Question about my first brew and its OG and FG

[BStim]

So I picked up the Milky Way Stout kit from hombrewusa and had no issues throughout brewday that I can recall. However my OG was a bit low at 1.53 and my FG was 1.32. This is also the first time I am using a hydrometer so I think I am reading it correctly, but I tried the brew and no way is it pushing the 27% ABV brewersfriend is telling me. Can anyone clue me on onto where I went wrong?

Thanks,

Brian

 

[sputnam]

the OG is probably 1.053 and the FG should be somewhere around 1.02something. Me thinks you are omitting a 0

 

[Brian77095]

What were the readings you were suppose to get?

My first brew I did not mix my wort and the added water (to get to 5 gal) well enough so I got a low reading on my OG.

One thing you can do to make sure you are reading it correctly is measure water. It should read 1.0. Also temperature can play a big part in the reading.

Hope that helps!

 

[Mike_kever_kombi]

27% abv. Nice










See post above

You should be reading it as ten fifty three and ten thirty two. Not one fifty three and one thirty two.

When you start talking ten ninety or One one/ one ten, you are reaching imperial strength and barley wines.

 

[dkevinb]

I agree that you're probably missing a 0: OG = 1.053, FG = 1.032. But even so, an FG of 1.032 is very high. How long did you let it ferment?

 

[McKnuckle]

1.032 is unfermented beer. Wort by another name. Hope it's not bottled yet!

 

[eadavis80]

Yes, your FG should be at least 1.025 before it's even close to done. How long has the beer been fermenting. Most extract batches finish between 1.020 and 1.010. Each beer is different and some beers have sugars which are non-fermentable, like lactose, so while it will add to the OG, it will not be converted by the yeast, thus having a higher FG. For example, a chocolate stout might have a FG of 1.021 (like mine does), but the beer is done fermenting. I know that by taking hydrometer readings a few days apart. When it reads the same number on say a Friday as it did on the previous Wedesday, the beer is done. Plus, some yeast consume more sugars than others. To figure out your ABV, which I can't fathom is really 27% you take your OG and subtract from it your FG and then take that difference and multiply it by 131.5. That number will give you your beer's ABV. Good luck

 

[BStim]

It stayed in the secondary for 10days (directions said 7-10days), but it has a bit of a plant/green flavor too it might be a bit under done. Its bottled now and even after 5 days that 'green' flavor is all but gone. All that being said, it is my first and it is good(enough for me). next time I will take the reading for a few days at the end of the projected secondary time and let that decide when it is done. Thanks for the advice.