Mead Fermentation Activity?

kombatkoala · 03-24-2010, 06:07 PM

I started a small 2.5 gal batch of mead - very basic honey and water with champagne yeast - and then forgot to watch it. I'm used to brewing beer which has always been pretty active when fermenting - is mead the same way? There's no buildup over the liquid, and I'm wondering if the fermentation ever started, or if I need to restart the yeast.

I also neglected to take the specific gravity of the mead before I put it in there, so I am unable to check if it has changed.

nealf · 03-24-2010, 06:09 PM

It really depends on how long ago you pitched the yeast. Yesterday, last week? Also, how much honey did you add and we can usually take a shot at what your OG would have been.

kombatkoala · 03-24-2010, 06:12 PM

This was done back in mid-February - we did 5lbs of clover honey, it's been sitting in a closet for the last few weeks.

kombatkoala · 03-24-2010, 06:32 PM

I was looking at the FAQs (wish I'd done that before I started!) and I do not believe I started the yeast correctly, and I know I did not add nitrogen, so I will try to do that with some new yeast.

A rough guess at the OG would be very helpful if someone could estimate it.

nealf · 03-24-2010, 07:04 PM

A quick and dirty run through beer calculus gives me about 1.070 for 5# of honey in a 2.5G batch... I would guess that your FG would be well below 1.000 at this point.

kombatkoala · 03-24-2010, 07:17 PM

Awesome, thank you very much!