Can/Should I change the yeast in my Mead?

[bamajo]

Hello, I have a question about some mead I started about 36 hours ago.
My starting gravity was 1.130 and I pitched the D47 yeast about 24 hours ago. There is a little foam on top but no vigorous fermentation occurring. I'm worried I may have messed up by using the D47 yeast since it tops out around 14%ABV. I do not really like sweet stuff so I'm thinking about pitching montrachet. Would this cause any problems trying to get a more dry mead? Also can anyone tell me if the mead will be fairly sweet or more on the dry side if the D47 goes to completion and I don't add montrachet? thanks!

 

[bernardsmith]

The potential ABV is about 17% and D47 could hit that mark..I don't know how well Montrachet plays with other yeasts.. but if you find that D47 quits too soon you might at that point pitch a champagne yeast. They are designed, are they not, to prime sparkling wines after the wine has been fully fermented so they are quite comfortable being pitched into a mead or wine that is already up there in ABV .

 

[CKuhns]

I have had D47 hit 16+ with a good SNA protocol and I do typically target an OG of 1.125 (Not too far off from where your at.) - Wait it out but watch for a "stall" at about 2/3 sugar break. (I no longer use D47 as I have had a few stall out.)

See where it ends up, then if too sweet add something like EC 1118 or another champagne yeast to chew through whatever residual sugar if any is left.

 

[Maylar]

D47 is an active competitor which means it'll kill most any other yeast you pitch. Montrachet is neutral and may survive, I dunno. But it's only 15% so you'd not be getting much more from it.

If you feed nutrients to the D47 at 1/3 and 2/3 sugar break and keep the yeast in suspension (stir every day) it's quite possible for the D47 to exceed its published limit. Also keep it below 65°F else it likes to make fusels.

 

[bamajo]

Thanks for all the help! It has been a little over a week and it is still bubbling. SG reading today was 1.040 and I transferred it from primary to secondary. If it stops I'm gonna pitch the EC118.