I started a traditional 5 gallon BOMM about 10 days ago. Fermentation has all but stopped and I will open up the primary tonight and check FG but I suspect it has proceeded as anticipated and finished dry.
The one variation this has is that 1 lb of hibiscus flowers were cold steeped overnight into the mix water. In addition to the beautiful color, this is going to leave it pretty tart due to a whopping dose of vitamin C so my plan was to end up with sweet/semi-sweet mead with an FG of between 1.015 and 1.020. SG was a little low at 1.090 (I think I was slightly light on honey (11.8 lbs rather than 12) and heavy on water (failed to account for 1.5 liter of starter in the final volume).
Researched and, I suspect the 1388 won't kick up again with the additional honey this late in the game. I used Orange Blossom honey in the must but am considering an urban wildflower (a lighter than typical wildflower with an amazing floral taste) for the back sweetening.
As near as I can find out, 1/4 lb per gallon of honey/gallon of mead will raise FG about 0.005. 3 lbs (a quart) of honey should move me about 0.012
Can I pull a quart or so of the must, sweeten with a quart of honey and add back, test and then go in smaller increments - say 1/2 lb at a time?
My "taste tester" won't be over for a few days, can I do the initial addition in the primary, wait a few days to let things settle and ensure fermentation doesn't get going again, then rack to secondary for incremental adjustments if we think they are necessary?
The one variation this has is that 1 lb of hibiscus flowers were cold steeped overnight into the mix water. In addition to the beautiful color, this is going to leave it pretty tart due to a whopping dose of vitamin C so my plan was to end up with sweet/semi-sweet mead with an FG of between 1.015 and 1.020. SG was a little low at 1.090 (I think I was slightly light on honey (11.8 lbs rather than 12) and heavy on water (failed to account for 1.5 liter of starter in the final volume).
Researched and, I suspect the 1388 won't kick up again with the additional honey this late in the game. I used Orange Blossom honey in the must but am considering an urban wildflower (a lighter than typical wildflower with an amazing floral taste) for the back sweetening.
As near as I can find out, 1/4 lb per gallon of honey/gallon of mead will raise FG about 0.005. 3 lbs (a quart) of honey should move me about 0.012
Can I pull a quart or so of the must, sweeten with a quart of honey and add back, test and then go in smaller increments - say 1/2 lb at a time?
My "taste tester" won't be over for a few days, can I do the initial addition in the primary, wait a few days to let things settle and ensure fermentation doesn't get going again, then rack to secondary for incremental adjustments if we think they are necessary?