VaporPhreak

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So I'm new to forum, just found it today as a matter of fact, and thought it would be a great place to inquire about a batch I made last year. I brewed up a basic mead (3lbs Wildflower Honey, 1 Gallon water, 1 pack lalvin D-47) and set in the basement to ferment. Well, I also then proceeded to make a few gallons of hard cider and completely forgot about the mead. Here we are 10 months later and Im cleaning out the basement and find the old batch.
Now the airlock still contained enough vodka to keep air out, but its been sitting on the yeast cake for 9 months+ now. My question is, should I even dare to try this stuff? I have always been told sitting on the yeast cake for even a couple of weeks longer than it should will yield a very bitter nasty wine/mead/beer, so I am a bit nervous and yet a bit curious. What are your thoughts fellow brewers?

derek81

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<~~~new to Mead
I'd try it lol bit that's just me

motobrewer

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mead is different. people usually say 2 years is a good place to start for aging meads.

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"srsly, not intended to threadjack (big hairy)"

delvorak

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You should definitely try it. Worst case you spit it out.

It's my understanding that you can let mead sit on most yeasts for quite a long time without any negative effects. The only one that I've heard causes problems is 71B.

Scott

Goofynewfie

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Go for it, I have heard of it sitting longer and still being ok

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roadymi

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I normally start my ciders in 15 gallon primaries in oct-nov, amd don't rack into secondaries until march or april. I havn't noticed any ill effects. I certainly wouldn't be afraid to at least taste it.

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Give a man a beer, he'll drink for the day.Teach a man to brew, he'll be drunk the rest of his life.
I have 8 carboys, 8 cornies, 5-1 gal jugs, 200 wine bottles, 10 cases of beer bottles and a nice assortment of flip tops....My goal is to keep them at least 50% occupied

Insomniac

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Sounds like a good time to bottle... Give it a little taste and if its ok rack it a few times to get rid of all that yeast.

AZ_IPA

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grrrrrrrrrr......

One big problem with homebrewing is the "I've heard" or "I read" passing along of what may or may not be good information.

Vapor - 9-10 months isn't the end of the world; I personally like to rack off the lees (yeast) after fermentation is done, and again when it clears.

I'm guessing it's pretty clear now?

You could go ahead and either rack, or just bottle.

VaporPhreak

Recipes 

WOW and Thanks for the responses. You all are fast! I think I'm gonna like this place.
AZ, I know what you mean, and thats why I came here to ask the more experienced folks.

I will pop it open sometime this weekend and pull of a bit to taste. If its decent I will rack and bottle. I'll let you all know how it turns out. Thanks again everyone!!

motobrewer

Recipes 

and where did you get that information from?

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"srsly, not intended to threadjack (big hairy)"