Measuring Specific Gravity

[Elip8332]

Hey guys, probably a question that has been asked a lot but... I'm brewing my 1st ever batch of beer. It's a Blonde Ale and the original gravity was 1.045. Tomorrow will be 2 weeks of fermenting so I took a reading and it was 1.019. After calculating it said my beer is 3.4% ABV. My fermenting beer still has some foam so isn't ready to bottle yet, I'll take another reading in a few days. Will my ABV% get any higher? It says its supposed to take a sample at 60 degrees but mine is at 64 degrees does that matter much?

 

[freisste]

It will likely get to a lower FG, which will up the ABV. I would expect (without knowing anything about the beer or process) to see an FG of about 1.011, which would've roughly 4.5 ABV.

Measuring at 64 rather than 60 will have a small effect. The liquid expands a little when heated and this is marginally denser than what you measured. I think the correction is 1 gravity point if you are off by 6 degrees. So expect something like 2/3 of a point higher than you measured.

 

[m1batt1]

Was your starting gravity where it should have been? If not did you add top off water? If not what was your ending volume compared to what it should have been?

 

[Elip8332]

Thanks I realized my hydrometer was touching the side of the tube I was measuring it in. I need to get a graduated cylinder as of now I'm using the tube the hydrometer came in. Was more careful this time and it gave me a reading of 1.011 so in a few days I'll check again to make sure.

 

[gr8shandini]

If you get the same reading in a couple of days, don't worry about the foam. It's an indication that fermentation occurred but not necessarily that it's ongoing. I've had a few batches that finished without the krausen falling back in. Your hydrometer will tell the tale.

 

[BigFloyd]

When you get a sample, let it sit on the counter 20 minutes or so. That gives it a chance to off-gas. Twirl the hydrometer around inside the tube as well. Otherwise, little bubbles can gather on the surface of the hydrometer and throw off the reading.