I've been planning my brewing hobby for months, and finally dove in yesterday. I wanted to start with a simple, plain mead, so went to my local brew guy and bought 6lbs of honey and a packet of yeast (D47). I already had accumulated 2 glass 5gal carboys and some other stuff...but anyway long story short:
I boiled my honey in water. Added 1 tsp acid blend and 3 tsp yeast nutrient. Then I funneled it into my carboy and filled it with close to 5 gal water.
After four hours it was still at 82F, six more hours later it was (finally!) below 80F so, as instructed by my brew guy, poured in my yeast packet.
I do have some foam/moldy looking buildup on top now around the yeast. I'm concerned that the yeast needs to be stirred in so it won't be stuck in that one spot, and I'm also wondering if I should just cover the top with a paper towel and rubber band or if I should attach my fermentation lock.
Also: I told my brew guy I wanted a "medium" 3-gallon mead. And stupidly I didn't realize that I was using my 5-gal carboy until it was already filled with water. So I have this 5 gallons of must, and only 6 lbs of honey. Is this going to be the lamest, weakest mead ever? Is it worth continuing?
And finally: I have a hydrometer. And I mistakenly believed I should take hydrometer readings after fermentation, didn't realize I should have already done so. Now that my fermentation is underway, should I take a hydrometer reading now? Or should I give the little yeasties some time to get their ferment on?
Thanks so much for any help.
I boiled my honey in water. Added 1 tsp acid blend and 3 tsp yeast nutrient. Then I funneled it into my carboy and filled it with close to 5 gal water.
After four hours it was still at 82F, six more hours later it was (finally!) below 80F so, as instructed by my brew guy, poured in my yeast packet.
I do have some foam/moldy looking buildup on top now around the yeast. I'm concerned that the yeast needs to be stirred in so it won't be stuck in that one spot, and I'm also wondering if I should just cover the top with a paper towel and rubber band or if I should attach my fermentation lock.
Also: I told my brew guy I wanted a "medium" 3-gallon mead. And stupidly I didn't realize that I was using my 5-gal carboy until it was already filled with water. So I have this 5 gallons of must, and only 6 lbs of honey. Is this going to be the lamest, weakest mead ever? Is it worth continuing?
And finally: I have a hydrometer. And I mistakenly believed I should take hydrometer readings after fermentation, didn't realize I should have already done so. Now that my fermentation is underway, should I take a hydrometer reading now? Or should I give the little yeasties some time to get their ferment on?
Thanks so much for any help.