Hydrometer Reading

[SmoothSmoke]

I just took a hydro reading. I believe it's 1.012 Is that right? Also, how can I find out the stats of my beer. Like ABV, and color. The OG was 1.048

 

[SledgeH]

You're correct. There are calculators online. Don't forget to adjust your OG and FG to temperature.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

You're correct. There are calculators online. Don't forget to adjust your OG and FG to temperature.

Cool, thanks! Just found the temperature adjuster online. 1.0489 to 1.0129

 

[sweed]

OG - FG x 131 will give you ABV.

Ex 1.050 OG - 1.010 FG x 131 = 5.24% abv

 

[ajf]

OG - FG x 131 will give you ABV.

Ex 1.050 OG - 1.010 FG x 131 = 5.24% abv

Sorry to nit pick, but the formula should be (OG - FG) x 131
i.e. (1.0489 - 1.0129) x 131
= 0.036 x 131
= 4.7% ABV

-a.

 

[Maddoghoek]

I like to use http://www.brewersfriend.com/abv-calculator/. The alternate calc is apparently more accurate for higher gravity beers.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I'm at 4.7% ABV. Kind of disappointed as the real SN Pale Ale registers at 5.6%. Not that I'm looking to get buzzed, but I was hoping the kit would be a real clone.

 

[tre9er]

Have you been stable at 1.012 for 2 or 3 days? Did you bring the temp up slightly near the end of ferm? You can swirl the vessel a bit too to get some yeast back into suspension. If you have time to wait a few more days to see if FG drops, that is.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Have you been stable at 1.012 for 2 or 3 days? Did you bring the temp up slightly near the end of ferm? You can swirl the vessel a bit too to get some yeast back into suspension. If you have time to wait a few more days to see if FG drops, that is.

I just checked today for FG. I will check again on Saturday and if stable will proceed with bottling. Well that was the plan.

I have kept the fermenter at 68F most of the time. So should I swirl it around or just let it ride?

 

[tre9er]

I just checked today for FG. I will check again on Saturday and if stable will proceed with bottling. Well that was the plan.

I have kept the fermenter at 68F most of the time. So should I swirl it around or just let it ride?

Just saying I would think it would attenuate a little more but hard to say why it didn't. It's remotely possible it could start back up a little if you give it a swirl. Check FG 24 hours after swirling and if it hasn't changed, it's probably not gonna.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Just saying I would think it would attenuate a little more but hard to say why it didn't. It's remotely possible it could start back up a little if you give it a swirl. Check FG 24 hours after swirling and if it hasn't changed, it's probably not gonna.

Thanks for the help! I'll give it a whirl today and check the FG on Saturday when I plan to bottle. I'm thinking the FG didn't drop down because I used dry yeast and didn't do a starter. It's my first batch so I was clueless.

 

[sweed]

Sorry to nit pick, but the formula should be (OG - FG) x 131
i.e. (1.0489 - 1.0129) x 131
= 0.036 x 131
= 4.7% ABV

-a.

PEMDAS... I should have remembered, but it was a quick example :cross:

 

[tre9er]

Thanks for the help! I'll give it a whirl today and check the FG on Saturday when I plan to bottle. I'm thinking the FG didn't drop down because I used dry yeast and didn't do a starter. It's my first batch so I was clueless.

Dry yeast has tons of cells and doesn't need a starter. If your ferm temps were controlled it should have attenuated quite well. What yeast was it? US05? Nottingham? Those yeasts chew up sugars like mad, so I'd expect you to be below 1.012 with a starting OG in the 1.04X range. I usually finish at or below 1.010 with US05.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Dry yeast has tons of cells and doesn't need a starter. If your ferm temps were controlled it should have attenuated quite well. What yeast was it? US05? Nottingham? Those yeasts chew up sugars like mad, so I'd expect you to be below 1.012 with a starting OG in the 1.04X range. I usually finish at or below 1.010 with US05.

It was Safeale US05 for a Sierra Nevada clone.

 

[Kealia]

Was that an extract batch, all grain or a partial mash?

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Was that an extract batch, all grain or a partial mash?

Extract, here is the link.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/documentation/beerkits/SierraMadre.pdf

If 1.012 is indeed the FG, anything wrong with bottling it?

 

[SledgeH]

There is no problem with bottling it at 1.012 if it remains at 1.012 for 3 days or so.

 

[Kealia]

1.048 to 1.012 is 75% apparent attenuation. US-05 is a "medium" gravity finisher so that's about spot on. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if it's done but wouldn't be surprised if you gained a few more points, either.

 

[tre9er]

I just always finish lower than that on US05 from that starting gravity, especially a dry pack with so many cells, with good ferm temp control. I usually expect to be below 1.010