Beginner Mead Mistake?

[JamieDanger]

Hello!

I fear I may have ruined my mead before it had a chance to get started. I mistakenly added some (maybe 1/3 tsp) of potassium sorbate into my mead right at the beginning (I’m using a gallon container). Only after reading the back did I realize I was meant to add sodium metabisulfite instead!

I haven’t added the yeast in yet (the recipe I’m following said to wait 24 hours) but now I’m concerned I’ve already made a mistake and that the potassium sorbate will inhibit any yeast from getting fermentation going.

Does anyone have any advice? Thank you so much!

 

[Rish]

You might get more responses in the Mead Forum as this forum is beginner beer. A mod can move this post for you. Good luck!

 

[JamieDanger]

You might get more responses in the Mead Forum as this forum is beginner beer. A mod can move this post for you. Good luck!

Thank you! So sorry for mis-posting

 

[Rish]

No problem! Welcome to HBT; lots of great folks and information here.

 

[Kent88]

Moved. Proceed.

 

[madscientist451]

All is not lost! Do you have another 1gallon jug? If yes, split your batch and add water to the desired level. Now, instead of having 1/3 tsp per gallon, you have 1/6 of a teaspoon, and although it’s not the best thing to do, your yeast will probably be fine. You’ll be making a “session mead” which IMO is better than a full strength version. I would suggest one whole pack per gallon. (if using wine yeast) Use go ferm protect when rehydrating your yeast, add fermaid O and follow the staggered nutrient addition schedule (Tonsa protocol) found on the mead made right website.

 

[DBhomebrew]

You’ll be making a “session mead” which IMO is better than a full strength version. I would suggest one whole pack per gallon. (if using wine yeast) Use go ferm protect when rehydrating your yeast, add fermaid O and follow the staggered nutrient addition schedule (Tonsa protocol) found on the mead made right website.

This is exactly the situation the TANG protocol addresses.

My meads, especially the sessions, have improved massively in terms of clean flavor since I started using TANG.

https://experimeads.com/2017/10/24/g-ferm-yan-and-mineral-protocols/

 

[MightyMosin]

When doing sessions, I don't bother with staggered additions as the fermentation rate usually goes so fast that the recommended intervals don't work out so well. I usually just all them all in at the beginning so it is all front loaded and ready to go.

 

[JamieDanger]

Thank you all so much! So far I'm seeing some very small bubbles in the airlock so I'm hoping it's OK - for good measure I started a separate mead (with cinnamon and peaches!) in it as well, so hopefully I'll have a lot of mead, and worst case I'll just have some.
Thank you everyone for your insight! I'm sure I'll be asking more questions soon!