Finished beer is kicking my .... Rear

[MrTux]

So, I am using an extract kit called a machinac red. White labs yeast, Amber LME, crystal hops. Brewing went well and had no issues during the cook process. The recipe called for using only 2.5 gallons of water during the cook and add the final water at the end right before adding to the carboy. My OG read 1.36. Got worried and askd a question here and everyone agreed... Don't worry and add the little beastly yeast. So I fermented, put in my keg, carbonated, and I GOT BEER!
That being said my FG was 1.004. This had me really worried. That meant I would be ending up with a ABV of 3.63% after calculating for temp.
So, I'm thinking well, I got about five gallons of weak beer but it tastes good. Screw it, I'm drinking it. So I pour myself a cold one, (my keg cooler is 34*), and viola ... Cold beer. But wait what is this? I'm getting hammered after my first beer!?! I even asked my friend to taste and he agreed that was some powerful stuff. But the taste is soft and mouthy.
So the questions, is there anyway to test ABV? Where did I go wrong on my calculation?
TIA

 

[Devilsnight]

post the recipe up. did you get the 1.036 reading at room temp. or was that stright out of the boil kettle maybe?

 

[BrewSRQ]

Assuming you are talking about the AIH kit, which seems to describe your procedures, I would assume that the OG reading was off. As devilsnight said, the temp of the sample must be factored in and there are calculators for this. However, since it is a kit, I would most likely just use their suggested OG if you hit the right volume. If the FG was accurate at 1.004 and the OG can be assumed to be 1.053, you are looking at a 6.4ish ABV beer.

 

[azscoob]

I looked at the recipe and got an expected OG OF 1.053, and with your FG at 1.004 you would be at 6.3-6.4% beer

If you didn't mix the hell out of the wort after adding the post boil water you will likely get a low reading, the wort is heavier than the water so the water stays towards the top giving you the low OG reading you got.

 

[RM-MN]

They are right, your beer isn't a low alcohol beer at all. I've also found that home brewed beer seems to have more "kick" than a comparable ABV commercial beer.

 

[MrTux]

The OG was taken after the chiller did its work @ 70*. The recipe said the OG was supposed to be 1.053 and a final around 1.020 I didn't stir the wort very well which is why I believe the OG was off. I was just curious if there is a way to get the ABV reading after completion. I thank you all for the help though. Look forward to my next batch.

 

[frazier]

The way to get an ABV is to do the math: ABV = (OG - FG) x 131. There's no way to read it directly, at least not without expensive equipment and/or time-consuming hassles - and who wants that?

When you add top-up water to an extract batch, it is almost impossible to completely mix the heavy wort with the water. Just hit your volume numbers, and let the recipe tell you the OG. Later, when you switch to all-grain, your readings will be more accurate.

Cheers!

 

[stevehardt]

Might also be wise to calibrate your hydrometer.

 

[tag0304]

Somewhat new, but isnt it possible to calculate Approx. ABV and OG using a current Brix and current gravity? Assuming he had access to a refractometer.

 

[Yooper]

Somewhat new, but isnt it possible to calculate Approx. ABV and OG using a current Brix and current gravity? Assuming he had access to a refractometer.

Not if you don't have the original gravity, as the calculation requires that.

 

[tag0304]

Not if you don't have the original gravity, as the calculation requires that.

This one doesnt. I was told that was a neat thing you could do with a refractometer. That and a hydrometer will give you OG and ABV without any prior measurements.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/refractometer-calculator/

 

[tag0304]

Just realized the calculator is in Beersmith as well so can use. Unsure on accuracy but others say it will get you close.

 

[rodwha]

What I do to help mix my wort with top off water (I use 1 gal in a 5 gal batch) I pour about 1/2-2/3 of what I assume I'll need in first and pour the wort on top figuring, like priming solutions, it will help mix it fairly well just from the pouring, but still stir the heck out of it prior to whipping with a whisk to aerate followed by more stirring prior to adding the rehydrated yeast and stirred once more.