New to mead and new to the site -- hoping I can get some advice! I'm currently fermenting two batches of mead, both in one-gallon jugs. I've seen a lot of posts about mysterious floaties in mead, and most of the response is that they're most likely yeast or something harmless. I'm hoping mine is just as innocuous! However, my floaties seem to have a turned a bit black...Here's the steps I followed:
Batch 1:
1) Sanitized all equipment using Star San
2) Poured local honey (about three lbs) into jug
3) Added some water (Deer Park) to the honey and swished
4) Followed directions on yeast packet (Pasteur Champagne Yeast): warmed water, poured in yeast, let sit for 20 min
5) Pitched prepared yeast into honey/water
6) Filled jug with water (Deer Park), leaving about three inches of space on the neck
7) Capped with rubber stopper and airlock
Batch 2:
1) Sanitized all equipment using Star San
2) Poured local honey (about three lbs) into jug
3) Added some water (Deer Park) to the honey and swished
4) Followed directions on yeast packet (Pasteur Champagne Yeast): warmed water, poured in yeast, let sit for 20 min
5) Pitched prepared yeast into honey/water
6) Brewed white tea
6) Filled jug with white tea and water (Deer Park), leaving about three inches of space on the neck
7) Capped with rubber stopper and airlock
Both batches sat for about a week and a half before they started bubbling. A few patches, white with a bluish-green top, formed on top. A day or two after Batch 1 started to bubble and then 4 or 5 days after that Batch 2 started to bubble. Now the floaties have turned black!
Do I have a mold problem? If so, what's the best way to address it?
Thanks!
https://i.imgur.com/8hh7ncf.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/MDNJz9t.jpg
Batch 1:
1) Sanitized all equipment using Star San
2) Poured local honey (about three lbs) into jug
3) Added some water (Deer Park) to the honey and swished
4) Followed directions on yeast packet (Pasteur Champagne Yeast): warmed water, poured in yeast, let sit for 20 min
5) Pitched prepared yeast into honey/water
6) Filled jug with water (Deer Park), leaving about three inches of space on the neck
7) Capped with rubber stopper and airlock
Batch 2:
1) Sanitized all equipment using Star San
2) Poured local honey (about three lbs) into jug
3) Added some water (Deer Park) to the honey and swished
4) Followed directions on yeast packet (Pasteur Champagne Yeast): warmed water, poured in yeast, let sit for 20 min
5) Pitched prepared yeast into honey/water
6) Brewed white tea
6) Filled jug with white tea and water (Deer Park), leaving about three inches of space on the neck
7) Capped with rubber stopper and airlock
Both batches sat for about a week and a half before they started bubbling. A few patches, white with a bluish-green top, formed on top. A day or two after Batch 1 started to bubble and then 4 or 5 days after that Batch 2 started to bubble. Now the floaties have turned black!
Do I have a mold problem? If so, what's the best way to address it?
Thanks!
https://i.imgur.com/8hh7ncf.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/MDNJz9t.jpg
Last edited: