Michael Fairbrother, the founder of Moonlight Meadery joins me this week to discuss how to make Braggot which is a combination of beer and mead made from both honey and barley grain.
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Topics in This Week’s Episode (46:19)
- Today my guest is Michael Fairbrother, the founder and CEO of Moonlight Meadery. Michael is also a nationally award winning mead maker and has brewed some of the finest Braggots I’ve ever tasted.
- We start with a discussion of what Braggot is and also a bit about the history of Braggot.
- Michael explains some of the interesting regulations surrounding Braggot which is in a bit of a no-mans land in many states due to differences in laws governing breweries and wineries.
- Michael talks about the two basic ways of creating braggot – fermenting the honey and barley togther versus blending a finished mead with a finished beer.
- We discuss which beer styles are best to use as a base for a Braggot, but also how experimenting can create some interesting results.
- Michael shares his process for brewing an award winning Braggot.
- We talk about the use of nutrients and oxygen during fermentation.
- Michael shares his thoughts on sulfites and sorbates used to arrest fermentation and stabilize the braggot.
- He explains the backsweetening process, though he does not use it much.
- We discuss filtering a mead or Braggot and what options you have at home.
- Michael talks about the historical use of spices and some spices you can try in your Braggot.
- He shares his final tips on Braggot.
- Michael shares some of the new things going on at Moonlight Meadery including both Braggots and Ciders.
Sponsors
- Thank you to our sponsor Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine for sponsoring this episode. I encourage you to subscribe to their great magazine!
- And also Anvil Brewing Equipment. Anvil is a new line of kettles, burners and accessories from John Blichmann at Blichmann Engineering. They make top quality brewing equipment built to last a lifetime.
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Thanks to Michael Fairbrother for appearing on the show and also to you for listening!
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