Hey guys,
This is my first batch of mead. I chose a Medium Sweet basic recipe from Schramm's book. Here's what I used:
[5 gallons]
6.4kg (14.10 lbs) Orange Blossom Honey
5 grams Fermax (this was all I could get for nutrients/energizer)
2 packets Lalvin 71B-1122 (10 grams)
Enough spring water to complete 5 gallons
O.G.: 1.096
First of all, I actually realized I could have used a bit more honey to have my mead Medium Sweet. But if it would turn out to be something between Dry-Medium Sweet it's fine by me.
One of my concerns is the lack of pure DAP as a nutrient. I'm aware Fermax contains only a small amount of DAP, but I really couldn't find any where I live. The best I could get is plain Fermax.
Procedures:
I've heated the must to sanitize without boiling. All equipments were nicely sanitized. Oxygenated the must stirring thoroughly for 5 minutes after pitching the yeast.
Primary Fermentation (started 8/25)
I used a fermentation bucket. As far as my Air Lock could tell, fermentation started up well. After 2 weks (9/08 ) bubbles slowed down to a point there was 1 each 38 seconds. This, combined with the fact 2 weeks had passed, made me think my mead was ready to be racked. I moved the bucket to a higher spot so I could rack but then realized the gap between bubbles had fallen from 38 to 15.5 seconds the other day. This raised some concerns but I just ignored it and racked anyway (9/12). I transferred the mead to a glass carboy. I measured gravity again and got 1.034. Since then, I've been wondering if I have racked my mead too soon.
Secondary Fermentation (started 9/12)
One week after secondary started I noticed the gap between bubbles had fallen again to 11 seconds. Seemed really strange to me. On 9/20, a bit less than a month after fermentation started I decided to measure gravity again: 1.022. It dropped only 0.012 points for about week.
At this point, I could really use some of your advice. Of course I drank the sample, and it still tasted a bit too sweet, but no signs of strange, unexpected off-flavors (although since it's my first mead I don't have much to compare it to).
My guess is that my fermentation has been really slow due to lack of nutrients. Am I correct? If this is the case, should I add more Fermax (unfortunately, this is all I have)? If so, how much more? Do I simply add and stir? Your suggestions would be really welcome here.
I do appreciate your help and attention. I'm glad to finally join this community. Thank you all in advance.
Cheers
This is my first batch of mead. I chose a Medium Sweet basic recipe from Schramm's book. Here's what I used:
[5 gallons]
6.4kg (14.10 lbs) Orange Blossom Honey
5 grams Fermax (this was all I could get for nutrients/energizer)
2 packets Lalvin 71B-1122 (10 grams)
Enough spring water to complete 5 gallons
O.G.: 1.096
First of all, I actually realized I could have used a bit more honey to have my mead Medium Sweet. But if it would turn out to be something between Dry-Medium Sweet it's fine by me.
One of my concerns is the lack of pure DAP as a nutrient. I'm aware Fermax contains only a small amount of DAP, but I really couldn't find any where I live. The best I could get is plain Fermax.
Procedures:
I've heated the must to sanitize without boiling. All equipments were nicely sanitized. Oxygenated the must stirring thoroughly for 5 minutes after pitching the yeast.
Primary Fermentation (started 8/25)
I used a fermentation bucket. As far as my Air Lock could tell, fermentation started up well. After 2 weks (9/08 ) bubbles slowed down to a point there was 1 each 38 seconds. This, combined with the fact 2 weeks had passed, made me think my mead was ready to be racked. I moved the bucket to a higher spot so I could rack but then realized the gap between bubbles had fallen from 38 to 15.5 seconds the other day. This raised some concerns but I just ignored it and racked anyway (9/12). I transferred the mead to a glass carboy. I measured gravity again and got 1.034. Since then, I've been wondering if I have racked my mead too soon.
Secondary Fermentation (started 9/12)
One week after secondary started I noticed the gap between bubbles had fallen again to 11 seconds. Seemed really strange to me. On 9/20, a bit less than a month after fermentation started I decided to measure gravity again: 1.022. It dropped only 0.012 points for about week.
At this point, I could really use some of your advice. Of course I drank the sample, and it still tasted a bit too sweet, but no signs of strange, unexpected off-flavors (although since it's my first mead I don't have much to compare it to).
My guess is that my fermentation has been really slow due to lack of nutrients. Am I correct? If this is the case, should I add more Fermax (unfortunately, this is all I have)? If so, how much more? Do I simply add and stir? Your suggestions would be really welcome here.
I do appreciate your help and attention. I'm glad to finally join this community. Thank you all in advance.
Cheers