Is My Hydometer Reading Normal?

[michaelob]

this is only my second brew. On my first I was so worried about contamination that i forgot to take one. This time Idid but Idont even understand how to read it. My reading was two full lines above the 1.100 mark it was 80 exactly. its a honey amber ale. but if i spin it around to the alcohol percent it says over 10 percent seems kinda strong

 

[Yuri_Rage]

What was the recipe?

Best guess with no other details:
It could be that the honey and/or extract wasn't mixed completely, and your sample was heavy on sugar.

 

[michaelob]

honey amber ale recipe kit fom midwest

 

[jamesnsw]

It sounds like your Original Gravity was 1.080. That's in the higher ranges, but completely possible.

The Alcohol reading of 10% is potential alcohol- That means if every single bit of sugar ferments out, it will be 10%. It won't though. It's more likely you'll get somewhere around 8%, depending on your yeast.

Also, if this is extract, it may not have been mixed well enough, which would give you a skewed result.

 

[michaelob]

If it wasnt mixed well enough will i still be able to drink it?

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Don't worry, the yeast know what to do.

 

[LSDracula]

I've only made 30 gallons of brew so far. I drink so much on brew day that I always forget to do a gravity reading.
I use this site
http://beercalculus.hopville.com/recipe
It has been accurate enough for me on the last few batches.
provided you use lively dry yeast or make a starter for liquid yeast it should finish where it should be.
Always remember RDWHAHB!
Happy brewing!