OMFG! - (Oh My Final Gravity, and Other Stuff)

[GuingesRock]

Does anyone know where I can get a FG hydrometer in Canada? MoorBeer has them in the US but their only shipping option is over $30.

I've been using a simple hydrometer up until now. I'm getting a refractometer to use for OG measurement (using Brix > OG conversion chart/tool) but I've read that calculators for converting OG + brix reading of fermented beer to FG are spurious and not accurate.

Is that the best way to go? (refrac. + FG hydrometer)

[Juniper Hill]

I've got a +5 to -5 brix hydrometer, I think it is the same as you are describing Mark. Got mine from Watson's Winery Supplies in Niagra, Ont. It's $22.50.

[AllanMar]

The problem with refrac is usually the scale on the actual device (if it has SG), because they use a linear conversion. Charts/calculators should be accurate. Refract are nice, but i'd still want (and do take) a final OG hydrometer reading.
EDIT: I see you meant for FG on re-read. Yea I wouldn't use a refract for FG.

I'll never go back to the cheap hydrometers (sets of 3 with better resolution are the way to go). You can get decent ones from Winemakeri in sackville (theyve changed their site, but you can order direct from them) they're marked in SG also.
For example (they have other ranges): http://www.winemakeri.ca/Wine_Beer_Hydr ... /16114.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nash also had a source for a really nice set, which I like/use a bit more (in Plato tho), with built in thermometer (and calibrated at 20deg vs 15deg).

[GuingesRock]

Thanks.

[GAM]

I think I have a Plato one I got from Greg's group buy.

Remind me and I'll give it to you.

Sandy

[evanisnor]

Are these shorter than regular hydrometers?

Mine always bottoms out in my cylinder during an FG reading. I have to resort to a disturbing amount of maneuvering with my wine thief to get something reasonably accurate. Sad to hear that refracs aren't appropriate for FG as well...

[AllanMar]

Are these shorter than regular hydrometers?

Mine always bottoms out in my cylinder during an FG reading. I have to resort to a disturbing amount of maneuvering with my wine thief to get something reasonably accurate. Sad to hear that refracs aren't appropriate for FG as well...

They're longer. Sounds like you need a larger cylinder!

[evanisnor]

It's the plastic one that Dave sells. C'mon, Dave! What the hell!!!!!

[GuingesRock]

I think I have a Plato one I got from Greg's group buy.

Remind me and I'll give it to you.

Sandy

Only if you are not using it Sandy. I'd love to have it, but in trade for the keg you are getting.

Thanks.

[Keith]

I think I have a Plato one I got from Greg's group buy.

Remind me and I'll give it to you.

Sandy

Only if you are not using it Sandy. I'd love to have it, but in trade for the keg you are getting.

Thanks.

Mark,
Kids have all kinds of Playdough. Just gimme a keg of American wheat before say Nov 15th.
With your past success I say you are a strong contender for Big Spruce, but won't stop me from trying my best .

[GuingesRock]

That wheat beer, I sent it to two competitions that were going on at the same time. I got my score sheets back from Winnipeg already. Two judges scored it, one with a score of 25/50 and one with a score of 29, they didn't like it, too hop forward for style, not enough wheat. You can easily beat that.

That same beer got a silver at the other comp. I don't have the sheets back but they must have liked it better.

I said before, you make great beer and I think you' will do very well with your beer if you start sending it off. I wouldn't be surprised at all if you got the Big Spruce thing. It's brewer enthusiasm that's the key to good beer, and that's what Keith does best.

[Jimmy]

Nash also had a source for a really nice set, which I like/use a bit more (in Plato tho), with built in thermometer (and calibrated at 20deg vs 15deg).

The saccharometer sets that Nash ordered in for us are great.

[jacinthebox]

That wheat beer, I sent it to two competitions that were going on at the same time. I got my score sheets back from Winnipeg already. Two judges scored it, one with a score of 25/50 and one with a score of 29, they didn't like it, too hop forward for style, not enough wheat. You can easily beat that.

That same beer got a silver at the other comp. I don't have the sheets back but they must have liked it better.

I said before, you make great beer and I think you' will do very well with your beer if you start sending it off. I wouldn't be surprised at all if you got the Big Spruce thing. It's brewer enthusiasm that's the key to good beer, and that's what Keith does best.

Thats crappy...hop foward seems to fit well in that style (american wheat anyway)

[Keith]

Low to moderate whatever that means.

[GuingesRock]

That wheat beer, I sent it to two competitions that were going on at the same time. I got my score sheets back from Winnipeg already. Two judges scored it, one with a score of 25/50 and one with a score of 29, they didn't like it, too hop forward for style, not enough wheat. You can easily beat that.

That same beer got a silver at the other comp. I don't have the sheets back but they must have liked it better.

I said before, you make great beer and I think you' will do very well with your beer if you start sending it off. I wouldn't be surprised at all if you got the Big Spruce thing. It's brewer enthusiasm that's the key to good beer, and that's what Keith does best.

Thats crappy...hop foward seems to fit well in that style (american wheat anyway)

That's what I thought too. I think the judge was thinking of a weizen and colluded with the other guy ...maybe ...who knows. You win some, you lose some.

[LeafMan66_67]

Hard to say on the hoppiness. I would think you wouldn't want to stray into APA territory.

[jacinthebox]

"Different variations exist, from an easy-drinking fairly sweet beer to a dry, aggressively hopped beer with a strong wheat or rye flavor"

I thought if you stayed within the IBU range, hop forward would still be in style??? Any judges wanna chime in?

[Jimmy]

Hard to say on the happiness. I would think you wouldn't want to stray into APA territory.

15-30IBU for American Wheat, 30-45IBU for APA, however, this is just an indication of bitterness.

[GuingesRock]

Yes I had low IBU's according to style but large late addition, full of flavour and aroma. Galaxy.

[jacinthebox]

see that sounds within style to me...but what do I know? Judges would know the style better

[Keith]

Depends on the experience of the judge. Could they detect big late hops as being over the top?

[jacinthebox]

but can they take away points if it's within style?

[Keith]

Only if they think it's out of style but not like they have and references when tasting the beer

[jacinthebox]

Crappy

[GuingesRock]

Crappy

... It's more of a "crap shoot"