Tilt Hydrometer

Viking Blood is the mead that started it all. Years ago, our original Viking Blood recipe helped put City Steading Brews on the map. So today, we’re paying homage to that legendary batch — but with everything we’ve learned since then. More precision. More fruit. More experimentation. And maybe… too much confidence? This upgraded Viking Blood starts as a traditional mead. And what happened next? Let’s just say this did NOT finish the way we expected… Did it stay sweet? Did it fortify? Did it ferment dry? Is it still technically mead? You’ll have to watch to find out. _____________________________________ Tools We Used (We use the Amazon Affiliate Program for these links and we DO receive a small commission if you purchase using our links and all this comes at no additional cost to you!) 1.5 gallon glass fermenter: https://amzn.to/47LOkdX Our Favorite Pitcher: https://amzn.to/4dFWNzh Spaddle: https://amzn.to/4bM43IQ Hydrometer & Graduated Cylinder: https://amzn.to/4ow8gXz Auto siphon: https://amzn.to/4cz8VRr Rumble Jar: https://amzn.to/4owOwCH Star San sanitizer: https://amzn.to/3SXFoKg Tilt Hydrometer: https://amzn.to/3OG0JIO _____________________________________ 🍯 Ingredients (US & Metric) Primary Fermentation *3 lb (1.36 kg) wildflower honey *96 fl oz (2.84 L) warm water (to make ~1 gallon total volume) *½ packet Red Star Premier Classique yeast: https://amzn.to/4c2geRG Starting Gravity: ~1.106 Secondary Additions *6 lb (2.72 kg) frozen dark sweet cherries (pitted) *1 tsp pectic enzyme (post-fermentation addition): https://amzn.to/4bIme21 *1 large cinnamon stick (broken into pieces) *750 ml cherry liqueur (15% ABV, we used Dr. McGillicuddy's Cherry Liqueur) _____________________________________ 🍷 Final Stats (Approximate) Final Gravity: 1.000 Estimated ABV: ~14% Profile: Dry, dark red wine-like, subtle cherry, light cinnamon spice Not the sweet cherry mead we expected — but possibly better. _____________________________________ Related Videos: Our Original Viking Blood Recipe: https://youtu.be/8GB5KT1_OxI?si=1fGHV1Vq35tPm7vx It's a Yeast's Life: https://youtu.be/7SexLelVQwY?si=9QH30sD_JUmin0C- Tasting Dr. McGillicuddy's Cherry Liqueur: https://youtu.be/scXwnEHmSlc?si=A0KNLVivMoEKuE0W Fortifying: https://youtu.be/ERX7scF37Uo?si=8Ni6wWNjjEE8b3oR _____________________________________ 💬 Let’s Talk Would you have back sweetened this? Left it dry? Skipped the liqueur? Drop your thoughts below 👇 _____________________________________ Become a City Steading VIP - Click to learn more http://www.city-steading.com/vip-club _____________________________________ Want more City Steading? Website: http://www.city-steading.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/citysteading #VikingBlood #MeadMaking #CherryMead #Homebrewing #HoneyWine #DIYMead #CitySteadingBrews