Quick question about bacteria

[drunkmonkey]

Hey Gotmead forum!

After 6 months or so of waiting I finally bottled my first batch of mead and it tastes awesome!

One thing I noticed is a misty swirl in the bottom of some bottles, my question is:

What exactly does bacterial growth look like in bottles?

 

[akueck]

What exactly does bacterial growth look like in bottles?

Usually not a misty swirl in the bottom. ;D Usually a sediment at the bottom is attributable to leftover yeast or other normal solids suspended in the mead. You'd be surprised how much gunk can be in the liquid and it will still look crystal clear. The action of bottling might have gotten it to finally settle out; you might see the sediment layer grow with time.

Infections usually cling to the surface (where the air is). Sometimes there will be clumps, films, or ropes of slime protecting the colony.

 

[Medsen Fey]

And with bacterial infection there will usually be bad odors and off tastes.

 

[drunkmonkey]

FYI here is my haul ...

26 bottles ... 3 of which I drank the first day, good stuff.