2014 batch 3: Bochet (9) - Bottling the Blackberry Bochet

So, when I cannot bottle my currant mead, I will just start bottle the Blackberry Bochet instead.

Same procedure. Washing bottles.

This "Double Blast" bottle cleaner is worth its weight in gold. Also the "Fast Rack" frame in the back fits perfectly for my choice of bottles. The bottles were also sprayed with Star San and then rinsed again.

Alle the gear was lined up

All clean and ready

The bottles were filled with my trusted siphon. Unfortunately I did not get a picture.

Placing the black heat shrink capsules on top of each 0.5L bottle. This is also a presentable way of hiding the silver colored screw cap :o)

Shrink the capsules in slow boiling water. A quick dip in the water is enough to get the tight seal. Just remember to use a glove to protect the hand, and a tool to hold the capsule in place. I am very fond of my bent knife - works very well.

The bottles were cleaned to get rid of spots and finger prints. Then the bottles were labeled. Using my primitive set-up to put the label in the same position, just adds a more appealing look to the bottle.

and voila!

2014 batch 2: Currant mead (14) - Still does not clear up

I was actually planning on bottling my currant mead but it does not clear up. So I started shopping for equipment to try filtering the mead

I will try to push the mead over the filter using vacuum on the collector side rather than pressurizing the mead. to push it through the filter. The idea is that it would be less risky to remove air/CO2 from the mead by vacuum rather than increasing the amount of air (+ air pollutants) by pressuring the mead

The inspiration I got from YouTube. Here is part 1:

And here is part 2:

I like the concept of filtrating the mead rather than using clearing agents. For removing particulate matter you can use 5µm or 3µm filter. Using 1 or 2 µm filters will remove yeast cells. Finaly, for sterilization you can use a 0.45 or 0.22µm filter will also remove bacteria cells too.

What you use will depend on what you wish to remove, and how much material you expect to remove, and how will you want to remove it. Smaller pore sizes will result in higher back pressure, and as the material is trapped in the filter the pressure/vaccum needed to move the mead through the filter must be increased.

I have no issues with un-wanted organism, so I will go for just removing particulate matter, and/or yeast cells - but it depends on which filters I can get my hands on. :o)

I have started shopping for the process. It is quite amazing what you can get on ebay and aliexpress from China for hardly any money when it comes to electronics and wires etc. :o)