Here's a new one for me. I recently checked the gravity readings of my beer before I kegged it and it gained almost 2 hole percentage points in ABV... it went from about a 4% isn ABV to a 6% ABV. Any thoughts on why this happens?
Opps, I checked my sheet again, and it was supposed to be 5% ABV not 4. So it went up almost 1.14% from last nights math problem. But today when I tried it with the long equation doing (OG-FG)131, it equaled
5.74%
.75 lbs Caramel/Crystal 80L
.75 Special B
.75 Special Roast
.75 Victory
.80 Honey
.85 Chocolate
6.25 2 row
I have been using a hydrometer for both my OG and FG. We haven't purchased a refractometer yet because we don't have the money for it right now. I also tend to use BeerSmith to help figure out estimated ABVs and the works
OG was supposed to be about 1.054, and I hit that, but my FG was supposed to be 1.016 and I hit a 1.010.
After last nights attempt with a quick ABC calculator, I just tried the long form with the equation (OG - FG)131 and I got 5.74%.
As for the Keg question, those readings occurred before it was even kegged. I haven't had any keg issues.
I'm using a calibrated hydrometer that reads at 60 degrees F. I did do equations but I think the calculator on the internet was the problem. I'm sticking to the long hand method, seems more accurate.