Recent content by JuneHawk

I just moved a carboy of mead to the front of the counter so it has time to settle before I rack it and I noticed that there is mold IN the airlock. I don't see any mold in the carboy but I don't know how to proceed. I started this mead back in March and I was waiting until fermentation stopped...

It actually has more color than the picture shows, there just wasn't enough of the wine in the glass to notice it. This is what it looks like bottled: http://instagram.com/p/oWP6IllVf9/

I finished my first batch last weekend. This stuff is delicious!!!!!!!!!! I foresee a fun Memorial Day weekend ;) I did a quick post about it with my notes on my blog. June

I just degassed and added the kmeta and sorbate to my Skeeter Pee. I didn't add Sparkolloid because I didn't have any. How long do you think it'd take for the pee to clear on its own? Edit: I also just saw someone on the previous page also didn't add Sparkolloid. I can't get it until Friday...

I just brewed a 1 gallon kit. I started with 1.25 gallons, as per the instructions, followed the instructions to the T, and the wort boiled down to half a gallon. WTH? I'm so disappointed, I was really looking forward to brewing this product.:(

I'm thinking about brewing my first batch of beer, and it'll most likely be from this 1-gallon kit. I normally brew other things like mead and cider since that's what I like. I'm not crazy about beer because I don't like bitter. The only beers I like are sours. Anyhow, the kit comes with...

I used Montrachet. I think at this point I'm going to just let it be and hope for the best.

So, dumb, absent minded me pitched the yeast in a too-hot must last night. The must was probably around 110F and the yeast Montrachet. It wasn't until after I bunged the carboy and put the airlock on that it dawned on me. At that point there was nothing I could do but wait and see. This...

I really want to make Skeeter Pee but I only have a 7 gallon fermenting bucket and a 6 gallon carboy. Can I make a half batch (2.5) gallons in a 6 gallon carboy without worrying about oxidation? To preempt the make-the-5-gallons comments, I don't need that much as I don't drink that much nor...

OK, I popped a regular bottle open and it's definitely flat. It's delicious, but flat. I probably pasteurized too soon. Live and learn. However, this will definitely get drunk, as I said, it's delicious.

Yup. I had put the PET bottle in the fridge after first opening it so maybe that's the flat issue. I'm going to open a bottle proper tonight and see.

I opened a PET bottle and, while it was carbonated, the liquid itself was flat. Do you let it condition in the bottle for a few weeks like (some?) beer?

I'm currently pasteurizing the last of the 5 gallon batch and, so far, I haven't lost any bottles. Phew! I tasted the cider in the PET bottle when I opened it and it was delicious! It was like drinking apple pie, and it had a great apple pie aftertaste. I put the bottle in the fridge and I...

AND one more thing.... For calculating the ABV, should I use the SG before back-sweetening or after?

Also, I initially made the syrup with the cinnamon extract and it just looked oily to me. I didn't want to risk it so I dumped it and started all over again with sticks and powder. The risk of ruining the cider just wasn't worth it to me.