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Stinky Fermentation in Primary

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K

KrisB

Worker Bee
Registered Member
Jan 25, 2020
85
5
8
Really having trouble with my first batch of mead (all documented in my Mead Log forum thread). Here is the recipe and what's going on:

2.5 lbs Clary sage honey
1 gallon water
1 packet K1-V1116 yeast
1.5 tsp Fermaid K up to now

Today is the 5th day since I started the batch and ever since a couple days ago when a foam appeared (I'm told that's fermentation), the liquid has had a bad smell. I think it's a sulfur smell, but I'm not sure. Almost like a bad fruity smell. No matter what I do (aerate every day, added bread yeast yesterday), it still stinks. Also, there have been no bubbles in the air lock at all up to this point. The gravity had gone down from 15 Brix originally to 12 yesterday. I don't have a thermometer, but the temp in my house has been between 63 and 65 F the whole time.

Medsen Fey has been very kindly and patiently helping me, but I wanted to ask if anyone else had any suggestions on what to do. I'm worried I'm going to have to toss out the batch. Not the end of the world, I know, but I'd hate to start all over again not knowing what I did wrong and repeating the same mistakes.
 
Did you rehydrate the yeast? And if yes, at what temp? Also, at what must temperature did you pitch? I cannot answer, but people here will ask all this info and more.
 
You need to stir the shit out of it acouple times a day to try and get the smell out before it become stuck to the mead. And,you need to feed it more nutrients
 
No way to know what temp I pitched at, Skropi, unfortunately, since I don't have a thermometer. The water felt almost cool/lukewarm. Yes, I rehydrated the yeast.

How much and how often should I add the Fermaid K, Squatchy? I added 1 sp yesterday, started stirring it 2 times a day. The fruity smell is not so strong and the foam looked better this morning. Added another tsp Fermaid K and aerated. Will aerate again this evening.

I have no way to check the pH. And I broke my hydrometer yesterday. Can't check the gravity now. Ordered 2 hydrometers and a thermometer.
 
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