OatStraw

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Thanks dbrewski. After you add it how do you then calculate your final ABV %? Do you take an immediate gravity reading after the addition and then the FG, or is the calculation more complicated.

Finally, how much should I add?

dbrewski

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That was one thing I didn't worry about. I'm pretty sure you could estimate the added gravity, like sugar it almost entirely ferments. I would not add more than a half lb. Because it thins the taste. Good luck!

OatStraw

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Ok. So after reading I've decided to not do any pasteurization of the honey , but may dilute it in 4 cups of hot water to make sure it disolves in the primary. I will add #2 of it directly to the Primary (It's been in primary for 5 days) tonight, give it a few more days and then rack to secondary.

My question still is how do I measure the adjusted gravity/abv. I started with 1.032

Do I take another reading as soon as I add the honey and then that is my new Starting SG?

dbrewski

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That's why I didn't bother. I was only doing a half pound and figuring out how to calculate it after adding to secondary seemed a pain. For instance, you'd need to take a gravity reading before adding the honey to see how much had fermented out. That's part 1 of the gravity equation. Then you need to take a reading after you add the honey, and again when it is done fermenting, and that's part 2.

Meaning, the difference between start and adding honey will give you part of the reading, then the difference between the post-add honey and final gravity will give you the rest. This is the only way I can think of to accurately measure (vs. estimate) the added gravity/alcohol.

OatStraw

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OK Thanks. I'll make sure to take a reading before I add the honey.

OatStraw

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Here is what I have for readings after adding 2# of honey and 4 cups of water.

Honey with 4 cups of water was off the charts couldn't get a reading

OG = 1.033

SG Before Honey = 1.007
SG After Honey = 1.027

Does this make sense? Is there anyway I can predict what the FG should be?

dbrewski

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Looks like you've added 20 gravity points (1.007 to 1.027). I'm going to guess it's the same as if you had 20 more to begin with, or a starting gravity of 1.053. When it finishes, use that in your calcs. You will hit around 5% alcohol. I have to say that much honey will strongly affect the flavor...technically it might not be beer by definition but who knows? Might be tasty.

OatStraw

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Hmm. We'll see, I was going for a honey flavor anyways so it might turn out ok.

brewski08

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for those who are having trouble with their efficiency when mashing wheat, are you all adding rice hulls to your mash tun? i used to have efficiency issues with wheat, but once i started adding about .5 lbs of rice hulls, my efficiency increased significantly. something about the rice hulls prevent wheat dough balls from forming.

recipe sounds great though! the only thing i could suggest is adding .5 oz of orange with about 5 minutes left. this will give you a similar effect, and it'll also save you some oranges!

cheers

OatStraw

Recipes 

OK.

Can someone help with the final ABV and how I should calculate this. Here are the final results

OG = 1.033

SG Before Honey = 1.007
SG After Honey = 1.027

FG = 1.005

This is one way I saw to do it. Will this work?

1)take gravity right before adding honey = 1.006
2)take gravity right after adding honey = 1.027
3)calculate the difference and add that to original gravity = .020

Would this make my OG = 1.053?

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