First Mead....

[buraglio]

So I decided to try to make some mead today. I wanted to start with something simple since I'm pretty new to brewing in general, and really, really new to mead.
I opted to try the "Ancient Orange Mead" recipe that I've seen floating around ( http://www.moremead.com/mead_logs/Ancient_OCC.html ). Anyway, I followed the instructions (except I had to use a 3 gallon carboy, it's all I had free) and after 12 hours I still see no activity.
Should I just wait it out? I expected to see some activity a few hours later but nothing...
I'm happy to admit defeat and start over with something new but I'd at least like to verify and know what I did incorrectly.
I'm also happy to wait it out and start something else in parallel (plus I still need to bottle a batch of beer).

Any help or insight greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

nb

 

[Adolphus79]

RDWHAHB, 12 hours ain't nothing... wait at least 3 days before re-pitching...

 

[buraglio]

RDWHAHB, 12 hours ain't nothing... wait at least 3 days before re-pitching...

Cool, thanks. It's looking pretty scummy right now (dunno if thats normal or not, I just started using glass). I'll leave it along for a few more days and see what happens.


Thanks again!
nb

 

[z987k]

Champaign eh? I've been waiting to find someone else in Chambana that brews.
MY roomate has 3 gallons of JOAM going right now. Along with 5.5gals of a traditional sweet mead....and 15gallons of beer.

 

[buraglio]

Wow, thats pretty awesome. I'm pretty much a novice, but I'm hoping to pick it up quickly. I just tested my first batch and, while maybe tasting a little weak, I think it's about ready to bottle. Flavor is pretty good and aroma is really good. Hydrometer readings look ok. I'm going to give it a few more days (since I just don't have time yet) but I think so far, so good. My mead is starting to ferment, it's been a good past few weeks.
Are you involved in the Champaign Home brewers club at all? https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ro/www/BoneyardUnionofZymurgicalZealots/
I'm thinking about checking out a few meetings or happy hours. I work at the same place as the prez of the club so he's encouraged me to check it out (plus given me some pointers).

 

[z987k]

I've looked at the Champaign Homebrew Club, but haven't attended anything. I'm guess I'm worried it'd be really awkward with a bunch of old guys and me who is only 22.

 

[buraglio]

I've looked at the Champaign Homebrew Club, but haven't attended anything. I'm guess I'm worried it'd be really awkward with a bunch of old guys and me who is only 22.

Well, I'm only 32 but my wife claims that I act like I'm 12. I'm probably going to hit up the next happy hour, which is this week. If it's not what I'm looking for, at least I got to have a few beers.

nb

 

[RangerG]

First time I made sparkling ginger mead (barkshack) I used one package of red star yeast. That was years ago.

This time around I actually read the instructions which call for 28 grams of yeast for 5 gallons; gee, at five grams per package - that's almost six packages. The results came after about 14 hours and were fantastic. The tempurature was also a constant 76 degrees.

Sometimes I tip-toe into that room, with two carboys filled with fermenting mead, and listen to the fizz - it's quite loud even for me and I am half-deaf. The meads are crystal clear, the glass is clear, and they are both filled with those lovely little chamgagne bubbles. I love watching the bubbles jumping into the air inside the carboy - fizz, fizz, fizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[buraglio]

First time I made sparkling ginger mead (barkshack) I used one package of red star yeast. That was years ago.

This time around I actually read the instructions which call for 28 grams of yeast for 5 gallons; gee, at five grams per package - that's almost six packages. The results came after about 14 hours and were fantastic. The tempurature was also a constant 76 degrees.

Sometimes I tip-toe into that room, with two carboys filled with fermenting mead, and listen to the fizz - it's quite loud even for me and I am half-deaf. The meads are crystal clear, the glass is clear, and they are both filled with those lovely little chamgagne bubbles. I love watching the bubbles jumping into the air inside the carboy - fizz, fizz, fizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

It's fermenting now, I checked it today and it's certainly working. It's not fizzing but it is 1 gallon of mead in a 3 gallon carboy so it kinda makes sense. It bubbles several times a minute.

nb

 

[z987k]

Well, I'm only 32 but my wife claims that I act like I'm 12. I'm probably going to hit up the next happy hour, which is this week. If it's not what I'm looking for, at least I got to have a few beers.

nb

I figured I'd try to make one after the first of the year when I'll have more time to do stuff.

 

[buraglio]

I figured I'd try to make one after the first of the year when I'll have more time to do stuff.

Cool man, let me know. We can get a brew.

nb