[Brewmeisters]

Well, The Brewmeisters have decided to make our first mead.

The big question is, what kind of honey to use, I didn't know there was that many choices!

I'm assuming the type will also give us different levels of sugars, which in turn will determine the amount of yeast.
Then, there's the yeast choices....

don't get me started on that beast!

We want to start with a simple mead, what is a good starter recipe?

[dmtaylor]

I get most of my honey in bulk from Sam's Club.  Never heard any complaints on my mead!

[pete b]

The type of honey determines aroma and flavor rather than sugar content and yeast selection. I recommend getting it from a local apiary. You might be able to buy just the amount you need. Good ol wildflower honey is great.
Don't fret about yeast. The easiest and best is dry yeast. Get lalvin d47 for a traditional mead or one with only light fruit added like apple or pear. For now use lalvin 71b for anything else. It's a very forgiving all purpose yeast.
As far as recipes go just use any simple recipe thinking about how strong you want it. More important is method: make sure you understand staggered nutrient additions.
Have fun!

[erockrph]

I'll second the choice of a local wildflower if you can get it in bulk at a decent price. Otherwise, a lighter honey like orange blossom, clover, berry blossom, etc. is a good base.

[Stevie]

What is considered a decent price? Locals around here are asking $80+ for 10lb jars.

[pete b]

I have a connection where I can usually get local wildflower honey for 60# at $150. That's a producer/seller giving it to me for roughly their cost. He is charging $205 to others.

[Steve Ruch]

What is considered a decent price? Locals around here are asking $80+ for 10lb jars.

$8 a pound? I just bought a 3 pound jar of local honey for $16 at Natural Grocers. 

[Stevie]

I was mistaken. $85/12lbs.  That’s one source. Haven’t looked too hard.

[Brewmeisters]

I've found honey on amazon in whatever amount you need, any type for cheaper, too.

[Steve Ruch]

I was mistaken. $85/12lbs.  That’s one source. Haven’t looked too hard.

Still $7 a pound; more than I'm willing to pay.

[jimmykx250]

Ive had good luck with these guys and shipping is reasonable. Good quality and good maple syrup too.
https://www.dutchgoldhoney.com/

[blatz]

local wildflower or orange blossom or tupelo. 

[Wilbur]

You might talk to the guy at Bootleg Hill Honey Meads. He's out of the Quad Cities, not sure how close you are to there. He was really nice when I talked to him, I think he was pretty clued in to the producers around there. Pretty good mead too. I think there was an AHA article from 2015, "Mead Experiment: Same Must, 12 Different Yeasts" that might help you pick a yeast.

http://bootleghill.com/

[Brewmeisters]

I'm about an hour away from the QC area, definitely going to chat with him.

[brwrsboo]

Has anyone used this honey for mead?

Available in 60 lb pails for bakeries, breweries and food manufacturers, Dutch Gold’s Buckwheat Honey was traditionally produce in New York State, but most recently, buckwheat has been planted in Montana and the Dakotas. From the tiny white blossoms on the buckwheat plant (the same plant that produces the grain to make buckwheat flour for pancakes) comes one of the most hearty and robust honeys in the U.S. Buckwheat Honey is very dark in color. It is typically compared with black strap molasses, and it possesses a musty, earthy aroma.