bobwantbeer
Well-Known Member
I'm having issues figuring out exactly when and how to use my hydrometer. I thought readings were to be taken from the carboy right before the yeast is pitched, when racking into secondary, and before bottling/kegging. I've been reading the board though and it seems like many people take readings during the mash and before the boil as well, and I'm confused about exactly which is supposed to be OG and FG and I'm just confused in general. My latest attempt was Bobby's All American Amber listed in the recipe database. The OG is supposed to be 1.052. The reading I took right before I pitched the yeast was 1.035. However, the hydrometer predicted a little under 5%abv which is what it should be in according to the recipe. Did I screw up the beer or not take an OG reading at the apropriate time?