I have been searching around for an answer for the last few days, but have been unable to determine the cause of my problem. I am currently making (4) 5gallon batches of mead, all with different fruits except one.
The first contained 23# of honey, water to make 5 gallons and 18# of strawberries. The second also 21# of honey, water for 5 gallons and 24# of the frozen three berry blend (from costco). The third contained 23# of honey and 15# of handpicked sour cherries. The last just 23# of honey and water for 5 gallons.
For each of the 4 I used Wyeast 4184 (sweet mead) along with a total of 1tsp of yeast energizer and 2tsp of nutrient (blended together, and added in 3/4tsp increments staggered throughout the fermentation). The first three vigorously fermented to completion in about 14 days (at 22C) , however the last initially fermented slowly, and has stalled. It started at a gravity of 1.129 and 12 days later is still at 1.098. After 5 days with very little activity I pitched another 1L starter (1/2 cup honey, 1/4tsp nutrient, and 1 pack 4184), with very little improvement in activity.
The only difference in conditions between this problematic batch and the other three was the lack of fruit. I am curious as to if it is a problem with my ph, but I do not have a meter or strips to test with. I visited a few LHBS and pet stores and was unable to get any test strips that would test for a ph below 6.
Any ideas?
The first contained 23# of honey, water to make 5 gallons and 18# of strawberries. The second also 21# of honey, water for 5 gallons and 24# of the frozen three berry blend (from costco). The third contained 23# of honey and 15# of handpicked sour cherries. The last just 23# of honey and water for 5 gallons.
For each of the 4 I used Wyeast 4184 (sweet mead) along with a total of 1tsp of yeast energizer and 2tsp of nutrient (blended together, and added in 3/4tsp increments staggered throughout the fermentation). The first three vigorously fermented to completion in about 14 days (at 22C) , however the last initially fermented slowly, and has stalled. It started at a gravity of 1.129 and 12 days later is still at 1.098. After 5 days with very little activity I pitched another 1L starter (1/2 cup honey, 1/4tsp nutrient, and 1 pack 4184), with very little improvement in activity.
The only difference in conditions between this problematic batch and the other three was the lack of fruit. I am curious as to if it is a problem with my ph, but I do not have a meter or strips to test with. I visited a few LHBS and pet stores and was unable to get any test strips that would test for a ph below 6.
Any ideas?