Calculate IBU after boil vs what my software says?

[robertvrabel]

Is there anyway to actually test the IBUs of a beer after its made, vs what my software says? I'm just curious how much utilization I'm actually getting with different methods. Mainly tossing the hops straight into the boil vs bagging them in the boil.

 

[remilard]

Sure, send it to a lab that offers such services (White Labs does). You are probably looking at $30 per sample give or take.

If you have a local brewery with a lab, and you get real friendly with them, you might get them to do a few for free.