Recent content by BendBrewer

no, it's just that a lot of people don't know that you have to do some conversion with the refractometer reading on fermented wort and are left assuming their beer finished too high. Wouldn't have been the first time if this was the case, that's for sure. Just throwing it out there.

you want it cooler than 58?

It means more of the sugars were fermentable and were. End result is a drier (less sweet) ale with more alcohol than expected. I wouldn't worry about it. If you like it you like it.

About the same............

A copper manifold works for me and is a pretty cheap and quick way to go about it.

You got it. Even longer for some Ales. I ferment for a month when my pipeline is full.

You can throw those instructions away at this point. Minimum 2 weeks. Trust us.

You get a refractometer for Cristmas by chance?

That is your Starting or Original Gravity. Write it down. Your reading after fementation will be your Final or Terminal gravity. These numbers will allow you to determine your alcohol content.

I wouldn't worry about that and besides, it against the rules to worry. You'll enjoy your first batch and you'll be bummed that you don't have more of it.

Simple math. 5.5 gallons x 48 = 264 points 264 / 6.5 = 40.6 or 1.041 ish

Yeah, more or less.

take the reading where the liquid touches the hydrometer at the surface.

If you have gone so far as to put ball valves and brewmometers on your rig then I suggest getting a sight glass for your HLT at least. I get by without an additional one on my kettle. Accurate early measuring and math is accurate enough for me in terms of kettle voule.

I'm sure there are but you can just do the math and convert any recipe to any size batch.