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Beer/Specific gravities

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Expert: - 2/9/2005


Question
Hi Alan,

We just made a batch of McEwan's No. 1 Champion Ale.  The FG was supposed to be 1.022 and it is currently at 1.010.  I don't really understand the science behind the specific gravities, but am curious if signals a problem with this batch.  What does the lower gravity indicate?  

Thanks Alan,
Jeff

Answer
Jeff,

I would really need to see the grain bill to determine what you should have gotten.  I have found mistakes in several books which lead to a lower grain bill and thus a lower original gravity.

If the recipe stated a 1.022 OG and you actually got a 1.010 gravity that would give you about a 45% efficiency rate.  Most home brewers get around 75%to 70% efficiency if they are lucky.  If you send the recipe I can give you the actual yield to expect.  Your target OG seems real low.  If you got a 1.022 and went to a the average of 1.013 you would have 1.125% alcohol.  That is to low.  Since you actually started at 1.010 even if you get down to zero (which would be impossible since that is what water is) you would only have  1.25% alcohol by volume. This is to low.

Please send me the recipe and the method used to brew, i.e. malt, all grain, kit, Mr. Beer.  This is has to be something wrong.  I would also take a ready of your water.  It should be zero or just below around .001


Alan

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Alan Ward

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I am a home brewer who has been brewing since 2000. For us brewing is a family activity with everyone helping in some small way. We brew mostly all grain batches, but we do some kits. I have built all of our equipment. We bottle and keg. Drop us an line, we will be glad to assist with answer or help you find where the answer is. In October 2008 we opened the Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School at the Texas Renaisance Festival. This is a unique brewpub and teaching facility located on the grounds of the Texas Renaissance Festival in Plantersville, Texas. To our knowledge we are the only functioning brewpub located on the grounds of a renaissance festival brewing using both period specific equipment and modern equipment to brew hand crafted ale and then serving it back to the public. Where we offer hands on training and live period appropriate all grain brewing through out the day. Drop by and we will be glad to answer any question you have. You can checkout the brewery at www.brigadoonbrewery.com or follow on twitter@brewschool.

Experience

Home brewing since 2000. Started with a Mr. Beer kit and worked our way up to all grain.

Former chemistry and physics teacher.

Education:
Bachelors Arts Teaching; Master Instructional Technology
Currently the Managing Member and Brewmaster for Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School.

Organizations
Master Brewers Associaiton of America Texas Craft Brewers Guild American Home Brewers Association Brewers Association

Education/Credentials
Bachelors in Sports Medine from Sam Houston State University Masters in Instructional Technology from American Intercontinental University

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