I don't take gravity readings anymore

[stevedasleeve]

I like to know but don't stress too much - sort of in between. That said I am also perhaps too fastidious! I take a pre-boil sample, cool it, measure it with the hydrometer then calibrate my refractometer to it. After that I use the refractometer to measure the gravity immediately before transferring into the carboy. I usually dilute with 1-4 qts of very cold water to up the volume to 6 gallons and to cool the wort down quicker and so I can leave more cold break/hops sludge.

I always take a hydrometer reading before kegging so I can know the ABV, and to taste the beer before aging it. I never take a reading during fermentation - I just leave it for 3-6 weeks to do its thing, and you know it always does!

 

[petep1980]

I drink waaay too fast so I need to know when I hit FG immediately so I can clear the beer up and keg and drink waaaay too fast.

 

[screamingcities]

Whoa... I took a gravity reading yesterday. I'm really glad five angry monkeys didn't kick my ass.

Guess I lucked out on that one. :cross:

 

[audger]

I like to know but don't stress too much - sort of in between. That said I am also perhaps too fastidious! I take a pre-boil sample, cool it, measure it with the hydrometer then calibrate my refractometer to it.

you should really instead calibrate your refractometer to zero with regular ole' water. who knows if your hydrometer isnt completely accurate. ive had one before that read 1.002 in H2O@70F. the only thing holding the paper scale in the tube is a drop of glue that some guy in some 3rd world country eyeballs in there.

as for the OP- that is fine not to take readings as long as you dont care about ever being able to replicate a beer. however if you brew something that is fantastic, its going to be difficult to do the exact same thing again if you have no idea what the first one was. you can try and shoot from the hip and just remember what you did... i dont know about you, but my memory fades quickly after a batch is consumed.

ps- if you get a low OG it can be fixed. just throw in some DME. its kind of cheating, but if you want to keep the alcohol/hop profile of the recipe, a little light or extra light DME wont change the taste too much and can get you a few extra grav points.

 

[ArcLight]

For Extract brewing, if you follow directions, there probably is no benefit to taking an original gravity, since its given to you.

Reasons to take a final gravity -
1. you get to taste the beer. Maybe it was contaminated and tastes horrible. You may still bottle it, but you will be far less likely to expect anything drinkable. Better to know that now than in 6-8 weeks.

2. if you are off, you want to be aware of that and figure out why. You can still enjoy the beer, but maybe you can improve your process.

3. avoid bottle bombs. 1.022 FG + priming sugar may be an unpleasant surprise.

 

[PGHBrew]

To me, measuring gravity is one of the fundamental testing/measuring/quality control tools that a brewer has. I've always seen it a a gauge for brewing methods and practices rather than a nuisance.

I see measuring temperature along these lines as well. I don't think most brewers neglect to take a temp reading during a mash or sparge. I personally take too much pride in making my beer, especially if I'm serving it to others, to neglect such a fundamental parameter of the beer. I'm not saying you can't make consistent or good beer not measuring gravity, I just can't wrap my head around purposely not taking gravity readings. Not trying to be an EAC, just stating my POV.