question on measuring alcohol potential

[kazmerzakr]

Please help me with this hypothetical question that isn't all that hypothetical if you catch my drift....

Assume the starting SG of a must is 1.2, with a potential alcohol level of about 15.5% (yes, I know, too high, but bear with me on this)
Assume fermentation takes the SG down to 1.07 before it becomes stuck. At 1.07 the alcohol potential is now about 9%
Can one subtract 9% from 15.5% and come to the conclusion that the must now has 6.5% alcohol ? Does it work that way?

 

[AlFulchino]

just use this simple formula...starting sg minus ending sg divided by .0074 and that gives you what you need....

 

[cpfan]

Please help me with this hypothetical question that isn't all that hypothetical if you catch my drift....

Assume the starting SG of a must is 1.2, with a potential alcohol level of about 15.5% (yes, I know, too high, but bear with me on this)
Assume fermentation takes the SG down to 1.07 before it becomes stuck. At 1.07 the alcohol potential is now about 9%
Can one subtract 9% from 15.5% and come to the conclusion that the must now has 6.5% alcohol ? Does it work that way?

Before you start doing any arithmetic on your readings, you need to get your readings correct. First they should always be quoted as 3 decimal places.

Second, does 1.2 mean 1.200, 1.020, or 1.002. Cause none of them work out to 15.5%. However, 1.120 does.

So, 1.120 - 1.070 = .050 * 133 = 6.65%

Steve

 

[kazmerzakr]

Thanks, Steve for setting me straight. I should have been more careful with my numbers, and 1.120 is the number to work with. I follow your answer and appreciate the response.

 

[Tom]

Both Steve and Al are right. They just go down different roads to get to the same place.

 

[AlFulchino]

Tom, what do you and your group do as far as measuring alcohol?

 

[Tom]

Not sure about the group but I use what U do. I do not care to the tenth of alcohol so I just round up/down the the closest 1/2 or whole#

 

[Rock]

I have always used brix x .575 so 23brix x .575=13.2%.At least this is what i have read.