RE: Ancient Orange Mead Recipe
Honestly, I don't think you're going to let it age much at first. You're going to want to drink it. haha Mine sit for three months, and then they magically disappear soon after between myself, the people in my family who drink it, and the bartering I do with the extra.
I like the glass bottles, but I worry about dropping them. Part of my process is picking the bottle up and shaking the crap out of it for a few minutes. That might be hard to do with a 6 gallon bucket??? The glass bottles are about 60 bucks for the big one.
Get the smaller 3 gallon ones though to start if you do decide on glass. That way they are far easier to shake up and carry to place in a dark area. I cannot prepare them in the same place as they are stored, so being able to carry them easily and safely is a big plus.
With the 6gal plastic buckets, if it's sealed well, I could take it for a spin on the trailer. That's how I mixed a lot of paint..lol link up the trailer to the tractor and cruse around the property for a few. It shakes me up, so I knew it would work well for that - it does. Shaking it by hand would be one heck of a workout!
I have seen those glass jugs around at many antique shops and consignment places - that's where I'm going to check.
Make sure you do not spend too much on an old bottle. The Italian glass new ones are cheap if you go to the store and don't pay shipping.