• PATRONS: Did you know we've a chat function for you now? Look to the bottom of the screen, you can chat, set up rooms, talk to each other individually or in groups! Click 'Chat' at the right side of the chat window to open the chat up.
  • Love Gotmead and want to see it grow? Then consider supporting the site and becoming a Patron! If you're logged in, click on your username to the right of the menu to see how as little as $30/year can get you access to the patron areas and the patron Facebook group and to support Gotmead!
  • We now have a Patron-exclusive Facebook group! Patrons my join at The Gotmead Patron Group. You MUST answer the questions, providing your Patron membership, when you request to join so I can verify your Patron membership. If the questions aren't answered, the request will be turned down.

How do you know it's done?

Barrel Char Wood Products

EnsNentill

NewBee
Registered Member
Jul 26, 2009
65
0
0
I was checking on my cyser today, and it's looking pretty darn clear. It's probably not newsprint-worthy yet, but I would say it looks like apple-juice you'd find at the store (considering the cider I started with was completely opaque, that's saying a lot).

It's only about a month old, so I'm not planning on bottling anytime soon, but it got me thinking: How do you know when it's time to go from bulk aging to bottle aging? Taste? Unchanging hydrometer readings? Mystical Gnosis that I, as a newbee, haven't earned yet?
 

Kee

NewBee
Registered Member
Apr 27, 2008
424
0
0
Phoenix, AZ
Magic! The masters just have a sense.

For us newbees, three months or more of unchanged hydrometer readings is a good indicator.
 

akueck

Certified Mead Mentor
Certified Mead Mentor
Jun 26, 2006
4,958
11
0
Ithaca, NY
Usually I bottle when I can't wait any longer to start another batch and I'm out of empty carboys. ;) The longer you can wait, the better. You'd be surprised how much crud can drop out of a seemingly-clear mead. Best to leave all that behind and not bring it into the bottles, if for nothing else than aesthetics. Once your gravity is at a point that makes sense and stable, it is safe to bottle. But if you can hold out a few more months you won't be sorry.
 

fatbloke

good egg/snappy dresser.....
GotMead Patron
3 consecutive identical hydrometer readings will tell you if the ferment is finished.

Then it's just a case of deciding when to rack off the lees etc.

Yes, meads are pretty good at resisting oxidation, but once you've got the batch off the lees, then I'd be looking for something to top it up with, so I'd be thinking that sulphite and sorbate first, then top it off with some clear apple juice..... just to remove the airspace, unless you've got something better i.e. a similar mead/wine etc

regards

fatbloke
 
Barrel Char Wood Products

Viking Brew Vessels - Authentic Drinking Horns