Elderberry Mead

[Landon Sharp]

I did a mason jar batch a while back that didn't taste good at all, I didn't like the honey that I used but the honey I used this time tasted good so well see! I also added elderberry jam and some other spices. Might have went overboard on the nutmeg had a strong odor but I figured it needed a lot for a gallon.

 

[Blacksmith1]

I am impressed with the acurate measurement of "a few sprinkles"
Gotta ask, is the 1.141 actually your predicted ABV or your OG?

 

[CKuhns]

1.141 Assume that is your Original Gravity. (OG) not ABV - ABV = Alcohol by volume. With that said. 1.141 OG is doable but up there a bit. Seriously consider aerating or at least stirring 2x's a day for the first week and adding some nutrients.

 

[Landon Sharp]

I am impressed with the acurate measurement of "a few sprinkles"
Gotta ask, is the 1.141 actually your predicted ABV or your OG?

I think it's a Midwestern thing the measurements that is lol. And 1.141 is the OG I accidentally put ABV.

 

[Landon Sharp]

1.141 Assume that is your Original Gravity. (OG) not ABV - ABV = Alcohol by volume. With that said. 1.141 OG is doable but up there a bit. Seriously consider aerating or at least stirring 2x's a day for the first week and adding some nutrients.

What kind of nutrients? Also to aerate do I just let air in then shake it a lot? Also are you suggesting the aeration because of the amount of sugars I have in it?

 

[CKuhns]

Nutrients - I would suggest Fermaid-O or Fermaid-K and DAP (Diamonium Phosphate) - For Fermaid-K / DAP look up TOSNA 2.0 and for Fermaid-O look up TOSNA 3.0 calculators.

Not really based upon your OG it is just a good practice in general. Aerate / mix the yeast cake 2X's a day until 1/3 sugar break. For your OG of 1.141 the 1/3 break = a SG of 1.094. Stir with a sanitized long handled spoon or just shake it a bit with the air lock and bung off 2Xs a day. Yeast require or do better with air to reproduce / bud in their aerobic phase prior to going anaerobic. At 1/3 sugar consumed or there about they go anaerobic and no longer require air to produce alcohol and CO2.