Homebrew ABV & Statistics Calculator
Unlock the secrets of your homebrew! This calculator helps you determine the Alcohol by Volume (ABV), apparent attenuation, real extract, and even estimated calories per pint for your beer. Understand your brew's characteristics and fine-tune your recipes for perfection.
Enter Your Readings
Understanding Your Homebrew Numbers
Brewing beer is both an art and a science. Understanding key metrics like Original Gravity (OG), Final Gravity (FG), and Alcohol by Volume (ABV) is essential for replicating recipes, troubleshooting issues, and consistently producing great beer. These numbers tell the story of your fermentation and the final characteristics of your brew.
Key Brewing Metrics Explained:
- Original Gravity (OG): Measures the density of your wort (unfermented beer) before fermentation. It indicates the amount of fermentable sugars available for the yeast to consume. Higher OG generally means higher potential ABV.
- Final Gravity (FG): Measures the density of your beer after fermentation is complete. A lower FG indicates that more sugars were converted into alcohol and CO2.
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV): The percentage of alcohol in your finished beer. It's calculated from the difference between OG and FG. The formula used here is a common approximation for homebrewing.
- Apparent Attenuation (AA): The percentage of sugars that the yeast consumed during fermentation. It's a good indicator of yeast health and fermentation efficiency.
- Real Extract (RE): Represents the actual amount of dissolved solids remaining in the beer after fermentation. It's a more accurate measure of residual sweetness and body than FG alone.
- Calories per Pint: An estimate of the caloric content of your beer, derived from the alcohol and residual sugars. Useful for tracking dietary intake.
Tips for Accurate Readings:
- Temperature Correction: Hydrometers are calibrated to a specific temperature (usually 60°F or 20°C). Always correct your gravity readings if your sample is at a different temperature.
- Sanitation: Ensure all equipment used for taking readings is sanitized to prevent contamination of your wort/beer.
- Degassing: Gently stir your sample to release dissolved CO2 before taking an FG reading, as CO2 bubbles can cause inaccurate readings.
- Consistency: Take readings at the same temperature and with the same equipment for consistent results across batches.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on standard brewing formulas. Actual results may vary due to factors like yeast strain, fermentation temperature, and specific ingredient variations. Always consult reliable brewing resources for detailed information and safety guidelines.