I started my 8th batch of mead on 1/1/15.
I started by making a decoction of several roots and herbs. Astragulus, fo-ti, echinacea, burdock, eleuthro, saw palmetto berry, star anise, hawthorne berries and nettle leaf. This made a strong tea that I used as a base in which I dissolved my honey. I used only 3/4 tsp of nutrient over each of the first 4 days, because I imagined that the "tea" was going to contribute nutrients and I wouldn't need to add as much.
Recipe:
Total batch volume = 5.5 gallons
OG = 1.120 @ 80 degrees
Yeast = D47 5 grams activated in 105 deg water for 1/2 hour and producing bubbles
pH = 4.77
I kept the ferment intentionally cool, because I have read that it produces a smoother end product. Since D47 is said to have a tolerance down to 50 degrees, I kept it between 58 -62. It started up within a day and a half and was eating the sugars away steadily for the first two weeks during which time I aerated twice a day minimum. After two weeks it was down to 1.084 gravity. Now over the last 3 days, the gravity has not moved and the airlock activity is weak at best. The current pH is 4.65. I just added a Tsp of nutrient and aerated fearing this is the problem. I thought it was OK since I am still just short of the 1/3 break.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I started by making a decoction of several roots and herbs. Astragulus, fo-ti, echinacea, burdock, eleuthro, saw palmetto berry, star anise, hawthorne berries and nettle leaf. This made a strong tea that I used as a base in which I dissolved my honey. I used only 3/4 tsp of nutrient over each of the first 4 days, because I imagined that the "tea" was going to contribute nutrients and I wouldn't need to add as much.
Recipe:
Total batch volume = 5.5 gallons
OG = 1.120 @ 80 degrees
Yeast = D47 5 grams activated in 105 deg water for 1/2 hour and producing bubbles
pH = 4.77
I kept the ferment intentionally cool, because I have read that it produces a smoother end product. Since D47 is said to have a tolerance down to 50 degrees, I kept it between 58 -62. It started up within a day and a half and was eating the sugars away steadily for the first two weeks during which time I aerated twice a day minimum. After two weeks it was down to 1.084 gravity. Now over the last 3 days, the gravity has not moved and the airlock activity is weak at best. The current pH is 4.65. I just added a Tsp of nutrient and aerated fearing this is the problem. I thought it was OK since I am still just short of the 1/3 break.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
