The Forgotten Batch

[Meaadbrewer]

Hi Everyone,

I’m a Newbie mead brewer. I made a simple mead last September (first fermentation) and completely forgot about it.

Is the batch still viable? Can I rack it to a new container? The airlock is still in place but I don’t know if it has set too long and is bad.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Maylar]

As long as there's nothing funky growing in it, it's probably fine. Take a whiff, take a taste, and if all is well bottle it.

 

[Meaadbrewer]

Hi Maylar,

Thanks for the fast reply. This gives me hope!

 

[Mr impatient]

I opened a demijohn of sloe wine last week from 2001 wonderful stuff, tastes like cream sherry. I also re racked two demijohns of mead from March. As long as the airlock is ok and like Maylar said as long as there aint nothing growing on it it should be OK, One thing I have come across is that the sediment in Mead is so fine, I was going to bottle my mead but lifting it from the floor to the table (to elivate it so I can syphon it into bottles) has meant I re rack it and leave it on the table for another week for it to clear again. silly me, but everything is a learning curve.

 

[Meaadbrewer]

Thanks Mr. Impatient, I opened the top today, he water line for the air lock is a little low, but it does not smell “funky”, instead it smells like sweet beer. I’ve uploaded some images below.

There is a little something inside the airlock but I don’t know if that’s a concern.

 

[Maylar]

That looks fine, though after all these months I'd expect a "simple mead" to be clearer than that. Though without knowing your recipe, what you have now may be normal. I'd probably carefully rack it to another gallon jug and put it in a fridge for a couple weeks to see if it clears up any.

 

[slim49]

Well,
Its apparent it foamed over.
Gotta wash it out of lock, just a bug attraction.
The band of white cottny fluff floating thru the middle is a problem.
Research how to kill it.
Depends how much O2 got in, it may be best as vinegar.
Luck,
SLIM

 

[AkTom]

I too, would rack into another clean carboy and maybe put in the fridge. It should be clear not opaque. I’m guessing it will be fine or better.

 

[Mr impatient]

I did this with some rhubarb wine, it was crystal clear but by the time I got it on the table to syphon it, it was as cloudy as anything.

If yours was clear and now isn't because you moved it your in good company, like these guys say put it in yer fridge or away somewhere dark and cool where it can clear but not get forgotten.

 

[Meaadbrewer]

Thanks everyone for the input and evals! This was my first post and appreciate all the active members. Hope to posting more in the future!