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No Alcohol Content!

Mead
#1

Any help will be appreciated, this is my first attempt at making mead.
All the equipment was sterilized by the book, and the honey was not heated to obtain a homogenous liquid - lots of stirring.
I have a 5 gallon batch in its 3rd week of fermentation.
I used Lalvilin EC-1118, LD Carlson yeast energizer, and a recommendation of Wyeast Beer Nutrient.
The first week the alcohol content measured 5.5%, 2 weeks later I completed the first racking, after that the content dropped down to ZERO!
As an attempt to recover, I added 1 lb. of honey with the intention to see the alcohol content restart.
It’s fermenting, but still no “kicker” increase.

Presently it tastes like a bitter near beer.

Am I being too impatient?

#2

I’m not sure I understand this post. What are you measuring alcohol content with?

#3

My guess is that you’re looking at a triple scale hydrometer and are looking at the ‘potential alcohol’ scale. If that is the case you need to look at the other scale on your hydrometer and do a calculation to figure out actual ABV. Something like this: http://www.brewersfriend.com/abv-calculator/

#4

This will help.

http://www.howtobrew.com/appendices/appendixA.html
#5

Was your first (OG) reading 1.055 and your second (FG) 1.000 ? In that case you are a hair over 7.2%.
(OG minus FG) x 131 gets it pretty close.

#6

Thanks!
Flip hit the nail on the head, I was reading the triple scale alcohol content.
A beginners mistake I suppose. :oops:

The web links to conduct a quick calculation and pin down how to use a hydrometer helped me understand the simple gizmo.
Presently my mead is at 6.5% which leads me to think that my batch is not ruined. :smiley:

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