Some weird growth

[matasanos]

Hey guys, I'm making my first batch of mead, and all was going pretty good, until today when I noticed this growth in the second fermentator, I think it's mold or some kind of fungus, and that my batch it's ruined, any help 4 the newbie

The recipe was a simple one, just honey and water.... Thx fellows

 

[brewingmeister]

When you say second fermenter do you mean you have two meads going or that you racked to secondary? It looks pretty clear, just trying to figure if it has fermented out or not. There does appear to be some sort of fungus growing in that Mr beer though.

 

[Goofynewfie]

What yeastdid you use? Did you sterilize your container? Was water boiled?

 

[gratus fermentatio]

Does it look dry & powdery? If so, that's one of the indicators of "Flowers of Wine."
From Jack Keller's site:

"Flowers of Wine: Small flecks or blooms of white powder or film may appear on the surface of the wine. If left unchecked, they grow to cover the entire surface and can grow quite thick. They are caused by spoilage yeasts and/or mycoderma bacteria, and if not caught at first appearance will certainly spoil the wine. If caused by yeast, they consume alcohol and give off carbon dioxide gas. They eventually turn the wine into colored water. The wine must be filtered at once to remove the flecks of bloom and then treated with one crushed Campden tablet per gallon of wine. The saved wine will have suffered some loss of alcohol and may need to be fortified with added alcohol (brandy works well) or consumed quickly. If caused by the mycoderma bacteria, treat the same as for a yeast infection. The Campden will probably check it, but the taste may have been ruined. Taste the wine and then decide if you want to keep it. Bacterial infections usually spoil the wine permanently, but early treatment may save it."

Hope that helps. Regards, GF.