"Chris" <rrufiange@cfl.rr.com> wrote in message
news:EzlCb.7291$Dt6.239958@twister.tampabay.rr.com...[color=blue]
> Ever since my first bottle I've been hooked!
>
> However, after experimenting with various recipes, I've gotten to wonder[/color]
how[color=blue]
> mead was brewed in the old days (old days meaning Viking Age).
>
> Anyone have a recipe which doesn't involve materials or ingredients
> unfamiliar to the period? Looking for something I can make the same exact
> way the Norsemen did, if possible.
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Chris
>
>[/color]

I would imagine that they used strictly honey, water and whatever wild yeast
that "infected" the batch. If you don't want to use a mead or wine yeast,
you could toss in some raisins (i.e., a handful) or other dried fruit to add
wild yeast. I'd try this with a small (1-2 gallon) batch using 2 to 2.5
pounds of honey per gallon, just in case the wild yeast have off-flavors.
Since honey has no nutrients, and you don't want to add any, the
fermentation will likely be slow, so be patient.