Make Mead at Home

Oct 30, 2024

3 min read

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an image of a glass of mead with a honey stirrer in the background. the image has a title for a blog "How to make mead at home," by enchoney.com

Mead, the ancient honey-based alcoholic beverage, has been enjoyed for centuries and is now making a comeback with home brewers. Whether you're a novice or experienced brewer, making mead at home is a rewarding and straightforward process, especially when you use high-quality bulk raw honey from ENC Honey as your main ingredient.


What You’ll Need:

  • Bulk Raw Honey (about 12-15 pounds for a 5-gallon batch)

  • Water (filtered or distilled)

  • Mead yeast (Lalvin D-47 or EC-1118 are popular choices)

  • Yeast nutrient

  • Fermentation bucket or carboy (5-gallon)

  • Airlock and stopper

  • Sanitizer for equipment

  • Siphon tubing and bottles for storage


Step 1: Sanitize Your Equipment

Before you begin, make sure all your brewing equipment is sanitized to prevent contamination. This is essential for ensuring your mead ferments properly and remains free of harmful bacteria.


Step 2: Prepare Your Must

The must is the mixture of honey and water that will ferment into mead. For a 5-gallon batch, you’ll need 12-15 pounds of honey, depending on how sweet you want your mead to be. The more honey you use, the sweeter and higher in alcohol the final product will be.

  • Warm your honey by placing the container in hot water for easier pouring.

  • Pour the honey into your sanitized fermentation bucket.

  • Add 4 gallons of warm water (not boiling) and stir until the honey is fully dissolved.


Step 3: Add Yeast and Nutrients

Once your must is prepared, it's time to add the yeast. Sprinkle the yeast over the surface of the must, following the package instructions. Adding yeast nutrient at this stage helps promote healthy fermentation and ensures the yeast has everything it needs to thrive.


Step 4: Ferment the Mead

Attach the airlock and stopper to the top of your fermentation bucket to allow gases to escape during fermentation. Place the bucket in a cool, dark place where the temperature remains stable, ideally between 60-70°F (15-21°C).

Fermentation typically lasts 2-4 weeks, depending on the temperature and yeast used. During this time, you’ll notice bubbling in the airlock, indicating that the yeast is converting the sugars in the honey into alcohol.


Step 5: Rack the Mead

After fermentation slows down (when bubbles in the airlock are infrequent), it’s time to rack your mead. This means transferring the liquid to a secondary fermentation vessel, leaving behind any sediment (known as "lees"). Use a siphon tube to carefully move the mead into a clean carboy or jug.

At this point, you can also choose to add additional flavors such as fruits, spices, or herbs to customize your mead.


Step 6: Age the Mead

Mead improves with age, so after racking, let your mead sit in a cool, dark place for at least 3-6 months. During this time, the flavors will mellow, and the mead will become smoother. Some mead makers age their batches for a year or more to develop even richer flavors.


Step 7: Bottle and Enjoy

Once your mead has aged to your liking, it’s time to bottle. Use sanitized bottles and a siphon to transfer the mead. Seal the bottles tightly and store them in a cool place. Your homemade mead is now ready to enjoy!


Why Use Bulk Raw Honey from ENC Honey?

Using high-quality honey is crucial to making great-tasting mead. Bulk raw honey from ENC Honey is packed with nutrients and enzymes that contribute to a better fermentation process and richer flavors. Buying in bulk ensures you have enough for multiple batches and offers a cost-effective option for serious brewers. Plus, raw honey provides a more authentic and complex taste compared to processed alternatives.



Making mead at home is a fun and creative process, and the result is a delicious beverage you can enjoy or share with friends. With bulk raw honey from ENC Honey, you're guaranteed a premium ingredient that will elevate your brew. Ready to start your mead-making journey?



Check out our 5-gallon honey buckets available for local pickup!




Oct 30, 2024

3 min read

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8

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