apple-honey-butter-mead/schedule.md

Schedule — Apple Honey Butter Mead

Batch started: 2026-08-29 15:29 EDT
Elapsed time uses pitch/mix time as T+0. Reminders are set for 9:00 PM EDT where practical.

Elapsed time	Calendar date/time	Reminder time	Task
T+0h	2026-08-29 15:29 EDT	now	Brew day / mix / OG / pitch. Record apple juice, honey, volume, temperature, and gravity.
T+24h	2026-08-30 15:29 EDT	2026-08-30 21:00 EDT	Check active fermentation, gently degas if active, add ~3.75–4 g Fermaid O if appropriate.
T+48h	2026-08-31 15:29 EDT	2026-08-31 21:00 EDT	Degas gently and add ~3.75–4 g Fermaid O.
T+72h	2026-09-01 15:29 EDT	2026-09-01 21:00 EDT	Degas gently and add ~3.75–4 g Fermaid O.
Delayed fermentation / repitch check	2026-09-03 21:00 EDT	2026-09-03 21:00 EDT	Jason deferred again on 2026-09-02 because he could not repitch that night. Check for fermentation signs; if none, repitch yeast. Hold Fermaid O until activity is established.
Delayed Fermaid O addition	2026-09-05 21:00 EDT	2026-09-05 21:00 EDT	Fermentation appears underway based on alcohol aroma on 2026-09-03. Jason could not add Fermaid O on 2026-09-04. Gently degas and add ~3.75–4 g Fermaid O if fermentation is active/healthy; do not add multiple catch-up doses.
T+~120h / delayed sugar-break check	2026-09-06 21:00 EDT	2026-09-06 21:00 EDT	Gravity/sugar-break check. For OG 1.120, 1/3 sugar break is ~1.080. Add final/next ~3.75–4 g Fermaid O only if fermentation is active and still before/near sugar break.
Delayed Day 10	2026-09-10 21:00 EDT	2026-09-10 21:00 EDT	Gravity/temp check; note aroma, bubbling, and taste if sampled.
Delayed Day 14	2026-09-14 21:00 EDT	2026-09-14 21:00 EDT	Gravity/temp check; evaluate progress toward dry/stable.
Delayed Day 21	2026-09-21 21:00 EDT	2026-09-21 21:00 EDT	Gravity/stability check; decide whether more primary time is needed.
Stability checks	TBD	TBD	Confirm gravity is stable across readings several days apart before racking.
Rack to secondary	TBD	TBD	Rack only after fermentation is substantially complete/stable. Prefer a 5 gallon carboy, or rack the best 3 gallons to the 3 gallon carboy and use the extra separately.
Secondary week 1+	TBD	TBD	Airlock, clarity, sediment, aroma checks.
Stabilization	TBD	TBD	Stabilize only when finished and stable, dosed to actual volume.
24h after stabilization	TBD	TBD	Bench trials + backsweeten/flavor.
Flavor integration	TBD	TBD	Taste/check gravity/renewed fermentation.
Bottling readiness	TBD	TBD	Bottle only when stable and clear enough.