Mead clouded up again

  • 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.

Twofox

NewBee
Registered Member
Jun 23, 2010
45
1
0
Tucson, AZ
www.tucsonbrewclub.com
Hi all,

I have strawberry mead that's been aging for 8+ months. I had posted in another thread with questions as I was making it.

I had killed fermentation with sorbate, added campden tabs, and used pectic enzyme. I then fined with isenglass and racked to a 3 gal. carboy for aging. It was super clear. It was also rocket fuel. (I racked onto 9 lbs of strawberries before I realized I needed to kill fermentation!). So at this point I'm just adjusting the flavor to make it tasty :)

I back sweetened it a couple of months ago and it stayed clear. I took it out the other day to taste and possibly add some strawberry juice to it. For some reason I gave it a stir and.... ?!?!? It clouded up. Apparently there was sediment on the bottom.

Sorry for the long story, but I have a couple questions:

1. What could have caused it to generate sediment? Did the honey I back sweetened with drop out? Yeast should have been long gone dead.....

2. I plan to fine it again with Sparkeloid so I don't loose flavor. I'm thinking I need to add strawberry juice first? Or fine it first?

Thanks in advance!
 
I don't think I'd fine it again, I'd just let it sit for a couple weeks and then rack it, should return to just as clear as it was.
 
Things can drop out for a long time, even after fining and repeated rackings. I have a Mel that was a year and a half old, bottled it a couple of months ago after several rackings. It was clear as a bell when it went into the bottle, but when I checked them the other day they've all got an astonishing amount of sediment in them.

I feel your pain. :)
 
If all you did was kick up some sediment, it may well settle back out fairly quickly as the smaller particles might have bonded to the bigger particles.