Beer kits claimed ABV% « Brew UK Forum

Beer kits claimed ABV%

1 year ago | Marcus Brewtus (Member)

This is my first post so Greetings one and all.

I,ve been brewing for a couple of years now and have a few reasonable batches under my belt, though nothing I consider to be outstanding. I guess we are all trying to improve things one way or another. Thats what forums are for, right?

Anyway...

I'm curious about the ABV% that is printed on the front of many kits.
For example, I currently have Millstones Doner & Blitzed in the fv.
The packaging claims 4.5% ABV
Here's the thing, the brewing instruction's state an OG of 1040 and an approximate FG of 1009
Now, if I input these figures into a calculator I get 4.07% ABV
And from what I can gather the priming sugar will only add about 0.1% at best.
This does not make 4.5%

Does anyone have a theory on this or am I completely missing something here.

Cheers

Mark

Read responses...

Responses

peter:

Posted 1 year ago by Member

Hi Mark Thats something I been wondering about too :)I have just put an Admirals Reserve in the keg and thats marked at 4.5

5 gal geordie bitter
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded

Marcus Brewtus:

Posted 1 year ago by Member

Hi peter, did you take any hydrometer readings from your brew?
The reason I ask is out of all the kits I've done, I have never managed to get really close to the suggested FG. This make's the 4.5% on the box even more unreachable.

Nath:

Posted 1 year ago by Moderator

If Im honest, the kits I have done have never really hit fg. You could always "up" the sg with malt or a wee bit of sugar. I wouldnt worry too much as it will still taste nice and be beer.

Drinkin' - nowt, it's all gone

Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!

nathbrew@gmail.com

Marcus Brewtus:

Posted 1 year ago by Member

Thanks for the input Nath. I guess what really bothers me is weather or not I'm getting a complete fermentation and getting the best out of the kit. But I should probably take your advice and quit worrying.
I am a worry wort........ get it...beer...wort.... nevermind, i'll get my coat :mrgreen:

Nath:

Posted 1 year ago by Moderator

I know its sad but I actually chuckled!

Drinkin' - nowt, it's all gone

Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!

nathbrew@gmail.com

Greg:

Posted 1 year ago by Admin

Hi Marcus and welcome to the forum.

Why don't you try using a better yeast like S04 or Nottingham. That may help get the FG down a bit, especially Nottingham. Should improve the taste too.

Marcus Brewtus:

Posted 1 year ago by Member

Hi Greg, I'm using S04 for the first time in my current brew. Took me by suprise how quickly it got going. I've kept a steady 18-20C for the last week but it's still only at 1016 and has'nt moved for a couple of days.
But like Nath said, I probably should'nt get too caught up in trying to achieve the FG the kit suggests.

Thanks Guy's

Nath:

Posted 1 year ago by Moderator

Which kit was it again? Just trying to remember the fg of the kit.

Drinkin' - nowt, it's all gone

Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!

nathbrew@gmail.com

Marcus Brewtus:

Posted 1 year ago by Member

It's Milestone's Donner and Blitzed. The FG of the kit says 1009

peter:

Posted 1 year ago by Member

Hi Mark yes I take the hydrometer readings and log them I think most of my brews and I have not done a lot come out around 3.9 to 4.1

5 gal geordie bitter
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded

Greg:

Posted 1 year ago by Admin

If you want to give them a boost then best way is to either reduce the volume of water a little or alternatively add 500g of Spraymalt which will give you approx 0.5% increase in ABV.