How to boost the % of my brew

[occy96]

Hey all I'm new to brewing even tho I have been doing it for some time. I measured my last batch ( tedds pale ale) and it was only 2% and need help/ advise to get my percentage up any help is much appreciated

 

[porterpounder]

Alcohol percentage is based directly on the amount of sugar converted to alcohol. If you want to boost the ABV use more fermentables, i.e. more malt, malt extract, fruit or even plain sugar in lower amounts than the others. It also depends on your process. If you jumped right into all-grain brewing then you'd need to take a look at how much malt you're using and your mash temp.

 

[occy96]

Cheers mate the brew I've got on now is great bitters with the Australian bitters dextrose 1kg it's about half way through fermentation can I still add more fermentables ?

 

[brewprint]

You want to get a beer that has already fermented up? Or are you wanting to know what to do for your next batch?

 

[Pkrd]

How are you determining that its 2%?

 

[occy96]

Hydrometer

 

[occy96]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1434711257.551888.jpg

 

[brewprint]

Cheers mate the brew I've got on now is great bitters with the Australian bitters dextrose 1kg it's about half way through fermentation can I still add more fermentables ?

I see. I posted too soon.

Sure throw some sanitized (boiled lme or dme or sugar) fermentables in there. Although are you certain it won't reach the correct FG if you leave it alone?

 

[Pkrd]

So are you reading 2% directly off the hydrometer or are you calculating it from gravity readings?

 

[occy96]

2% straight off the hydrometer I haven't learnt how to calculate the gravity yet

 

[Pkrd]

OK. If you're following the recipe its hard to get a beer that low in alcohol. Your beer is probably fine.
You take the original gravity reading when you put it into the fermenter (typically around 1.050), and another one a few weeks later when fermenting is finished (typically around 1.010). Use a calculator like this:
http://www.brewersfriend.com/abv-calculator/

 

[theseeker4]

2% straight off the hydrometer I haven't learnt how to calculate the gravity yet

OK, that means your beer is NOT 2%. The only way to get the alcohol percentage is to take an initial specific gravity reading, before fermentation begins, and another after fermentation is complete, and calculate the alcohol by volume from those two numbers. The formula is (original gravity - final gravity) x 131.25 = ABV% Use the scale on the hydrometer in the 1.000 format, so something like (1.052 - 1.010) x 131.25 = 5.5% ABV.

You can estimate the OG if you didn't take a reading then, by telling us the ingredients you used, and your final volume of wort in the fermenter, but to be accurate, you need to take a reading before and after fermentation.

 

[occy96]

Cheers fellas

 

[BowAholic]

find some instructions for reading a hydrometer. The scale for beer is not the one you used... it's simple to do once you know how. Your hydrometer may have instructions or you can watch a you tube video.
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/media/pdf-printouts/how_do_you_take_a_hydrometer_reading_1.pdf

 

[occy96]

Cheers mate my hydrometer had introductions in it

 

[occy96]

Last thing guys can I add more sugar half way through fermentation

 

[andrewmaixner]

Last thing guys can I add more sugar half way through fermentation

You could, yes. I've made simple syrup to add as it dissolves more easily, with less stirring than crystalized sugar. Don't overdo it though, or you won't get the beer that you want. Even belgian golden strong generally won't exceed 2 or 3lb sugar per 5gal beer.

 

[occy96]

I've got 25l with one kg of dextrose what do you suggest I add?

 

[SwissRico]

I *think* you're reading the potential alcohol which means you have a gravity of around 1.015.

http://www.home-winemaking.com/images/hydrometerus1.jpg

is this before you've pitched your yeast, or after it's finished brewing?

(if your original gravity -before you added the yeast- was 1.05 your beer is now 4.6%, if it was 1.06 it's 5.9%)

what were your ingredients ? I'm sure someone could estimate your OG for you.

 

[m00ps]

just to be clear, in order to determine the %abv of a beer, you need the gravity BEFORE and AFTER the yeast has done its thing. So thats one hydrometer reading before pitching yeast and another right before bottling. plug those into an online calculator (or memorize whatever formula) and youll have the %abv. If you didnt get a reading before pitching yeast, then you cant get the abv, just remember next time

That being said, you certainly can add additional sugars to boost the abv, but just adding dextrose or cane sugar will dry out the beer. I do this for all my IPAs and Belgians, but for some styles, adding a significant protion of sugar will really hurt the final proudct, making it sort fo watery. If anything, I'd dissolve some DME in water, boil it, cool it, and add that to the fermentor

 

[SwissRico]

a final gravity of 1.015 could just mean your beer is finished

 

[madscientist451]

Hey all I'm new to brewing even tho I have been doing it for some time. I measured my last batch ( tedds pale ale) and it was only 2% and need help/ advise to get my percentage up any help is much appreciated

The best thing to do is to check out the free version of the book "how to brew"
by John Palmer:

http://www.howtobrew.com/

 

[occy96]

Hey guys I've just made another brew and measured the mix and it came out as 130 dose this sound right to you just checking

 

[SwissRico]

could you take a photo of the hydrometer ? I'm not sure what 130 relates to. A gravity of "1.030" in your wort before pitching the yeast may be a little low.