Hydrometer - Wine & Beer

Glass Hydrometer

A hydrometer is a device that is used by home brewers to measure the specific gravity of a liquid.

This measurement gives you an idea of the potential alcohol content of your homebrew wine, beer or cider.

Fermentation is when the yeast eats away at the sugar content available and the by-product is alcohol (ethanol).

It is useful to write down the specific gravity reading of your homebrew before you sprinkle on your yeast.

Once fermentation has finished (bubbles have ceased) take a hydrometer reading & write it down.

If the reading is the same for the next 2 - 3 days, fermentation has finished and you can bottle/keg your homebrew.

Using your beginning specific gravity reading & the ending gravity reading you can work out the ABV of your brew.

How to Take a Hydrometer Reading

• Fill a tall, narrow container with the liquid you want to measure.
• Gently place the hydrometer into the liquid, making sure it floats freely and doesn't touch the sides of the container.
• Read the scale on the hydrometer where it meets the surface of the liquid.
• This will give you the alcohol content as a percentage by volume.
• Rinse the hydrometer with water and dry it before storing it for future use.