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SG and brew times

Barrel Char Wood Products

Juliemac

NewBee
Registered Member
Aug 9, 2010
22
0
0
Amsterdam NY
I started a batch with

12lbs of honey
I bottle of Molasses
2lbs strawberries
2lbs blue berries
KV1116 yeast.
Water to fill a 5 gallon primary.

After a week, added the following
2lbs strawberries
2lbs blue berries

My SG started at 1.085 and 2 weeks later, removed the stockings containing the berries, reached 1.005.

Its still bubbling away, a bubble every 5-7 seconds.
How long will this continue? I have a 5 gallon carboy ready to take the primary, but not sure when to do it.
 

kudapucat

NewBee
Registered Member
Dec 2, 2010
2,383
10
0
Bundoora, Melbourne, Australia
This will ferment to below 1.000 probably 0.995
It will be very dry.
Allow it to sit, undisturbed, for a few days yet, then rack it into smaller vessels a 4 gal would do nicely if you have one.
Rack it into secondary ensuring there is as little head space or air-gap possible. Then fix an airlock again just in case.
This won't be ready to bottle for another 12 months at least I'd guess.

The above is assuming you wanted a dry mead, and didn't want to attempt backsweetening.
 

Juliemac

NewBee
Registered Member
Aug 9, 2010
22
0
0
Amsterdam NY
Ok. I have a glass carboy with stopper and an airlock.
Once transferred, I have some distilled water that I can top off the carboy.
Sound reasonable?

We are heading into fall here in the NE of the US. Cooler nights.
What about placing the carboy outside during the cooler weather to cause the particulate to drop?
 

mmclean

Honey Master
Registered Member
Jul 22, 2010
1,135
2
38
Tennessee Valley
Yes, but I would add honey water myself so as to not dilute the mead.

And yes, just make sure to cover so as to block all light.
 

Chevette Girl

All around BAD EXAMPLE
Moderator
Lifetime GotMead Patron
Apr 27, 2010
8,443
53
48
Ottawa, ON
Whenever I top up something that's recently been racked from primary and need to make up headspace, I like to use the same proportion of honey I originally used in the batch (I guess how much water I'd need to fill the space, take a little less than I think I need, then add honey until I get the right SG). It will temporarily raise the SG but should ferment out as long as your yeasties are still doing their thing, you're diluting it with the correct amount of sugar to make up the same amount of alcohol you're displacing. Or at least that theory makes my brain happy. :)
 
Barrel Char Wood Products

Viking Brew Vessels - Authentic Drinking Horns