{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/oak-aged-mead","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/oak-aged-mead.json","slug":"oak-aged-mead","name":"Oak-Aged Mead","summary":"A sophisticated traditional mead aged on American oak cubes for a wine-like complexity. Oak adds vanilla, caramel, and tannin notes that transform a simple traditional into a complex, layered mead. Targets 14% ABV with a semi-sweet finish. 5-gallon batch.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of amber oak-aged mead beside American oak cubes and a honey jar","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"editorial","difficulty":"advanced","style":"Traditional Mead","tags":["mead","traditional","oak-aged","advanced","complex","five-gallon"],"targetBatchVolume":5,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":5.5,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":14,"originalGravity":1.106,"finalGravity":1.006,"sweetnessLevel":"semi-sweet","carbonationLevel":"still","ingredients":[{"id":"honey","name":"Wildflower honey","quantity":15,"unit":"lbs","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"water","name":"Filtered water","quantity":4.5,"unit":"gallons","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"oak-cubes","name":"Medium-toast American oak cubes","quantity":2,"unit":"oz","notes":"Add in secondary. Taste weekly — oak extraction varies by toast level and cube size.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"fermaid-o","name":"Fermaid-O","quantity":10,"unit":"g","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"fermaid-k","name":"Fermaid-K","quantity":5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"yeast":{"name":"Lalvin D47","brand":"Lalvin","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":"Enhances complexity; keep below 65°F."},"nutrientSchedule":[{"timing":"Day 0 (pitch)","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"24 hours","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"48 hours","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"1/3 sugar break","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"Day 0 (pitch)","nutrient":"Fermaid-K","quantity":5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"equipment":["6-gallon fermentation vessel","Secondary vessel","Airlock and stopper","Hydrometer","Thermometer","Sanitizer","Auto-siphon and tubing","Bottles or keg"],"process":[{"step":1,"title":"Sanitize all equipment","description":"Prepare no-rinse sanitizer. Sanitize all vessels and tools.","note":null},{"step":2,"title":"Build honey must","description":"Dissolve honey in 1 gallon of warm water. Cool. Add to fermenter with remaining water to 5.5 gallons.","note":null},{"step":3,"title":"Take OG reading","description":"Record original gravity. Target approximately 1.106.","note":null},{"step":4,"title":"Pitch yeast and nutrients","description":"Pitch D47. Add Day 0 nutrients. Ferment at 60–65°F.","note":"D47 must be kept below 65°F."},{"step":5,"title":"Staggered nutrient additions","description":"Follow TOSNA schedule. Degas before each addition.","note":null},{"step":6,"title":"Monitor fermentation","description":"Check gravity every few days. Fermentation typically completes in 6–8 weeks.","note":null},{"step":7,"title":"Rack to secondary","description":"Rack off lees.","note":null},{"step":8,"title":"Add oak cubes","description":"Add medium-toast American oak cubes. Taste weekly. Remove when desired oak character is achieved (typically 2–6 weeks).","note":null},{"step":9,"title":"Remove oak and condition","description":"Remove oak cubes. Condition for 6–12 months.","note":null},{"step":10,"title":"Package","description":"Bottle or keg.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"60–65°F (15–18°C)","fermentationTimeline":"6–8 weeks","conditioningTimeline":"6–12 months","packagingInstructions":"Ensure fermentation is fully complete before packaging. Extended aging is strongly recommended.","safetyNotes":["Never bottle a mead that has not fully finished fermenting.","D47 yeast must be kept below 65°F during fermentation.","Sanitize all equipment that contacts the must or finished mead."],"scalingNotes":"Honey and water scale linearly. Oak addition does NOT scale linearly — adjust to taste. Nutrient additions do NOT scale linearly.","version":"1.0.0","changeHistory":[{"version":"1.0.0","date":"2026-09-13","summary":"Initial record. Phase 4C Batch 10.","changedBy":"Modern Mazer"}],"relatedRecipes":["traditional-mead-v1","buckwheat-mead"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 Nutrient Calculator","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}