The following was my recipe:
5.75 gallons water
11# fireweed honey
5# pure agave syrup
1 WYEAST DRY MEAD YEAST
So my mead fermentation slowed down to one airlock bubble every 15 seconds after about 8-9 days. I raised the temperature from 72 F to 77 F and added copious amount of yeast energizer (DAP+B12). Not seeing results immediately, I went and bought an EC-1118. I started this starter yesterday afternoon and now, about 6-8 hours before I am ready to pitch the healthy yeast into the must, the airlock has increased in speed to 1 bubble every 4 seconds !
sidenote: It is possible that a minute amount of EC-1118 yeast starter may have gotten into the main must when dipping the emptied starter container into the mainbucket to attain more must to add to the starter solution.
Currently, the must is at 1.070
To add or not to add the EC-1118 is my question ?
I need to evaluate the following:
1. Has the Wyeast yeast now consumed all the additional nutrients and oxygen and become the dominant yeast that EC-1118 will not have an affect, or become yeast stressed and produce off flavors. Moreover, are there any ill effects of introducing the EC-1118 to an active must with Wyeast yeast ?
2. Since I may not need it, how would the EC-1118 affect my mead character ? From what I understand, the EC-1118 is neutral in character and the Wyeast has taken it down to 1.070 from 1.110 and still going, so it will have the Wyeast character. But will the EC-1118 really dry the mead to an undesirable extent compared to the wyeast. I like just a wee bit of sweet, and the EC-1118 seems to have a reputation of being very dry.
3. Should I add more nutrient ? Should I assume that since I added a full 2.5 oz before that there is a bunch left for the new yeast ? Is there a danger in having too much nutrient at the stage in fermentation this is at ?
Thanks
H
5.75 gallons water
11# fireweed honey
5# pure agave syrup
1 WYEAST DRY MEAD YEAST
So my mead fermentation slowed down to one airlock bubble every 15 seconds after about 8-9 days. I raised the temperature from 72 F to 77 F and added copious amount of yeast energizer (DAP+B12). Not seeing results immediately, I went and bought an EC-1118. I started this starter yesterday afternoon and now, about 6-8 hours before I am ready to pitch the healthy yeast into the must, the airlock has increased in speed to 1 bubble every 4 seconds !
sidenote: It is possible that a minute amount of EC-1118 yeast starter may have gotten into the main must when dipping the emptied starter container into the mainbucket to attain more must to add to the starter solution.
Currently, the must is at 1.070
To add or not to add the EC-1118 is my question ?
I need to evaluate the following:
1. Has the Wyeast yeast now consumed all the additional nutrients and oxygen and become the dominant yeast that EC-1118 will not have an affect, or become yeast stressed and produce off flavors. Moreover, are there any ill effects of introducing the EC-1118 to an active must with Wyeast yeast ?
2. Since I may not need it, how would the EC-1118 affect my mead character ? From what I understand, the EC-1118 is neutral in character and the Wyeast has taken it down to 1.070 from 1.110 and still going, so it will have the Wyeast character. But will the EC-1118 really dry the mead to an undesirable extent compared to the wyeast. I like just a wee bit of sweet, and the EC-1118 seems to have a reputation of being very dry.
3. Should I add more nutrient ? Should I assume that since I added a full 2.5 oz before that there is a bunch left for the new yeast ? Is there a danger in having too much nutrient at the stage in fermentation this is at ?
Thanks
H