i've noticed that there are several belgerim brewers on here so i thought i'd do my part to annoy the experience pool (see: ask a question)
friend of mine and i recently tried our first batch of mead. all seemed to go well during the mixing and boiling and putting it in our brand spanking new carboy. but evidently it spent a week or more bubbling ever 10-15 seconds through the pressure release valve. and now (bit over a month later) smells exceptionally strong and is clear. he's been making beer for over a year now it was my first batch i helped with.
we used this recipe: http://www.blue-n-gold.com/halfdan/meadrecp.htm
added a bit more honey than it called for but only slightly 17 pounds as opposed to the suggested 16. and he decided to put in a couple whole oranges instead of just the rinds. which he said shouldn't have this much of an effect.
1. is this normal for mead?
2. if not does anyone have any ideas as to what went wrong or how to fix it?
editted to give more detailed info.