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Just racked, is this right?

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J

jrigal

Worker Bee
Registered Member
Sep 27, 2005
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Just racked my blueberry melomel for the first time. OG: 1.110, SG: 1.028 (prior to racking onto blueberry puree). I asked the following questions in the Brewlog with the recipe, but I must have put it in the wrong forum. So, I'm asking here.

Okay, got some questions here. This is my first mead, so please bear with me.
This was in the primary for almost 3 weeks before it quit on me. I figured it had fermented out. But, if I'm doing the math right, I'm at about 10.5 to 11% ABV. The yeast used (whte labs liquid sweet mead yeast) is supposed to go to 15%, and there's plenty of sugar left with an SG of 1.028. Now, it's sitting on a can of blueberry puree, which means more sugar. I wanted it sweet, but this is a little much. I also wanted a little higher ABV. What can I do to get it back going, or is this where it stops?

Also, when I racked onto the puree, was I supposed to aerate? Just stir? Or, do I leave it alone? I didn't know what to do because I've been reading some of these posts, and it seems that this is unwanted after the first few days (Incidentally, when I racked, I noticed it was pretty much clear. I wasn't expecting that). For my recipe/process see "another blueberry melomel" in the Brewlog.

After 16 hrs, no activity in the airlock.
 
D

Drone1973

NewBee
Registered Member
Oct 14, 2005
18
0
0
Your mead has stalled. For what ever reason. After the first rack Meads are always sweet. at least the samples I have taken. So there is nothing there that time won't heal. Some people recommend shocking the mead Getting it cold and then allwing it to warm up. Me I don't have that much patience. First I try warming the mead to about 70-78. Given a coupl of days I usually don't have a problem and it kicks off again. If that won't do it you may want to thieve out a glass or two. Then add another starter.

Hope this is helpful.
 
B

Brewbear

NewBee
Registered Member
May 10, 2005
959
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0
To me it sounds like your racking did not carry over enough yeasties. Maybe repitching is your only alternative. I would however try bringing the mel up to a comfortable 70 -75 deg. for a couple of days. First check the seals and make sure there is no CO2 leak, check the SG and see if there is a drop in the reading.

Ted
 
Oskaar

Oskaar

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

From my experience meads are not always sweet after the first racking.

In fact, when I recently racked my Dry Meads they were both bone dry with brix measurements of 0.8 and 1.3. Since both the yeasts I used R2 and CY3079 are slow steady fermenters, the primary fermentation was a total of twenty one days which is about 6-10 days longer than when I use faster fermenting yeasts. The sweetness will be a function of the inital brix of your must, the type of yeast you're using, and the point at which you decide to rack.

Hope that helps,

Oskaar
 
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