I have 2 apple meads that just won't clear naturally

  • PATRONS: Did you know we've a chat function for you now? Look to the bottom of the screen, you can chat, set up rooms, talk to each other individually or in groups! Click 'Chat' at the right side of the chat window to open the chat up.
  • Love Gotmead and want to see it grow? Then consider supporting the site and becoming a Patron! If you're logged in, click on your username to the right of the menu to see how as little as $30/year can get you access to the patron areas and the patron Facebook group and to support Gotmead!
  • We now have a Patron-exclusive Facebook group! Patrons my join at The Gotmead Patron Group. You MUST answer the questions, providing your Patron membership, when you request to join so I can verify your Patron membership. If the questions aren't answered, the request will be turned down.

McJeff

NewBee
Registered Member
May 17, 2013
1,095
1
0
Farmington, Maine
Nothing special about the recipe..

9/10
5 gallon batch
10.5 yellow transparent apples
11lbs wildflower honey
Pectin enzyme overnight
Rehydrated and pitched kv1116 next morning and staggered dap/fermk over next 3 days with aeration.

9/18 slight stir to degas

10/6
Cold crashed, racked stabilized, oaked

11/6
removed oak and another slight stir to degas

After typing this out I'm obviously being a touch impatient ;)

But since I've got you all here, what helps apples clear faster? How do I figure out what kind of particles are "hanging around" and not clearing
 
It can really only be 2 things:
1. Pectin haze - I know you added pectinase, but was it fresh? How much? You might need new/more.
2. Yeast - To speed up yeast flocculation, you can add a clearing agent like SuperKleer. Or you can cold crash in the fridge. Or you can add SuperKleer then cold crash if you are really impatient.


Better brewing through science!
 
I usually add 1/2 tsp per gallon pre fermentation. Never tried it after the mead was done fermenting was under the impression it didnt work well in the presence of alcohol. Does the stuff go bad? i just store it at room temp in a zip lock bag :(
 
Last edited:
I guess ive just been really lucky with stuff clearing normally and havent thought about using anything to help it along. Do you find any off taste from the clearing agents? Is super kleer a "natural" chemical or is a man made kinda thing?
 
I had a crabapple wine that hadn't cleared after a year, added bentonite to the batch and it was clear by the next morning. When it works, it works really well :)
 
I use SuperKleer almost exclusively now but before I used to use gelatin. Neither promotes any off flavors. On the contrary they can help "clean up" the flavor by removing most of whatever is suspended in the wine/beer. Yeast has flavor y'know! However, as often as not, it has no effect on flavor at all.


Sent from my galafreyan transdimensional communicator 100 years from now.