Is my mead infected? Help

[Jake Nelson]

this is a 6 gallon batch of candy cane mead. I made it about 2 weeks ago. It has formed these white bubbles on the top. Idk if it’s a infection?! The airlock is still bubbling. The OG was 1.122

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

Is it fuzzy looking?

 

[Yooper]

Maybe- I don't like the look of those 'bubbles', but otherwise it might be ok. What's the current SG?

The first thing to do if the SG is under 1.030 or so is to put it immediately into a proper sized carboy, with 0 headspace. Rack it into the new carboy into a mixture of 1 crushed campden tablet per gallon and a little of the mead, and make sure it's topped up to within an inch or two of the top. That would inhibit any oxygen loving bacteria or mold from taking hold.

If the SG is higher, you have a sluggish fermentation and you'll need to take some steps to get it moving before it does get infected.

 

[Jake Nelson]

Is it fuzzy looking?

No it is not fuzzy.

 

[RPh_Guy]

Welcome to HBT!

It's clearly a pellicle you have there.

Pellicles are formed by wild yeast and/or bacteria. It is not mold, and thus not dangerous to your health.

Yooper's advice is good: Make sure your fermentation is healthy. Reduce headspace and add sulfite. Standard procedure for inhibiting wild microbes.

Hope it turns out OK!