Coopers European Lager Bottled @ 1.035

[zebede]

Hello all,

I have possibly made a big mistake!

I have followed the instructions for my beer and after 7 days took measurements on 2 consecutive days and both days got a steady 1.035. The instructions did not give me a 'target' measurement so I bottled it.

I have since been reading on forums and noticed lots of people quoting measurements much lower than this!

Have I made a fundamental mistake or do these kits vary?

I am very certain of my measurements because I used a refractometer to measure which is much more precise (I keep Marine fish as well and you use these to measure the salt content of water).

Any suggestions?

 

[darrenwest1]

it does seem very high
i am sure someone will be allong to confirm this
and what was the temp you checked it at

are you aware that temp alters the reading

 

[darrenwest1]

looking on line it should have a final gravity around 1016

 

[zebede]

It was the Coopers European Lager.

And temperature wise it would have been 20-21 C. But this shouldn't matter too much as Refractometers have Automatic Temperature Control.

In fact.. Thinking about this, as Hydrometer's are temperature sensitive then maybe I need to find a conversion rate to check between temperature adjusted and a standardised reading!

This may be a big panic over nothing!

Me thinks I will use the Hydrometer from now on!!!

 

[Aleman]

I am very certain of my measurements because I used a refractometer to measure which is much more precise (I keep Marine fish as well and you use these to measure the salt content of water).

Any suggestions?

You cannot use a refractometer directly to determine gravity of beer wort once the yeast have started to produce alcohol as alcohol is optically active and affects the reading, making it appear higher than it actually is there are plenty of calculations out there that allow you to calculate the current reading while fermentation is under way . . . but you need to know the starting gravity before the yeast is pitched.

Incidentally ATC on a refractometer is designed to compensate for the difference in ambient (of the refractometer) from it's standardised temperature (20C) . . .not for the sample being measured. This is easier to see when using hot wort . . . put the drop on . . . take a reading . . .wait 30S and take a second reading . . . they will be different (The second one will be higher).

 

[darrenwest1]

here are the calculators you will need bud

calculators.php

 

[shearclass]

i have some Coopers Euro lager in bottles now. It's my 2nd attempt at kit brewing.

My OG was 1.036, FG, 1.005, so your FG of 1.036 does seem high. I am a total newbie however, so it is likely that I have done something wrong.

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]