30.2 Calculating the alcoholic strength
- Measure the OG within one hour of collection*
- Wait until fermentation is completed - for cask-conditioned beer this will be after secondary fermentation in the casks, then
- Measure the present gravity (PG) (also known as the specific or final gravity)*
- When you’ve taken your readings, calculate the alcoholic strength using the formula, (OG - PG) × f = a% ABV, where: * OG is the original gravity of the beer * PG is the present gravity of the beer * a is the beer’s alcoholic strength * f is the factor connecting the change in gravity to alcoholic strength. The value of ‘f’ is not constant because the yield of alcohol is not constant for all fermentations. In lower strength beers, more of the ‘sugars’ available for fermentation are consumed in yeast reproduction than in producing alcohol. The table at 30.3, produced by the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, shows the changing value of ‘f’ depending on the alcoholic strength of the beer
*Use a suitably calibrated saccharometer adjusted for the temperature of the representative sample.
30.3 Value of factor ‘f’ for various alcoholic strengths
(OG - PG) | % ABV | Factor |
---|
Up to 6.9 | Up to 0.8 | 0.125 |
7.0 - 10.4 | 0.8 - 1.3 | 0.126 |
10.5 - 17.2 | 1.3 - 2.1 | 0.127 |
17.3 - 26.1 | 2.2 - 3.3 | 0.128 |
26.2 - 36.0 | 3.3 - 4.6 | 0.129 |
36.1 - 46.5 | 4.6 - 6.0 | 0.130 |
46.6 - 57.1 | 6.0 - 7.5 | 0.131 |
57.2 - 67.9 | 7.5 - 9.0 | 0.132 |
68.0 - 78.8 | 9.0 - 10.5 | 0.133 |
78.9 - 89.7 | 10.5 - 12.0 | 0.134 |
89.8 - 100.7 | 12.0 - 13.6 | 0.135 |
The table indicates that for the majority of popular UK beers, the factor for calculating the estimated strength would lie in the range 0.129 and 0.130. For strong beers (exceeding 6% ABV), the factor would be in the range of 0.131 - 0.133. Whilst it is important that the correct value for ‘f’ is used, you should be aware that this table is primarily for your guidance. Some brewing methods and materials can affect the factor. If in any doubt you should seek more advice - see below.