8 replies to this topic

[Hooperjetcar]

SO I;ve become a lzy brewer ad usually don;t take gravity reading anymore. I thinkg the new bathc of pale alle is a bit strong though, as I feel wasther adn I just had 3 pints. Also thing need to go to bed now .

[Thirsty]

Nonsense. Sounds like yer beer is coming out just right w/o readings. Also seems like a shot-and-a-beer is a good idea!

[ChefLamont]

Nice thread drunkie I have the bad habit of taking the OG and not always taking the FG. So I know kinda what it should be but not exactly. Not a big whoop for recipees that I have done several times before consistently, but problematic for the new ones.Which reminds me. Obviously carbonation affects hydrometer readings, but would it necessarily affect refractometer readings? And if so, how and is there a correction equation?

[MoreAmmoPlz]

Judging by the spelling, structure, and punctuation of your post I'd say that you nailed your gravities perfectly.

Edited by OprFilth, 12 May 2009 - 05:06 AM.

[RommelMagic]

Judging by the spelling, structure, and punctuation of your post I'd say that you nailed your gravities perfectly.

Well put...

[Lagerdemain]

I haven't taken a FG in years. It just isn't important to me.

[ncbeerbrewer]

I can see there are not that many posts to this thread but I am intrigued by the amount of responses that have said I don't take FG readings. I am not one to judge but I figure part of the enjoyment of brewing is fermenting and at least getting a beer in the ballpark of where a FG should be. I don't really find taking a gravity reading all that challenging either. I had a California Common that I fermented with Wyeast 2112 a month ago. I fermented it at 60 degrees and left it there for 2 weeks. I figure at this point its done and check the FG. It was at 1.030 only have come down from 1.052. If I would have just transferred that beer and been done with it without checking I would have been upset. Oh well I know its homebrewing and you can do whatever you like but I guess I look at gravity readings as essential as checking your mash temps. Brew on!!

[Hooperjetcar]

Well I started this thread is something close to a drunken stupor, but I think that lack of gravity checks is one of those things that I know could improve my beer, but I still don't do. Started after I had broken my third hydrometer, and with the new hydrometer in hand, was cleaning the test tube and broke it. I just kind of said f-it. I am working on building a fermentation chamber, but basement holds pretty consistent temps between 55 mid winter and 70 mid summer, with only about 3 degree variation over any 24 hour period. So as long as temps are in range, I figure that I will end up close to target.However, I am guessing that I may have gotten a jump in efficiency (or lhbs mis-measured grain) pushing starting gravity up, leaving me with a slightly higher alc beer that I thought. Still tastes good though.

[Lagerdemain]

I can see there are not that many posts to this thread but I am intrigued by the amount of responses that have said I don't take FG readings. I am not one to judge but I figure part of the enjoyment of brewing is fermenting and at least getting a beer in the ballpark of where a FG should be. I don't really find taking a gravity reading all that challenging either. I had a California Common that I fermented with Wyeast 2112 a month ago. I fermented it at 60 degrees and left it there for 2 weeks. I figure at this point its done and check the FG. It was at 1.030 only have come down from 1.052. If I would have just transferred that beer and been done with it without checking I would have been upset. Oh well I know its homebrewing and you can do whatever you like but I guess I look at gravity readings as essential as checking your mash temps. Brew on!!

My beers always finish close enough to the gravity that I'm expecting that it simply isn't necessary for me to check. I honestly cannot remember the last batch I made that didn't finish where I expected (from a personal taste perspective, which is the only perspective that matters to me). I guess I don't need a hydrometer or refractomer to tell me what my taste buds will tell me anyway.