I made my first batch of mead tonight. For a 1 gallon batch I used a quart of Orange Blossom Honey, Lalvin 71B-1122 yeast, juice from 2 oranges, 1 cup of strong Darjeeling tea, and 1 teaspoon of DAP.
I made a several mistakes:
1. I heated more than 1 gallon of water. I figured I might lose some in initial boil. I didn't actually bring it to a boil though (maybe 150 degrees). Coupled with the 1 cup of tea I added, there was more than could be put in my gallon jug. The honey is dissolved in more water and is therefore not as concentrated, and not all in my fermenter.
2. I poured the must up close to the top, so when I poured in my yeast starter, it wouldn't all fit. I had to move my funnel over a sanitized bowl to catch what was in the funnel. I then had to empty some of the must and yeast into the sink to make room. Ah! Then I put the captured yeast into the jug. This means that I don't have as high a yeast count as I would have.
3. I don't know where my head was, but I put the must and yeast in the jug with the must at around 120 degrees. As I was aerating I was thinking that the jug was hot. That may have killed my yeast(?).
4. Oh yeah, I also put a teaspoon of DAP in to. But I emptied into the damp funnel so it stuck to the funnel and I poured a tad bit of left over must in to wash it down.
Screwing up like that, with all the preparation I did, is a real bummer. Going to have a homebrew after I click the Submit button (not that one has to deal with problems by drinking, but I would have had a beer if all went well too--it's a win win!).
Any thoughts or suggestions? Should I be prepared to go buy another packet of yeast? Thank you in advance.
I made a several mistakes:
1. I heated more than 1 gallon of water. I figured I might lose some in initial boil. I didn't actually bring it to a boil though (maybe 150 degrees). Coupled with the 1 cup of tea I added, there was more than could be put in my gallon jug. The honey is dissolved in more water and is therefore not as concentrated, and not all in my fermenter.
2. I poured the must up close to the top, so when I poured in my yeast starter, it wouldn't all fit. I had to move my funnel over a sanitized bowl to catch what was in the funnel. I then had to empty some of the must and yeast into the sink to make room. Ah! Then I put the captured yeast into the jug. This means that I don't have as high a yeast count as I would have.
3. I don't know where my head was, but I put the must and yeast in the jug with the must at around 120 degrees. As I was aerating I was thinking that the jug was hot. That may have killed my yeast(?).
4. Oh yeah, I also put a teaspoon of DAP in to. But I emptied into the damp funnel so it stuck to the funnel and I poured a tad bit of left over must in to wash it down.
Screwing up like that, with all the preparation I did, is a real bummer. Going to have a homebrew after I click the Submit button (not that one has to deal with problems by drinking, but I would have had a beer if all went well too--it's a win win!).
Any thoughts or suggestions? Should I be prepared to go buy another packet of yeast? Thank you in advance.