Question before racking, or smack me before it's too late, adding juice or no.

Stilgar · #21 05-31-2012, 06:00 PM

Great help! Awesome. So 1.020 should be finished doing what it's doing, should be fine once it hits and get it transferred to add the apple juice to top off I take it?

TAKeyser · #22 05-31-2012, 06:08 PM

It's possible that it can go a little lower, yeast doesn't always follow what the manufacturer puts on a website or label

But yeah you should be safe to rack when you get around 1.120 give or take a couple points. Adding the apple juice will dilute your must a little which might get you a little more fermentation so be aware that it might happen and that it isn't unusual.

AToE · #23 06-19-2012, 11:39 PM

I'm alive, and hurray for Dune fans!

Stilgar · #24 06-23-2012, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AToE

I'm alive, and hurray for Dune fans!

Indeed Sir, indeed. And kudos on being alive and well.

Stilgar · #25 07-18-2012, 01:29 AM

You know it's gonna be fun when you say aloud to yourself 'Well that's interesting'. But couldn't help it when I checked in on my mead.

I moved it over and added the apple juice as discussed to top off. Seemed rather fine, nice and clear. That was about 2 almost 3 weeks ago and when checking it today I noticed it had what looks to be a very small mold spore(possibly) floating atop it. When I first began making this I thought what I saw were mold spores but turned out it was the yeast being yeast so it was fine. But this definitely has me concerned. Will try to attach a photo to give a better look but it definitely to me looks like possible mold as it's green in color, under the surface it looks like 3 or so green bubbles and seems to have a small trail dragging from it. That however was only part of the 'Well that's interesting' moment...

the second one was when I took a look at the airlock. The bobber in the middle has suctioned itself down and taken some of the liquid within the airlock with it. When I removed the airlock it of course spat out what it had collected. Never had that happen to me with an airlock so not sure what that's about.

So yeah, any suggestions? rituals? Suggested readings for the funeral? If it turns out I can't save it I won't be terribly upset as it was a test run and literally the cost set me back maybe $25 and that's being generous. Thanks again in advance.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/545/img9385v.jpg/

Kelvin · #26 07-18-2012, 02:33 AM

Your older brother sneaked in and put a booger in it.... no worries I have an older brother too... 37 years and he never stops putting boogers on me... or in your case your mead. : P

Stilgar · #27 07-18-2012, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelvin

Your older brother sneaked in and put a booger in it.... no worries I have an older brother too... 37 years and he never stops putting boogers on me... or in your case your mead. : P

That crafty nerf herder! All these years and I thought I only had a little sister he's hidden from me all these 32 years! Well now I know to sleep with my mead and pay the cat extra to watch over things at night. True the dog is something to beware but that cat is shady as hell. Well least that explains things nicely

Kelvin · #28 07-18-2012, 06:38 AM

I dunno, I think I might prefer kittie boogers over by bro's.... that bastage : )
Consider yourself lucky. But as far as your problem goes I dunno, man, I'm a newb too. Hopefully someone can give you an idea. I know I'd be freaked out too just because I'm a newb and that's how i am.

Chevette Girl · #29 07-18-2012, 10:07 AM

If it's got little trailing ickies, that might actually be an infection... If it were in my brew I'd probably try sucking it up carefully with a racking hose or something and then I'd stabilize the mead, presuming it's finished fermenting...

When the temperature or air pressure drops, that can cause your airlock to run backwards as atmospheric air tries to get into the fermenter. You have to be careful not to overfill your airlock or else you can end up with that kind of backwashing... also why a lot of us use either vodka or sulphite solution in our airlocks.

Stilgar · #30 07-18-2012, 01:30 PM

Vodka in the airlock I've tried and seemed a better candidate for help but I'd never tried the sulphite solution will give that a go, thank you!

I moved it over this morning leaving the ick behind, dropped campden tablet etc. Shall keep an eye on it and see what happens hoping for the best.

Meanwhile the cat will stay on guard.

Stilgar · #31 07-23-2012, 01:24 AM

Well the party just won't stop now lol, cleared the fungus amungus and now mead has gone from clear and see thru to cloudy and what looks to be either renewed ferm, or possibly gas. No idea as of yet but definitely has it's own party goin inside suddenly.

Vance G · #32 07-25-2012, 10:07 PM

Did you stabilize this? I would kill it dead right now but I am only an egg.

Chevette Girl · #33 08-04-2012, 09:33 PM

Trust your nose, if it smells OK it's probably fine, if it smells weird (well, weirder than a normal ferment), I'd hit it with sulphites...

Stilgar · #34 01-29-2013, 02:54 PM

Update (sorry I though I had posted one a while ago) I kept a close eye on this and I did stabilize ASAP, I left it alone, transferred and it is happily bulk aging still. No bad things popped up anywhere and the bitter-sourness has since moved on to greener pastures or was buried in a dumpster who knows.

It's slowly mellowing out and someone much braver than I (bless her heart) tried a sample and gave her approval. Shall leave it be a bit longer then move to bottling after a final taste to make sure it IS infact still fine, though I know it pretty much is.

Looking back, shall be doing another bochet but much MUCH differently with better honey and yeast. But mostly with a better piece of mind.