A Pyment & A Melomel

[Glenna]

I have 1 - 5 gal. pyment and 1 - 5 gal. strawberry melomel (both from our own fruit) sitting in carboys. They are 12 and 11 months old, respectively.

Starting with the Pyment:
It was started Sep. 2016
Racked in Feb. 2017, 11.5%. It was a bit dry/sour so added more honey, grape juice and RO water in make up volume after racking. New SG taken. Finally racked again last night (I'm a VERY patient brewer (read: Too Darn Busy)), SG unchanged but it's still a little more dry than we like. I would like to add a little more honey. My question is: Should I also add yeast now? I half expected it to start working again back in Feb when I added honey. The yeast must have converted all available sugar and died off? Can I just add honey to taste now, rack again in a couple months (give or take ) and call it good? I don't use anything to kill the yeast at the end, so just wondering if somewhere along the way it'll start up again?

Then the Strawberry Melomel:
It was started Oct. 2016 and the first rack was last night It's at 11.5% as well, but I'd like to add a bit more honey. So, same question: Also add yeast? Just add honey? RO water or apple juice to make up volume?

Both batches were made with Lalvin EC-1118, the only yeast I've ever used.

Thanks, in advance, for any advice offered!

glenna

 

[voltron]

I have 1 - 5 gal. pyment and 1 - 5 gal. strawberry melomel (both from our own fruit) sitting in carboys. They are 12 and 11 months old, respectively.

Starting with the Pyment:
It was started Sep. 2016
Racked in Feb. 2017, 11.5%. It was a bit dry/sour so added more honey, grape juice and RO water in make up volume after racking. New SG taken. Finally racked again last night (I'm a VERY patient brewer (read: Too Darn Busy)), SG unchanged but it's still a little more dry than we like. I would like to add a little more honey. My question is: Should I also add yeast now? I half expected it to start working again back in Feb when I added honey. The yeast must have converted all available sugar and died off? Can I just add honey to taste now, rack again in a couple months (give or take ) and call it good? I don't use anything to kill the yeast at the end, so just wondering if somewhere along the way it'll start up again?

Then the Strawberry Melomel:
It was started Oct. 2016 and the first rack was last night It's at 11.5% as well, but I'd like to add a bit more honey. So, same question: Also add yeast? Just add honey? RO water or apple juice to make up volume?

Both batches were made with Lalvin EC-1118, the only yeast I've ever used.

Thanks, in advance, for any advice offered!

glenna

If you are looking to just make it sweeter you can just add more honey to taste. On avg it takes me one cup (8oz) of honey per five gallon batch to get a desired result. I then let it age about two more months and then bottle. I dont add more yeast.

 

[voltron]

You can top off with apple juice but check to make sure you dont over sweeten. Personally, when i brew my wines i brew to maximum dryness, bc i later on top off with juice. I like it bc it helps add a fruity aroma to wine. but just make sure you let it age a few more months before bottling.