Can't figure my alcohol %

[StainlessBrewing]

OG was 1.038 65-70 degrees It was at the 5% potential alcohol level
FG 1.060 75 degrees

Did I take a wrong measurement?

I'm guessing right around 5% but I can't tell if it's 5.1 or 5.5 or whatever

 

[JetSmooth]

When did you take that OG measurement; before the boil (and evaporation)?

It shouldn't have gone up.

Going to need a lot more deets.

 

[SoonerDoc]

Did you mean FG 1.006?

 

[StainlessBrewing]

Right before I pitched the yeast. Maybe 5% is 1.138?

 

[StainlessBrewing]

Did you mean FG 1.006?

Maybe...... I'm such a noob!

 

[Yooper]

An easy formula for ABV% is (OG-FG) x 131

In your case, it's not possible to have a FG of 1.060, so we are assuming you meant 1.006. If that's correct, the formula would be (1.038-1.006) x 131 = 4.19%.

 

[StainlessBrewing]

Is that normal for a blonde ale?

 

[StainlessBrewing]

An easy formula for ABV% is (OG-FG) x 131

In your case, it's not possible to have a FG of 1.060, so we are assuming you meant 1.006. If that's correct, the formula would be (1.038-1.006) x 131 = 4.19%.

How did you get that?

 

[StainlessBrewing]

Ahh just found what it should be. I wonder why it dropped?
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/aitdownloadablefiles/download/aitfile/aitfile_id/1451/

 

[StainlessBrewing]

How did you get that?

is it always x 131?

 

[Bopper]

is it always x 131?

Yep. (OG-FG) *131 = Approx ABV. This will work all the time assuming you get accurate gravity readings.

 

[prosper]

also - completely ignore the 'potential alcohol' markings on the hydrometer, they're meaningless

 

[bob1852]

Ahh just found what it should be. I wonder why it dropped?
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/aitdownloadablefiles/download/aitfile/aitfile_id/1451/

It's quite possible that you wort wasn't thoroughly mixed and therefore your actual reading was not completely accurate.

That happens a lot with extract kits.

Or, you had too much wort (i.e. it was diluted).

Or, your hydrometer may not be accurate.

 

[StainlessBrewing]

I bet it was me not reading correctly, thanks everyone.

 

[azscoob]

The formula for the ABV% of a blonde ale is (OG-FG) x 131, if you were trying to figure it out for say, a robust porter, you would need to follow this formula: (OG-FG) x 131

Have you verified the calibration of your hydrometer yet? check it in 60° distilled water, it should read 1.000.

 

[jgln]

OG was 1.038 65-70 degrees It was at the 5% potential alcohol level
FG 1.060 75 degrees

Did I take a wrong measurement?

I'm guessing right around 5% but I can't tell if it's 5.1 or 5.5 or whatever

I thought your question was about the temperature effect on SG and it being different when you took readings was throwing you off. Not so?

 

[jgln]

also - completely ignore the 'potential alcohol' markings on the hydrometer, they're meaningless

Why so?

 

[StainlessBrewing]

The formula for the ABV% of a blonde ale is (OG-FG) x 131, if you were trying to figure it out for say, a robust porter, you would need to follow this formula: (OG-FG) x 131

Have you verified the calibration of your hydrometer yet? check it in 60° distilled water, it should read 1.000.

I will try that, thanks.

 

[StainlessBrewing]

I thought your question was about the temperature effect on SG and it being different when you took readings was throwing you off. Not so?

I have a Dopplebock I need to make and will double check the measurements next time.

 

[jgln]

I have a Dopplebock I need to make and will double check the measurements next time.

Thanks for the reply but I don't think that really answered my question. Yeah, next time dopple check.