First batch SG seemed low/off gassing tame

[fatbloke]

Originally Posted by Aqualab

Correction - the SG is actually 1.008. So I think this may be ready to bottle?

Not until you have 3 identical gravity readings, each reading taken 2 or 3 days apart.

Even a 1 point drop would suggest it's still fermenting, albeit slowly. You want it fixed first, before you think of mixing in priming sugars (honey) and bottling...

In truth, I'd suggest waiting until it's cleared......

[Aqualab]

Okay - I'll check the SG two more times over a span of a couple of days to compare. So the fizz and the delay in getting an accurate SG reading today would mean that there is still fermentation taking place? No additional yeast needed as it appears the ones in the fermenter are doing the job? So pH is okay?
Getting antsy................ Wanting to get it bottled as the majority of the commercially available mead I can find locally either tastes like sugar water and/or is way too expensive to drink a couple of times a week (medicinal purposes only of course).

Thanks

[Aqualab]

Will it clear by itself or do you typically add fining agents like when brewing some styles of beer? if so, when would I add those?

[Chevette Girl]

Fizz means don't bottle it yet, you're just asking for a bottle bomb. Remember, the most important ingredient in mead is patience

Most meads do eventually clear, and generally they will not clear if there's any fermentation at all going on. If you find one that's stopped (no airlock activity and stable SG over a month or two) and it's still really cloudy, then maybe think about cold-crashing or fining agents. I've never needed a fining agent on a traditional but I have had a few stubborn mels and JAO variants (the original recipe always clears for me).

[Aqualab]

Thanks for the information - I'll just relax and not worry and check it again in a month. I'll change the blow off to an air lock since the threat of violent off gassing has passed. I don't want to screw it up at this stage or have glass shards maim or kill a family member or one of the black labs!

[Aqualab]

Checked my mead yesterday and it skunked - 13 gallons and two + months down the drain. Was going fine two weeks ago when last checked, tasted fine. Wondering if changing over from a blow off tube to an air lock was possibly the cause. I didn't like the way the air lock stopper supplied by Blichmann fit into the blow off attachment - stopper seemed undersized as its top was almost flush with the fitting. bubbling almost ceased immediately after the change over. Who knows - discouraging to say the least.

Planning my next attempt, will use a dry yeast this time instead of the liquid White Lab sweet mead variety. Never had a vigorous off gas, was tame and drawn out. Would like a medium sweet finish and still going to carbonate.