Traditional batch Help needed

[floridian]

Hey Everyone, I've had this batch of traditional clover/wildflower mead fermenting/aging for 3 months now(3 months and still the water level on the pressure cap changes every time I look at it-Does this mean its still fermenting?). Second question is it still looks relatively cloudy even after the racking.
Here's My recipe: (3 gallon batch) aging for just over 3 months now
Brew Date: 11/06/2013
Walmart Honey GRADE A(unfortunately processed): 5lb 12oz
Wildflower Honey(organic and raw): 3lbs
1 packet of Lalvin Yeast EC-1118

Gravity after first Racking: .990(tasted dry, very smooth, didn't taste the alcohol but it hit you and you could smell/taste it on your breath)
-apologies in advance I didn't take a gravity reading in the beginning due to the fact that I didn't have a hydrometer.

Any input on what needs to be done? Or should I do nothing at all?

 

[floridian]

Photo of batch

The Darker one is the present image of the mead, the lighter one is after I first racked it.

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

 

[mannye]

.990 is probably finished or very close. You racked off the gross lees already, so you're in good shape. You may want to rack it into something smaller or somehow reduce the amount of headspace so you can bulk age it and allow it to clear.

Alternatively, if you're like me and you like what you're tasting, put one gallon away for a long age under an airlock then hit the rest with Super Kleer and start boozing like a boozy boozehound!

 

[floridian]

Thanks!

Whats super clear? and how much should I use?

Also, how do I calculate the alc %? my hydrometer reads 0...

 

[fatbloke]

Whats super clear? and how much should I use?

Also, how do I calculate the alc %? my hydrometer reads 0...

I understand its 2 part finings. We don't have the same product here but there is an equivalent - you just follow the pack instructions generally and it drops any sediment in a matter of days.

for your strength calc, usually you need start and finish gravity, the difference/drop will convert directly to a % ABV........

 

[GntlKnigt1]

I use super clear. It's a liquid....actually 2 liquids.... used to clarify wine and mead. Instructions on the packet, but you 1 package is good for a 5 gallon batch. You add 1 liquid from half the pack, and an hour or so later, add the second half. Results usually in a day or 2, although I had one batch of fresh fruit plum wine that it took a couple weeks to clarify.

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/super-kleer-kc-finings.html

 

[floridian]

Will it do anything to the taste or flavor?

 

[GntlKnigt1]

Ive never noticed a change in flavor....havent heard of any reports from anyone else.... But everyones taste is different.

Sent from Arthur Dent's towel smothering a volume of Vogon poetry, some of which just leaked out.

 

[floridian]

Alright cool, thanks guys!

 

[mannye]

Super Kleer is the best thing since glass carboys. It didn't change the flavor at all. I wait about a week (which is 4 days because I can't stand it!) and then rack and filter. You can skip the filter though. It is VERY clear after a few days.


Sent from my galafreyan transdimensional communicator 100 years from now. G

 

[floridian]

How do you filter your mead?

 

[GntlKnigt1]

I don't ....neither do most meaf makers.....there are a few exceptions.

Sent from the Nexus of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy which has been infected with Vogon poetry, some of which leaked out here.

 

[GntlKnigt1]

The Darker one is the present image of the mead, the lighter one is after I first racked it.

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

I don't ....neither do most mead makers.....there are a few exceptions.

Sent from the Nexus of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy which has been infected with Vogon poetry, some of which leaked out here.

Sent from the Nexus of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy which has been infected with Vogon poetry, some of which leaked out here.

 

[mannye]

Yep. I am one of those exceptions. I filter with a Vinbrite at the moment but I also have my old beer filter setup that uses a canister and a plate filter. Those others are waiting to be activated once the brew room is complete.


Sent from my galafreyan transdimensional communicator 100 years from now. G

 

[floridian]

Gotcha, one last beginner question here...I just racked off the mead after adding the super clear and letting it sit for several days, and accidentally sucked up some of the sediment...was crystal clear but now its cloudy again. Do the super clear chemicals stay active in the brew? How long do you have to wait on avg?

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

 

[floridian]

Or better yet are there any tricks to getting that silt to settle back down faster?

 

[GntlKnigt1]

Usually patience, with a dash of time will get that to settle out again. Should only be a day or 2...4 at most.

 

[mannye]

If you have super Kleer in there, what he said. Relax. Next time don't be so greedy. The mead gods punish you for getting too close to the lees like a reverse Icarus.


Sent from my galafreyan transdimensional communicator 100 years from now. G

 

[smertz001]

If you have super Kleer in there, what he said. Relax. Next time don't be so greedy. The mead gods punish you for getting too close to the lees like a reverse Icarus.

I say, be as greedy as you want! But stop racking into the main carboy before you hit the lees, and put the rest into a soda bottled, so the lees settles down into the feet of it, and you can rack it out again easily not disturbing too much of it!

 

[floridian]

Thanks guys! I was so pissed at myself once I had disturbed the lees...I need to get a better auto siphon clip to hold it in place during racking.