Alcohol content help required

[genesis_uk]

Hi there,

new member here.
I have successfully brewed 3 lots of real ale and am really pleased with the results. However i am having difficulty in getting an accurate reading for the approximate alcohol levels.
What is the best way of getting an accurate content reading?

Thanks in advance

 

[Wez]

You need to take a reading with a hydrometer before you pitch yeast (Original Gravity or OG) and a reading at the end of Fermentation Final Gravity (FG) you then subract the latter from the former and divide by 7.46

So..

OG 1.050
FG 1.010

(drop the 1.)

50 - 10 = 40

40 / 7.46 = 5.3%

or use the forum calcs calculators.php?#ABV

:thumb:

edit - welcome to THBF

 

[corby_brewer]

if you take a hydrometer reading at the start of fementation and the another at the end, then use the forum calculator to work out the ABV.
E.G -
SG - 1.040
FG - 1.010

will give you 4% ABV

 

[evanvine]

Thanks for your use of (7.46) Wez!
I now know there is at least one other that uses the same factor! (very pleased)

 

[genesis_uk]

Thank you guys,

I knew there must be a simple(ish) way....!! :thumb:

 

[Aleman]

What is the best way of getting an accurate content reading?

The only way to get an accurate alcohol content is to measure it with an ebuilliometer . . . all the other methods using (OG-FG) (Times or divide) some constant is merely an approximation.

 

[Beer Belly]

What happens if you take the OG after you've added the yeast?

 

[Moley]

What happens if you take the OG after you've added the yeast?

Depends on the time between the two. A few hours won't make any difference, the yeasties take a bit of time to get going.

 

[Beer Belly]

ok thanks. I've done it a few mins after adding yeast