Acerglyn turned into a Science Fair Volcano

[Bauerbrewery1989]

So this is my first time making acerglyn, I've made simple meads before but thought to try something new. My 1 gallon recipe was

2.5lb clover honey
12oz grade A maple syrup
1 tsp yeast nutrient
1/2 tsp yeast energizer
D-47 yeast

I started it on 12/5/13 and added 12oz more honey with 1/2 tsp yeast nutrient today, on 12/8/13. I was going to add 8oz more maple syrup near the end of fermentation. When I added the honey and nutrient today, it stated fizzing like I added baking soda to vinegar. Would this just be because of trapped CO2 or has something else come into play? This has never happened before with my previous meads.

 

[Yooper]

Yep, "nucleation points" from the c02 in solution and adding a substance.

Normally, you can take out a sample of the mead and stir additives into it and then add it all back and the volcano will be minimized.

 

[fatbloke]

And always rinse off the outside of the fermenter if possible, then spray with sanitiser, then place it in a sanitised bowl, so that if you do get a bit of an eruption you can either put the liquid back in, or say WTF and drink it as a "tester"

 

[Bauerbrewery1989]

Thank you Yooper, that makes complete sense. It just surprised me when the mead started erupting. I will take you're advice next time and take out a sample to mix it in.

I like you're thinking fatbloke, waste nothing!

 

[wildlife1]

Good Morning Bauerbrewery1989
I have a question for you the 12oz. of honey you added was that part of the 2.5lbs or extra?Reason I am asking is I am new to this.Brewing 2 1gallon batches of cyser right now

 

[MarshmallowBlue]

And always rinse off the outside of the fermenter if possible, then spray with sanitiser, then place it in a sanitised bowl, so that if you do get a bit of an eruption you can either put the liquid back in, or say WTF and drink it as a "tester"

I never even thought of that, but I'm also pretty careful to avoid Mead Explosions.

But yeah, take some out and dissolve it, and add it back in. I usually just dissolve in a bit of water and add that in.

 

[Bauerbrewery1989]

Wildlife- it was an additional 12 oz of honey on top of the 2.5lb. I read that it's easier for the yeast if you start with a lower amount of honey in the beginning, the slowly "feed" the yeast additional honey as the yeast colony grows. I've never tried this method before so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'll be adding 8oz of maple syrup when I rack it to the secondary to clear.