question on my fg.

[basilchef]

The refractometer reads just over 6.5 brix and has been steady for two days. The beer was made 8 days ago (simple ipa). Should be lower. I tried rousing the yeast and upping temp but nothing is working. If i add more yeast do i risk over attenuation? I dont want it too dry.

 

[LAbrewer]

Use a hydrometer.

 

[daksin]

To elaborate, refractometers don't work once alcohol has been produced. Use your hydrometer and find out what the actual gravity is.

 

[BeerCrafter2011]

Refractometers do work with alcohol present, but you need to find the calculation to determine the actual reading in specific gravity. Someone has a spreadsheet out there. I know there are calculators that correct for fermented beer.

 

[BeerCrafter2011]

That being said, I would still use a hydrometer.

 

[basilchef]

I cant i dont have a test tube for a hydrometer sample.

 

[CityOChampBrew]

I cant i dont have a test tube for a hydrometer sample.

Buy one, they cost like 3-4 bucks

 

[IffyG]

Refractometers do work with alcohol present, but you need to find the calculation to determine the actual reading in specific gravity. Someone has a spreadsheet out there. I know there are calculators that correct for fermented beer.

http://onebeer.net/refractometer.shtml

There is a calculator that does the correction for you. It's not perfect, but it gets the job done.

Honestly, I've never understood the 'you have you use a hydrometer' for FG. Sure you have to use a hydro to know the exact value, but you can certainly tell if the beer is done (within a few points of FG) using a refractometer.

 

[basilchef]

Completely forgot about the alcohol veriable. When I originally looked at a chart it was for a pre fermentation brix to gravity conversion. Thanks for the posts, I'm right where I should be ''points" wise. Cheers