I've never entered a brew competition, and that's why I asked earlier in this thread if the competitions actually check ABV. The response I got was no. So if they do test for ABV, I stand corrected. That being said, I would have to think that for a competition to check for ABV, they'd have to separate the competition from those who bottle from a keg, and those who bottle using sugar. Otherwise, those who bottle from their keg have an advantage as their ABV is virtually locked in. And how many brewers have accurate enough equipment to determine ABV beyond their subjective hydrometer/Refractometer?You might think it's negligible and doesn't matter until you walk into your local homebrew competition and see an oscillating u-tube density meter on the judge's table.
It's all fun and games until that happens...You might think it's negligible and doesn't matter until you walk into your local homebrew competition and see an oscillating u-tube density meter on the judge's table.
They don't, my post was facetious. Few judges will notice much difference between 4.8 and 6.2% unless there's something else wrong with the beer. Other flaws that either accentuate or mask the perception of alcohol beyond the style guideline description may knock off a couple points.if they do test for ABV
I've never entered a brew competition, and that's why I asked earlier in this thread if the competitions actually check ABV. The response I got was no. So if they do test for ABV, I stand corrected. That being said, I would have to think that for a competition to check for ABV, they'd have to separate the competition from those who bottle from a keg, and those who bottle using sugar. Otherwise, those who bottle from their keg have an advantage as their ABV is virtually locked in. And how many brewers have accurate enough equipment to determine ABV beyond their subjective hydrometer/Refractometer?
There is no way anyone really knows the actual ABV of their beer- the hydrometer is a non-precision tool and even if it was accurate, the formulas we use are not 100% accurate. It's a good estimation for the most part, at best.
deal with itEngineer, eh? I’m shocked!!
the one and only brew comp.ive participated in so far.we could use hydrometer to see what the beer attenuated too but yeah not used.There is no way anyone really knows the actual ABV of their beer- the hydrometer is a non-precision tool and even if it was accurate, the formulas we use are not 100% accurate. It's a good estimation for the most part, at best.
ok now planning 3 oz white sugar to keep to styleok I was planning 4oz corn sugar for this batch. As an engineer these details are loose threads i must pull