blkandrust

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The beer tastes sweet...to sweet to drink,actually.I am unaware of the formula that is needed when taking FG readings with a refrac.How do I do this?I have tried starters of various sizes in hopes that was the problem.Anywhere from a pint to over a liter.

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schweaty

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Beersmith has a conversion tool for this. Actually Beersmith has quite a few conversion tools that are great. I prefer to use the refractometer rather than hydrometer because you only need a few drops rather than a cup.

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SpanishCastleAle

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If you mashed too high then you'd have a lot of unfermentable sugars left in the beer and those are not that sweet. You'd have too much body/mouthfeel but it wouldn't really be too sweet.

If the yeast didn't 'finish the job' then you'd have a lot of fermentable sugars left in the beer and those are sweet. So if the beer tastes really sweet thern it's prob the yeast not finishing the job.

Since you said you make starters and aerate well and have been doing this for so long then it seems those aren't the problem. But something must have changed. What could possibly have changed?

What water do you use? Is it possible your tap water switched to chloramine instead of just chlorine?

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DNW

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So you've been using a refractometer for eight years and your beer has been fermenting down near 1.010? If so, then you do definitely have a problem with your process/fermentation. However, as others have pointed out, a refractometer cannot be direct read once there is alcohol in the mix. I know there are conversion formulas and a tool in Beersmith, but I have never had good success with it when I have compared actual hydrometer readings. I say you should at least take a hydrometer reading and be sure. The mind is a powerful thing, and your beer may be tasting sweet just because you think it is...

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Shooter

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If you do want to try using the refractometer there is a spreadsheet at Morebeer.com that can make the conversion for you.

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Randar

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If you know the OG you can accurately derive the fermenting or final gravity using a refractometer. Plenty of calculators around the webtubez to do it, too.

a10t2

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blkandrust: Have you checked FG with a hydrometer?

DNW, if you still have the data from those readings, would you mind taking a look at this? http://seanterrill.com/2010/07/20/toward-a-better-refractometer-correlation/

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blkandrust

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I have only been using a refrac for a few months..I was unaware that refracs cannot be direct read once alchohol is involved..

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Lady Astor-"If you were my husband,I would poison your drink"

Winston Churchill-"If you were my wife,I'd drink it"

blkandrust

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I'm brewing with well water.The same that ive been using from the beginning.I have not taken a hydro reading as ive been using my refrac.It has been brought to my attention that a refrac will not be accurate once there is alchohol involved.I am going to take a hydro reading and try the conversion formula for the refrac.Thanks a ton fella's for your replies.This site rules

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Lady Astor-"If you were my husband,I would poison your drink"

Winston Churchill-"If you were my wife,I'd drink it"

Shooter

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Yeah, I suspect that once you take a hydro reading you'll find it's quite a bit lower.

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