Test Mead Update: Mango Dragonfruit

We're back again with an update on everything that has been done with our Mango Dragonfruit session test mead, and let me tell you this one has been throwing us for a loop. When last we left off the mead had starte dits fermentation process, and we had started a low abv traditional hohney mead to serve as the base for the session mead. Since then it was pasteurized and we added a blend of mango, dragonfruit, and various other juices to give the mead its desired flavor profile. After sitting and aging for a couple months we opened it back up and took a taste, and unfortunately it didn't taste like much so we set about trying to increase both flavor and sweetness. To that end we added ~2 tbsp (30g) of Malic Acid and 1L of a blended cranberry and pineapple juice to increase sweetness, mouthfeel, and flavor.

The mead was then aged again for 45 days to allow the new ingredients to blend together and begin to build up its eventual flavor profile. Once more we opened it up and gave it a taste, and this time it did have a sweet but tart taste that resembled more of a fruit punch than mango and/or dragonfruit. Since the further dilution of this test mead would reduce the alcohol content to under 1% we are leaving it as is and bottling the Fruit Punch Session mead since it is quite tasty and enjoyable. We will continue to attempt to perfect what we originally set out to do and make a mango dragonfruit session mead, and now we at least know we need to have a more potent flavor source if we want those flavors to shine through, and we hope you will get to see that final product once we hammer out the process.

Although without further ado we can go over the visual and flavor profiles of our new session mead:

ABV: ~1-2%

Color: Rose/Pink

Clarity: Crystal

Flavor: Citrus, Pineapple forward, and a clean transformation into Cranberry with a fruity exhale

Aroma: Mango, Cranberry, Honey

Stay safe and remember to love one another!

~ The Forge Meadery