First attempt - alcohol percentage low!

[JonathanB5]

I'm on day 7 of brewing lager with the diy kit. My OG was 1.030 and currently it's 1.015. What's the chances this number will reduce. It's temperate is around 21 degrees but I am concerned I may end up with beer that's only 2.5%! Am I just impatient?! [crying]

[Hairy]

I am assuming that you made it with BE1 up to 23 litres.

 

If so, I would have expected your OG to be around 1038 and the FG to be around 1012, giving an ABV of around 4%.

 

It may be that you didn't mix the ingredients fully giving you a false OG reading.

 

Its probably a good idea to test your hydrometer too. Check it in water at 20 degrees and it should read 1.000.

 

I would leave the beer for another week to clean up, clear up and possibly reduce the SG.

 

If you are bottling into PETs then I would bottle at 1015 if it is still at that SG at the end of the next week.

[JonathanB5]

Many thanks for your reply! I shall do what you have suggested. It's not likely to go 'off' if I leave it another week then?

 

I did follow all instructions, so hope I didn't do anything wrong! [biggrin]

[TerrenceS1]

Hi I had the same sort of thing and thought that I would end up with light bear but when I tried it you could tell it was around 4to5 I put it down to the Hydrometer. I am going to buy a better one.[bandit]

[JonathanB5]

I'm going to test out the hydrometer. Thing is the beer actually "smells" very alcoholic! lol!

[LordEoin]

Here's what I had, using the 'Coopers Recommends' recipe, kit+1kg brewing sugar:

OG 1.036-->FG 1.004 (using dextrose)

ABV aprox 4.8%

 

I totally agree with Hairy. Check the hydrometer or leaving it another week, just in case.