I've started my first batch of mead in many years, and I have some problems right off the bat. My basic question is - can I save this batch of mead?
My initial hydrometer reading is off the scale on the dense side; i.e., it is greater than 1.020. Is this a problem with the hydrometer I bought, or should I add more water? Is it too late to add water? I should be at 4.5 US gallons now.
How much EC-1118 yeast should I use for five gallons of Barkshack Ginger Mead, and is it now too late to add more yeast?
I have very carefully followed the recipe for Barkshack Ginger Mead in Charlie Papazian's book - The Complete Joy of Home Brewing and I note that I used two packets of Lalvin EC-1118 as yeast. I chose it because I live in the US southwest, and the temperature in my house can get as high as 78F
Charlie Papazian's recipe calls for 1 ounce of dry champagne yeast, and each packet of EC-1118 is 0.176 ounces. This means, if I follow Charlie's recipe, that I need three more packets. However, on the packet package, it says that one packet is enough for 1-6 US gallons. I've read other sources on-line that indicate a smaller amount of EC-1118 for five gallons of mead.
Thanks for your help!
My initial hydrometer reading is off the scale on the dense side; i.e., it is greater than 1.020. Is this a problem with the hydrometer I bought, or should I add more water? Is it too late to add water? I should be at 4.5 US gallons now.
How much EC-1118 yeast should I use for five gallons of Barkshack Ginger Mead, and is it now too late to add more yeast?
I have very carefully followed the recipe for Barkshack Ginger Mead in Charlie Papazian's book - The Complete Joy of Home Brewing and I note that I used two packets of Lalvin EC-1118 as yeast. I chose it because I live in the US southwest, and the temperature in my house can get as high as 78F
Charlie Papazian's recipe calls for 1 ounce of dry champagne yeast, and each packet of EC-1118 is 0.176 ounces. This means, if I follow Charlie's recipe, that I need three more packets. However, on the packet package, it says that one packet is enough for 1-6 US gallons. I've read other sources on-line that indicate a smaller amount of EC-1118 for five gallons of mead.
Thanks for your help!
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