• PATRONS: Did you know we've a chat function for you now? Look to the bottom of the screen, you can chat, set up rooms, talk to each other individually or in groups! Click 'Chat' at the right side of the chat window to open the chat up.
  • Love Gotmead and want to see it grow? Then consider supporting the site and becoming a Patron! If you're logged in, click on your username to the right of the menu to see how as little as $30/year can get you access to the patron areas and the patron Facebook group and to support Gotmead!
  • We now have a Patron-exclusive Facebook group! Patrons my join at The Gotmead Patron Group. You MUST answer the questions, providing your Patron membership, when you request to join so I can verify your Patron membership. If the questions aren't answered, the request will be turned down.

Traditional smells of vinegar but tastes OK

Barrel Char Wood Products

Mikeymu

NewBee
Registered Member
Aug 6, 2012
168
0
0
Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire
Recipe for 1 gallon (imperial)

4.6 lbs clover honey
zest of 1 lemon
1.5 teaspoons nutirent
K1-V1116
Water to one gallon

Original Gravity 1.115

Aereated up to 1/3 sugar break and nutrient added in stages up to same point.

Small amounts of acid-reducing solution added to adjust ph to 3.7

went to 14.8% abv before it stopped and after stabilisation and clearing was back-sweetened to 1.004 and 13.5%


Tastes fine after 9 months (still in carboy) and nicely clear but has a vinegar smell.

a) any ideas what can could have gone wrong?

b) is there anything I can do e.g. add spices?


Thanks, M.
 

fatbloke

good egg/snappy dresser.....
GotMead Patron
You can get vinegary sort of smells for many reasons (acidity can do that). If it tastes ok I'd just drink it.

It's possible that you could have got a bit of infection, but if you read up about vinegar making, you need lower alcohol and I believe it needs lots of oxygen for the bacteria to do the damage.

And if you added some spices, stronger ones might cover the vinegar notes but care would still be needed as it's vvv easy to use too much of a spice and render a batch undrinkable........
 

mannye

Administrator
Administrator
Moderator
Oct 10, 2012
4,167
25
38
57
Miami Beach, FL
Maybe run a little through a copper scrub pad and see if that helps?


Sent from my TARDIS at the restaurant at the end of the universe while eating Phil.
 
Barrel Char Wood Products

Viking Brew Vessels - Authentic Drinking Horns