B
brewing-in-chandler
Hi!
I just finished using BeerSmith for the fourth time and am generally very happy with the results. However, I've noticed that my measured original gravity and final gravity are consistently .005 to .015 lower than the values the program estimated. My ABV almost always works out as planned (assuming an efficiency of roughly 70%), but my most recent batch has me worried.
I did a weizenbock where I aimed for an original gravity of 1.085, but my measured original gravity ended up 1.060. I know I'm not going to end up with my planned ABV, as it would take a final gravity of .9957, but I'm having trouble believing that my efficiency dropped very much compared to prior batches.
I usually do a single step infusion with an infusion mash-out, but for the weizenbock I did a triple decoction mash in addition to a decoction mash-out. I hit all the planned temperatures more or less spot-on. My mash/lauter tun is a 10 gallon cooler with a false bottom, and I batch sparged with the minimal amount of sparge water involved in my recipe.
Any idea about what's going on with the lower values? Is it possible that my hydrometer is just off? Am I missing something obvious? I spent a good bit of time searching for answers on this and other forums and websites, so I hope I haven't missed another post on the same topic.
Anyway, I've enjoyed perusing the forum for a while now, and I look forward to becoming part of the community here. Thanks!
Matt
I just finished using BeerSmith for the fourth time and am generally very happy with the results. However, I've noticed that my measured original gravity and final gravity are consistently .005 to .015 lower than the values the program estimated. My ABV almost always works out as planned (assuming an efficiency of roughly 70%), but my most recent batch has me worried.
I did a weizenbock where I aimed for an original gravity of 1.085, but my measured original gravity ended up 1.060. I know I'm not going to end up with my planned ABV, as it would take a final gravity of .9957, but I'm having trouble believing that my efficiency dropped very much compared to prior batches.
I usually do a single step infusion with an infusion mash-out, but for the weizenbock I did a triple decoction mash in addition to a decoction mash-out. I hit all the planned temperatures more or less spot-on. My mash/lauter tun is a 10 gallon cooler with a false bottom, and I batch sparged with the minimal amount of sparge water involved in my recipe.
Any idea about what's going on with the lower values? Is it possible that my hydrometer is just off? Am I missing something obvious? I spent a good bit of time searching for answers on this and other forums and websites, so I hope I haven't missed another post on the same topic.
Anyway, I've enjoyed perusing the forum for a while now, and I look forward to becoming part of the community here. Thanks!
Matt