First batch newbie.

[Nixalot]

Howdy brew folk! I have recently delved into home brewing with my first ever batch of blackberry mead. It will have been actively fermenting for two weeks this coming weekend and I will then be out of town for about a week. Do any of you have reservations about leaving a brew with a fruit cap unattended for long periods of time? I have been gently swirling the must daily to keep the cap moist (because I heard or read somewhere it was a good thing to do), but that was before finding/joining this site, and I just want to make sure I don’t ruin my first batch by leaving it for an extended length of time without any watchful care.

 

[T Murph]

I also make Blackberry Melomels. No problem letting it go for up to a month. No need to swirl it, let it go else you can shock the yeast. At two weeks you should be getting constant bubbles. That will slow over the next week or so. Once bubbles slow to only a couple of bubbles per minute transfer to a secondary fermenter to clear and mature. Taste at that point to determine if that is the taste you are looking for. If not, ask for advise to achieve the result you are after.

I'm enjoying a 14 month old Semi dry sparkling Blackberry Melomel at the moment.

 

[pdhirsch]

Another consideration is that some strains of yeast have a reputation for not aging well on the lees. 71B for example is said to produce off-flavors if you leave the mead / must sitting on the yeast cake for a long time rather than racking to a secondary after the initial burst of fermentation has ended. But I don't think people usually start to worry about that until you're past the first month.

 

[Nixalot]

Perfect. I will let it ride until I get back and then check it. The bubbling has actually started slowing down a bit already from where it was at the end of the first week, but it’s still around a bubble every 6-8 seconds or so. It also seems that it may be beginning to clear up a bit, but it could just be my imagination. I’m really hoping it turns out good, but I do tend to like sweeter drinks, so I’m sure I will have further questions in the coming weeks. I will keep you guys posted and thanks for the feedback!