Hollis’s Brew Log

Making many meads in Meridian, and writing it down

Batch #005: (untitled bochet)

Batch Size
5 gal
Starting Gravity
1.076

Still working on a cool name for this one!

My first attempt at a bochet, aiming for a flavor profile I landed on by accident while making some arepas, and also an experiment with toasting honey using an immersion circulator.

Most Recent Update

Pitched yeast

  • 11.5g Fermentis SafAle US-05 ale yeast
  • 1¼ tsp LD Carlson Yeast Energizer (DAP)
  • 3 tsp LD Carlson Yeast Nutrient

Measured the initial gravity at 1.076 (potential ABV of ~10%).

I noticed that even before picthing the yeast, the must already smelled like a dark beer.

Full Log

Toasted honey

  • 10 lbs bulk clover honey

Measured 2 lbs of honey into each of 5 mason jars, leaving a generous headroom in each and lids just loose enough to allow air to escape. Held those jars in a 200ºF water bath for 20 hours.

A demonstration of the color change. Top left: the untoasted honey, bottom right: the toasted honey
A demonstration of the color change. Top left: the untoasted honey, bottom right: the toasted honey

I was happy enough with the change in the honey—it developed some nice toasty and almost molasses-y notes—that I’d like to do a side-by-side comparison between sous vide honey and directly heated honey. The former is definitely easier and safer, but the latter is much faster and probably produces a deeper flavor.

Mixed must

  • 4 gal bottled spring water
  • 5 campden tablets

Mixed the now-toasted honey with water and sanitized the must with campden tablets.

Pitched yeast

  • 11.5g Fermentis SafAle US-05 ale yeast
  • 1¼ tsp LD Carlson Yeast Energizer (DAP)
  • 3 tsp LD Carlson Yeast Nutrient

Measured the initial gravity at 1.076 (potential ABV of ~10%).

I noticed that even before picthing the yeast, the must already smelled like a dark beer.