maybe jumped in too fast?

[Tadnitro]

So today i decided to try my hand at Mead for the first time, and I'm not certain i should have- not before doing my homework. I used a basic 'pumpkin spice' recipe, modified to 3lb/gal clover honey, one cinnamon stick, and a Tblsp of pumpkin pie spice. i made a one gallon batch Og 1.10 using Lavalin 71B-1122 yeast. im curious, what should i do about nutrients, if anything? is there an off the shelf blend i can use, and when should i use it. im kind of a dummy with this, so any direction is appreciated.

 

[Goofynewfie]

You could add some chopped raisins, I have heard of others using banana peels but it will leave a bit of the flavour behind

 

[jtratcliff]

You check your LHBS for "yeast nutrient" and "yeast energizer"... Typically it's a mixture of DAP,dead yeast, and other stuff that yeast need to do well in nutrient poor environment like honey.

For meads you often see a staggered nutrient additions recommended(SNA). 1/3 at initial pitch, 1/3 at the 2/3 sugar break, 1/3 at the 1/3 sugar break. So if your initial must was OG 1.100, you add nutrients again at 1.066 (the 2/3 break, i.e 2/3 of the sugar is left) and again at 1.033 (the 1/3 break).

 

[fatbloke]

You check your LHBS for "yeast nutrient" and "yeast energizer"... Typically it's a mixture of DAP,dead yeast, and other stuff that yeast need to do well in nutrient poor environment like honey.

For meads you often see a staggered nutrient additions recommended(SNA). 1/3 at initial pitch, 1/3 at the 2/3 sugar break, 1/3 at the 1/3 sugar break. So if your initial must was OG 1.100, you add nutrients again at 1.066 (the 2/3 break, i.e 2/3 of the sugar is left) and again at 1.033 (the 1/3 break).

Mostly not added at the 2/3rds point, unless it's "organic", like yeast hulls or FermaidO (as different from the FermaidK).

There's some academic info out there (damned if I can find it again......) that says about working out the total nutrients material needed for the batch, and up to 85% of that can be added up front (there's controvesy to that, as there is also info that says anything containing DAP, shouldn't be added until there are signs of active ferment), then the rest should go in by the time it hits the 1/3rd sugar break.

Generally, if the instructions for the nutrient/energiser/whatever say something like 1 tsp per gallon, then if it's put in before the yeast is pitched, then you will usually have minimum problems.......

 

[Tadnitro]

Thanks for the info, I'll stop by the LBS today, and see what they have available.

 

[Tadnitro]

ok, degassed, and added nutrient and energizer, all seems well. thanks for the help- wanted to avoid that stressed yeast vomit smell that ive had from a couple batches of cider.