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Best Yeast For Sweet Mead (2024 Updated)

If you’re looking for a way to sweeten up your mead without adding more honey, then you might want to consider using yeast for sweet mead. This type of yeast can help produce a sweeter flavor in your mead without compromising on the overall taste. But before you rush out to buy any yeast for sweet mead, there are a few factors you need to consider.

First and foremost, it’s important to consider the type of mead you’re making. Different yeasts work differently depending on the recipe and style of mead. You should also consider the alcohol content you’re aiming for and how much sweetness you want to add. Additionally, you should be mindful of any possible allergic reactions you may have to certain yeasts.

If all of this is starting to sound a bit overwhelming, don’t worry. It’s perfectly normal to have questions about yeast for sweet mead. For example, what are the different types of yeast available? Are they easy to use? How long does it take for the mead to ferment? Do I need any special equipment? By asking these questions and doing a bit of research, you’ll be well on your way to making the perfect sweet mead.

10 Best Yeast For Sweet Mead

# Product Image Product Name Product Notes Check Price
1
The product is ideal for activating yeast in brewing or fermenting processes.
2
This product is ideal for producing sweet wine or mead with a blush color.
3
The product is ideal for fermenting mead, a honey-based alcoholic beverage, due to its specific yeast strain.
4
The product is ideal for making wine, cider, mead, and kombucha at home.
5
The product is ideal for improving fermentation and flavor in homemade wine, beer, mead, and other fermented beverages.
6
This alcohol ingredient kit is ideal for making a large amount of high-percentage alcohol base for spirits at home.
7
This product is ideal for making your own mead at home with a reusable kit that yields 1 gallon.
8
This product is ideal for making homemade wine, cider, mead, and kombucha. It is a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast.
9
The product is ideal for wine, beer, mead, and kombucha making, as a mixing and degassing tool.
10
Ideal for testing the alcohol content, sugar content, and density of home brews, wine, beer, mead, cider, and kombucha.
The product is ideal for activating yeast in brewing or fermenting processes.
This product is ideal for producing sweet wine or mead with a blush color.
The product is ideal for fermenting mead, a honey-based alcoholic beverage, due to its specific yeast strain.
The product is ideal for making wine, cider, mead, and kombucha at home.
The product is ideal for improving fermentation and flavor in homemade wine, beer, mead, and other fermented beverages.
This alcohol ingredient kit is ideal for making a large amount of high-percentage alcohol base for spirits at home.
This product is ideal for making your own mead at home with a reusable kit that yields 1 gallon.
This product is ideal for making homemade wine, cider, mead, and kombucha. It is a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast.
The product is ideal for wine, beer, mead, and kombucha making, as a mixing and degassing tool.
Ideal for testing the alcohol content, sugar content, and density of home brews, wine, beer, mead, cider, and kombucha.

1. Sweet Mead Activator Wyeast Act4184- 4.25 Oz.

This yeast strain has a medium level of flocculation, which means it will settle to the bottom of the fermenter at a moderate rate. It has a high ABV tolerance, able to ferment up to 11% alcohol. The recommended temperature range for this strain is between 65-75F. It leaves behind a residual sugar content of 2-3%, which can provide a slight sweetness to the finished product.

Pros

  • High ABV tolerance
  • Moderate flocculation rate
  • Leaves residual sugar for added sweetness

2. Wlp720 White Labs Blush Wine/sweet Mead Liquid Yeast

This yeast strain boasts a low flocculation rate and an attenuation rate of less than 75%. It is recommended to ferment at an optimum temperature range of 70-75°F (21-24°C) to achieve the best results. With an impressive alcohol tolerance of up to 15%, this strain is perfect for producing high ABV beers and other alcoholic beverages.

Pros

  • Low flocculation rate
  • High alcohol tolerance
  • Suitable for producing high ABV beers

3. 3x Mangrove Jack’s Craft Series Mead Yeast M05 (10g)

For those who enjoy making their own mead and country wines, this 3x 10g packet of brewing yeast is an excellent choice. Each packet is capable of treating 23L / 5 gallons of liquid, providing consistent, high-quality results every time. The yeast is designed to work within a temperature range of 15-30 degrees C (59-86 degrees F), making it versatile and easy to use. Additionally, this yeast offers superior shelf stability, ensuring that it remains fresh and effective for longer periods of time. Whether you're a seasoned brewer or just starting out, this brewing yeast is an excellent choice for creating delicious, flavorful mead and country wines.

When it comes to brewing yeast, consistency is key. With this product, you can rest assured that you'll get the same great results with each and every batch. The yeast is specially formulated to work within a specific temperature range, which helps to ensure that your brews turn out just right every time. Additionally, this yeast is incredibly easy to use – simply add it to your mixture and let it work its magic.

One of the best things about this brewing yeast is its shelf stability. Unlike some other yeasts, which can lose their effectiveness over time, this product remains fresh and potent for longer periods of time. This means that you can stock up on yeast without worrying about it going bad before you have a chance to use it. Overall, this is an excellent choice for anyone who is serious about making high-quality mead and country wines.

Pros

  • Consistent, high-quality results
  • Designed to work within a specific temperature range
  • Easy to use
  • Superior shelf stability

4. Cider & Wine Yeast For At-Home Brewing.

Lalvin D47 wine yeast is a must-have for wine enthusiasts who want to produce complex white and rosé wines with citrus and floral notes. The pack comes with 10 sachets, each containing 5g of yeast, which is enough to inoculate 4.5L-23L of wine. Besides, it is also useful for mead and fruit cider fermentations.

This wine yeast has an alcohol tolerance of up to 15% and a fermentation range of 10-30°C (50-86°F). It pairs well with grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier.

The Lalvin D47 yeast strain is a French isolate from the Côtes-du-Rhône area, which was created by the ICV to produce full-bodied, barrel-fermented Chardonnay and other white varietal grapes. During fermentation, it releases polysaccharides into the must, which contributes to a round, soft palate with good weight. It can also help stabilize aromatic compounds, making it highly recommended to produce premium, barrel-fermented Chardonnay. Additionally, this strain is compatible with malolactic-bacteria.

Pros

  • Comes with 10 sachets of 5g yeast, which is enough to inoculate 4.5L-23L of wine
  • Pairs well with various grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier
  • Has an alcohol tolerance of up to 15%
  • Contributes to a round, soft palate with good weight due to the release of polysaccharides into the must during fermentation
  • Helps stabilize aromatic compounds, making it highly recommended to produce premium, barrel-fermented Chardonnay
  • Compatible with malolactic-bacteria

5. North Mountain Supply Food Grade Yeast Nutrient – 3.5 Ounce Jar

The North Mountain Supply Food Grade Yeast Nutrient is a must-have for any homebrewer. This 3.5-ounce jar comes packaged in a plastic container with a tamper-evident airtight seal, ensuring that the product stays fresh and of high quality. The nutrient is a blend of diammonium phosphate and food-grade urea, which provides the yeast with nourishment to maintain its health during the fermentation process. Adding just one teaspoon per gallon is recommended for wine, beer, mead, and cider, making it a versatile addition to any brewing process.

This yeast nutrient is food-grade and safe for consumption, ensuring that your brews are of the best quality possible. Its high-quality ingredients make it a reliable choice for brewers who want to ensure that their yeast stays healthy throughout the fermentation process. The North Mountain Supply Food Grade Yeast Nutrient is a cost-effective solution for brewers who want to improve their brews' quality without breaking the bank.

Overall, the North Mountain Supply Food Grade Yeast Nutrient is an essential ingredient for brewers looking to improve the quality of their brews. Its safe, food-grade ingredients and airtight packaging ensure that your yeast stays healthy, resulting in high-quality, delicious brews.

Pros

  • Packaged in a tamper-evident airtight seal to ensure quality and freshness
  • Food-grade and safe for consumption
  • Cost-effective solution to improve the quality of brews
  • Provides nourishment to yeast for a healthy fermentation process
  • Versatile addition to wine, beer, mead, and cider brewing processes

6. Abc Cork Turbo Yeast | Alcohol Ingredient Kit | Makes 25l Of 23% Alcohol Base For Spirits

The Turbo Yeast Pack is an ideal kit for those who want to create 23% abv alcohol base at home. With this kit, you can make up to 25 liters of high quality alcohol base. The kit includes yeast, carbon, clearing agents, and complete instructions, making it easy for you to brew your own spirits at home. The Pure Brewers Extreme Alcobase guarantees an outstanding outcome in just 7 days. This alcohol home brew kit is perfect for creating delicious spirits with ease. ABC Kits offers a wide range of at-home brew kits, including beer and cider kits for you to explore and enjoy.

Pros

  • Can produce up to 25 liters of high quality alcohol base
  • Comes with yeast, carbon, clearing agents, and complete instructions
  • Easy to use and guarantees an outstanding outcome in just 7 days
  • Ideal for creating delicious spirits at home
  • ABC Kits offers a wide range of at-home brew kits to explore

7. Craft A Brew – Mead Making Kit – Reusable Make Your Own Mead Kit – Yields 1 Gallon Of Mead

BREW YOUR OWN – Craft a Brew kit allows mead lovers to become mead brewers by providing them with an independent, fun, and knowledge-rich brewing experience. The kit helps beginners and hobbyists alike to learn about the art of brewing with the Craft a Brew Guide to Making Your Own Mead.

HONEY WINE – Mead, which predates wine or beer, is the original fermented beverage. Making mead is a simple process that involves combining honey, water, and yeast. This kit allows you to enjoy mead the way ancient Romans and Vikings did, out of a goblet or a horn, as it is considered to be the "nectar of the gods."

HOME BREWING STARTER SETS – This mead starter kit is designed to cater to the needs of first-timers and hobbyists to ensure they get the most out of their craft brew experience. It comes with everything you need to craft your own honey wine in just four weeks.

WHAT'S INCLUDED – This kit contains everything you need to make your own mead except for honey. The contents include a 1-gallon Glass Carboy, Airlock, Rubber Stopper, Racking Cane & Tip, Transfer Tubing & Tip, Funnel, Yeast, Yeast Nutrients, Sanitizer, and Mead Making Guide.

CRAFT A BREW KIT QUALITY – Each kit is assembled in Orlando, FL, by hand, and is made with high-quality ingredients, elegant and effective design, and an environmentally sustainable mindset. Enjoy the art of mead brewing with the Craft a Brew kit.

Pros

  • Easy to use for beginners
  • High-quality ingredients
  • Sustainable and eco-friendly
  • Designed to cater to the needs of both hobbyists and first-timers
  • Comes with a Mead Making Guide

8. Champagne Pro Homebrew Kit

The Lalvin EC-1118 wine yeast is a pack of 10 sachets, each containing 5 grams of yeast. This yeast is perfect for a wide range of applications including wine and fruit cider fermentations. It is also useful for making sparkling wine base and Prise de Mousse. Lalvin EC1118 has been selected in a famous sparkling wine region for its excellent properties in producing sparkling base wine as well as “in-bottle” secondary fermentation.

One sachet of Lalvin EC-1118 can make 4.5L-23L of wine, the inoculation rate is 5g sachet. It has an alcohol tolerance of up to 18% and a fermentation range of 10-30°C (50-86°F). This yeast brings fresh floral aromas to neutral varieties or high-yield grapes. Lalvin EC1118 is also known for its robust and reliable fermentation kinetics, making it a popular choice for both white and red wines.

Pros

  • Useful for a wide range of applications
  • Can make 4.5L-23L of wine with just one sachet
  • Has an alcohol tolerance of up to 18%
  • Brings fresh floral aromas to neutral varieties or high-yield grapes
  • Known for its robust and reliable fermentation kinetics

9. Sparklewand: Ultimate Wine Degasser

The Stainless Steel Carboy Mixer is an essential tool for wine, beer, and mead makers. It saves arms from the strain of stirring, degassing, or decarbonating large volumes of liquids. The rod-shaped tip allows for seamless attachment to any standard 3/8” drill (DRILL NOT INCLUDED). This mixer has a universal 17.5” rod size that fits into any size carboy (1 gal, 3 gal, 5 gal, 6 gal, etc.). Made of food-grade stainless steel 316, it is safe for use with food and drink and eliminates plastic shavings and residue after throttling and mixing. The paddles fold in when inserting and extend when the rod is rotated, allowing for easy insertion into the carboy.

The Stainless Steel Carboy Mixer is perfect for those who make large batches of wine, beer, mead or other liquids. It makes the stirring, degassing, or decarbonating process much easier, and saves your arms from the strain of doing it manually. The rod-shaped tip allows for easy attachment to any standard 3/8” drill (DRILL NOT INCLUDED), and the universal 17.5” rod size makes it compatible with any size carboy. Made of food-grade stainless steel 316, it is safe for use with food and drink and eliminates plastic shavings and residue after throttling and mixing. The paddles fold in for easy insertion into the carboy and extend when the rod is rotated, making it easier to use than other mixers on the market.

The Stainless Steel Carboy Mixer is the perfect tool for anyone who makes large batches of wine, beer, mead, or other liquids. It saves arms from the strain of stirring, degassing, or decarbonating large volumes of liquids. The rod-shaped tip allows for seamless attachment to any standard 3/8” drill (DRILL NOT INCLUDED). The universal 17.5” rod size makes it compatible with any size carboy (1 gal, 3 gal, 5 gal, 6 gal, etc.). Made of food-grade stainless steel 316, it is safe for use with food and drink and eliminates plastic shavings and residue after throttling and mixing. The paddles fold in when inserting and extend when the rod is rotated, making it easy to insert into the carboy. Overall, the Stainless Steel Carboy Mixer is a must-have tool for any wine, beer, or mead maker who wants to save time and reduce arm strain.

Pros

  • Made of food-grade stainless steel 316 for safe use with food and drink
  • Universal 17.5” rod size that fits into any size carboy
  • Eliminates plastic shavings and residue after throttling and mixing
  • Paddles fold in when inserting and extend when the rod is rotated, making it easy to insert into the carboy
  • Saves arms from the strain of stirring, degassing, or decarbonating large volumes of liquids
  • Compatible with any standard 3/8” drill (DRILL NOT INCLUDED)

10. Brew Master's Abv Testing Kit.

This set is a must-have for any homebrewer as it contains everything you need to measure the vital information of your brew. It includes two triple scale hydrometers, a 250ml test jar, a hard-cover protective case, and a nylon cylinder brush.

The well-made hydrometer has graduated color bands, making it easy to read and calculate alcohol % (ABV). It is highly precise and measures specific gravity from 0.99-1.17, brix/balling from 0-35, and potential alcohol by volume from 0%-20%.

This set is safe and accurate, allowing you to measure the essential information of your homebrew quickly and efficiently. With this set of tools, you can make different kinds of wine right at home.

This product comes with a 100% money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied with the product, you can return it for a full refund. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the seller.

Pros

  • Comes with everything needed to measure the vital information of your brew.
  • Easy to read and highly precise.
  • Safe and accurate to use.
  • Allows you to make different kinds of wine right at home.
  • Comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.

Best Yeast For Sweet Mead FAQs

Are there any specific nutrients or additives that should be used when fermenting sweet mead with yeast?

Yes, there are specific nutrients and additives that should be used when fermenting sweet mead with yeast. One of the most important nutrients is nitrogen, which is essential for yeast growth and fermentation. Yeast also require other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids for optimal fermentation.

To ensure that the yeast have enough nutrients, it is important to use a yeast nutrient or yeast energizer during the fermentation process. These products contain a blend of essential nutrients that help to promote healthy yeast growth and fermentation.

In addition to nutrients, there are also additives that can be used to enhance the flavor and aroma of sweet mead. For example, fruit extracts, spices, and herbs can be added to the mead during fermentation to impart unique flavors and aromas.

Overall, the use of specific nutrients and additives can play a crucial role in the successful fermentation of sweet mead with yeast. It is important to carefully follow the instructions for any products used and to monitor the fermentation process closely to ensure the desired results are achieved.

Can you use baker's yeast for sweet mead?

Baker's yeast is a common type of yeast used in baking and is readily available in most grocery stores. Though it is not the ideal yeast for making sweet mead, it is possible to use it.

However, when using baker's yeast, it's important to keep in mind that it is a fast-acting yeast and may produce a strong alcohol flavor. This can overpower the sweetness of the mead and make it taste more like a dry wine.

To create a sweet mead using baker's yeast, it's recommended to use a higher amount of honey to balance out the strong alcohol flavor. It's also important to monitor the fermentation process closely and stop it early to prevent the yeast from consuming all of the sugar in the honey, which would result in a dry mead.

Overall, while it is possible to use baker's yeast for sweet mead, it may not produce the desired flavor profile. It is recommended to use a specialized yeast for making mead, such as champagne yeast or wine yeast, to ensure a sweeter and more balanced flavor.

How long does it typically take for yeast to fully ferment sweet mead?

The time it takes for yeast to fully ferment sweet mead can vary depending on several factors. The yeast strain used, the amount of honey used, and the temperature at which the mead is fermented all play a role in the fermentation process. Typically, it takes about 2-4 weeks for the yeast to consume all the sugars in the honey and complete the fermentation process. However, some mead makers may choose to let their mead ferment for longer periods, up to several months, to allow for additional flavor development and clarification. It's important to monitor the fermentation process carefully, as the yeast can sometimes become sluggish or stop fermenting altogether if the conditions are not optimal. By keeping a close eye on the fermentation process and taking appropriate steps to maintain ideal conditions, mead makers can ensure that their sweet mead reaches its full potential.

What is the ideal temperature range for yeast when fermenting sweet mead?

The ideal temperature range for yeast when fermenting sweet mead is between 60-75°F (15-24°C). Yeast is a very important factor in the fermentation process of mead, and its activity is greatly affected by temperature. If the temperature is too low, the yeast will become dormant and fermentation will slow down or stop altogether. On the other hand, if the temperature is too high, the yeast will become stressed and produce off-flavors in the mead.

It is important to note that different strains of yeast have different temperature ranges, so it is important to choose the right strain for the desired outcome. If you are unsure about the ideal temperature range for the yeast strain you are using, consult the manufacturer's instructions or do some research before beginning the fermentation process. It is also a good idea to monitor the temperature during the fermentation process to ensure that it stays within the ideal range.

What type of yeast is best for making sweet mead?

The best type of yeast for making sweet mead is a strain of yeast that can tolerate high levels of alcohol and produce a low amount of carbon dioxide. This helps to ensure that the yeast does not consume all of the available sugar, leaving a residual sweetness in the finished mead.

One popular yeast strain for making sweet mead is Lalvin D-47. This yeast is known for its ability to ferment at cooler temperatures and produce a fruity and floral aroma. It also has a high tolerance for alcohol, up to 14%, which makes it ideal for making sweeter meads.

Another option is EC-1118, which has a high alcohol tolerance of up to 18% and produces a clean, neutral flavor. However, it is important to note that this yeast strain can consume all of the available sugar, so it may not be the best choice for those looking to make a sweet mead.

Ultimately, the type of yeast used for making sweet mead will depend on personal preference and the desired flavor profile of the finished product. It is recommended to experiment with different strains to find the one that works best for your specific recipe.

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