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Floating Yeast Clumps?

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sandig

NewBee
Registered Member
Jul 17, 2007
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I delayed racking my cherry cyser to a secondary. I aerated the first week, stirred the second, and then sort of ignored it the third. (I did give nutrients at the sugar breaks) I racked onto crushed Campden tablets today. I noticed it was very cloudy and some of the yeast was floating on the top in clumps. The clumps are the same color as the lees on the bottom. Is this normal? I didn't get an SG reading but taste was good.

Thank you
Sandi
 

Oskaar

Got Mead Partner
Administrator
Dec 26, 2004
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The OC
This is normal. Don't worry about it, but, if you see things growing off of them, or if tendrils extend down into your mead you'll need to rack from under them and see how your stuff tastes.

Cheers,

Oskaar
 

sandig

NewBee
Registered Member
Jul 17, 2007
118
0
0
Thanks Oskaar! I racked onto Campden tablets. Will that help prevent this? I think only one or two floaties ended up in the carboy. My guess is the mead got pretty shaken up when carried from bathroom to kitchen and then my struggle to lift it up to the counter to get a siphon going. I will watch it carefully.

Sandi
 

EBCornell

NewBee
Registered Member
Sep 20, 2008
105
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45
Connecticut
I've got the foul looking floating yeast clumps in my new cider as well. :confused3: Glad they're nothing to worry about...but how am I supposed to take a SG reading in the carboy with them in there? Just try to avoid them?
 

Oskaar

Got Mead Partner
Administrator
Dec 26, 2004
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The OC
Just rack from under the surface if you're going to taste test or take a gravity.

Cheers,

Oskaar
 

EBCornell

NewBee
Registered Member
Sep 20, 2008
105
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0
45
Connecticut
I was hoping to take the gravity right in the carboy, since 1 gallon doesn't give me a lot to lose for each reading.

By the by, Oskaar I just heard you on the archived mead episode from the Brewing Network...hence my motivation to get on top of my nutrient additions...
 

Oskaar

Got Mead Partner
Administrator
Dec 26, 2004
7,874
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The OC
Yeah,

That was a fun show with Mike Faul from Rabbit's Foot. We did pretty good on the trivia challenge.

Cheers,

Oskaar
 
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