First off, I'm new here (been lurking around for a while though), so greeting ;D :wave:
I've just bottled my first batch of mead, and while there were some problems leading up to this point, it seemed I had made a decent first attempt.
I used:
13 pounds clover/alfalfa honey (locally produced)
3 pounds elderberries
The honey was mixed with the water and heated (not boiled), then, the same process was used for the berries. I don't remember the yeast brand. It came with my equipment, but I remember reading that it wasn't a low quality yeast(not very helpful, I know). Fermentation went smoothly.
As I was bottling (1 gallon jugs, as I wanted to go somewhere between bulk aging and small bottles), I set aside some for tasting. This was very alcoholic, with the elderberry acidity overpowering the honey a little. Not what I planned, but not bad either. My brother later wanted to taste some, so we opened the set aside bottle.... he was less impressed than I thought he'd be. Upon tasting it myself, I realized it's taste had drastically changed over just a few hours. Its much more watery...far less 'kick' and flavour. It still smells fine, and otherwise there is nothing I can see wrong with it.
Is this a common occurence, or did something go wrong? Keep in mind this hasn't aged at all.
I've just bottled my first batch of mead, and while there were some problems leading up to this point, it seemed I had made a decent first attempt.
I used:
13 pounds clover/alfalfa honey (locally produced)
3 pounds elderberries
The honey was mixed with the water and heated (not boiled), then, the same process was used for the berries. I don't remember the yeast brand. It came with my equipment, but I remember reading that it wasn't a low quality yeast(not very helpful, I know). Fermentation went smoothly.
As I was bottling (1 gallon jugs, as I wanted to go somewhere between bulk aging and small bottles), I set aside some for tasting. This was very alcoholic, with the elderberry acidity overpowering the honey a little. Not what I planned, but not bad either. My brother later wanted to taste some, so we opened the set aside bottle.... he was less impressed than I thought he'd be. Upon tasting it myself, I realized it's taste had drastically changed over just a few hours. Its much more watery...far less 'kick' and flavour. It still smells fine, and otherwise there is nothing I can see wrong with it.
Is this a common occurence, or did something go wrong? Keep in mind this hasn't aged at all.
