Mead, a delicious alcoholic beverage made from honey, has a long and rich history dating back centuries. Traditionally, mead is known for its higher alcohol content, often reaching double digits. However, in recent years, a new trend has emerged in the mead world – the rise of session meads.
Session mead refers to a mead that is lower in alcohol content, making it more suitable for a longer drinking session. This concept originated from British drinking habits, where a session typically involves consuming 6-8 pints of beer. In the case of session mead, the alcohol content is typically between 3-5%, providing a milder and more approachable drinking experience.
Compared to its sparkling counterpart, still mead, session meads have a lower alcohol content but are still relatively strong, usually around 6.5%. While this may seem lower than the average mead, it is important to note that honey is not an easy ingredient to ferment. It is not yeast's preferred food, and as a result, only a few commercially viable yeast strains can produce a well-balanced and flavorful mead.
Managing the fermentation process of session meads can be quite challenging. Specific temperature ranges and nutrient additions are required to ensure the yeast performs optimally. Despite the difficulties, the fermentation time for session meads is typically shorter, ranging from a week to ten days, due to their lower starting gravity.
The appeal of session meads lies in their lighter and more refreshing nature. They offer a perfect alternative for those who want to enjoy the unique flavors of mead without the higher alcohol content. With their lower ABV, session meads can be consumed in larger quantities, making them ideal for social gatherings, events, or simply a relaxing evening at home.
It is worth mentioning that session meads are not limited to a specific flavor profile. Just like their higher ABV counterparts, session meads can be made with various fruits, spices, or even aged in barrels to add complexity and depth to the final product. This versatility allows for a wide range of flavors and styles to cater to different preferences.
Session mead offers a lighter and more accessible option for mead enthusiasts. With a lower alcohol content and a shorter fermentation time, session meads provide a refreshing and enjoyable drinking experience. Whether you are new to mead or a seasoned connoisseur, exploring the world of session meads is definitely worth a try. Cheers!
What Is A Session Style Mead?
A session style mead refers to a type of mead that is consumed during a drinking session, similar to the British drinking habits. In this context, a session typically involves consuming 6-8 pints of a beverage. Unlike beer, which is considered sessionable when it has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 3-5%, a session style mead still maintains a relatively high ABV of around 6.5%.
To further clarify the concept, here are some key points about session style mead:
1. Origin: The term “session” originates from British drinking customs, where individuals engage in extended drinking sessions, often consuming multiple pints of beer.
2. ABV: While a session beer typically has a lower ABV to accommodate a longer drinking session, a session mead is still relatively strong compared to beer. It usually contains an ABV of approximately 6.5%.
3. Mead: Mead is an alcoholic beverage made from fermenting honey with water. It has a long history dating back centuries and is enjoyed by many for its unique flavors and sweetness.
4. Strength: Meads, in general, can vary widely in terms of ABV, ranging from low-alcohol meads to highly potent ones. A session style mead falls on the lower end of the ABV spectrum, making it suitable for a longer drinking session without becoming too intoxicating.
A session style mead is a type of mead that can be consumed during a drinking session, similar to the British tradition. Despite having a lower ABV compared to regular meads, it still maintains a relatively strong alcohol content of around 6.5%.
How Long Does It Take For Session Mead To Ferment?
The fermentation process for session mead typically takes around a week to ten days. This is relatively shorter compared to stronger meads, which may take several weeks or even months to ferment completely. The lower starting gravity of session meads allows for a quicker fermentation process.
During fermentation, yeast consumes the sugars in the mead and converts them into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The activity of the yeast is most vigorous during the initial stages of fermentation, where it rapidly consumes the available sugars. As the fermentation progresses, the yeast gradually slows down, and the production of alcohol and carbon dioxide decreases.
It is important to note that the exact duration of fermentation can vary depending on various factors such as yeast strain, fermentation temperature, and the specific recipe used. Some yeasts may ferment more quickly than others, and higher fermentation temperatures can also speed up the process. However, it is crucial to maintain a controlled and stable fermentation environment to ensure the best quality and flavor in the finished session mead.
To monitor the progress of fermentation, it is advisable to take regular gravity readings using a hydrometer or refractometer. This will allow you to track the decrease in gravity over time and determine when the fermentation is nearing completion. Once the gravity readings remain stable for a few consecutive days, it is a good indication that the fermentation is finished.
Session mead typically ferments for around a week to ten days due to its lower starting gravity. Monitoring the gravity readings and ensuring a controlled fermentation environment will help in determining when the fermentation is complete.
Conclusion
Session mead is a type of mead that originated from British drinking habits. It is characterized by a lower alcohol content, typically between 3-5% for beer and almost 6.5% for mead. Unlike still mead, session mead is sparkling and usually has an alcohol content of around 6%.
Producing session mead can be challenging due to the nature of fermenting honey. Honey is not the preferred food for yeast, and only a few commercially viable yeast strains are suitable for making a delicious-tasting mead. Even these yeasts require specific temperature ranges and nutrient additions to ensure a successful fermentation process.
Despite the difficulties in manufacturing session mead, it is a popular choice among drinkers who prefer a beverage with a lower alcohol content. The fermentation process for session mead is typically shorter, lasting around a week to ten days, compared to stronger meads.
Session mead offers a lighter and more approachable option for those who enjoy mead. Its lower alcohol content makes it suitable for longer drinking sessions, while still providing the unique flavors and characteristics that mead is known for.
