This is a tool employed in brewing to determine the alcohol by volume (ABV) of a finished beer. It relies on the original gravity (OG) reading, taken before fermentation, and the final gravity (FG) reading, taken after fermentation is complete. For instance, a measurement of 1.050 OG and 1.010 FG would be input into the device to calculate the resultant alcoholic strength.
Accurate determination of alcoholic strength is essential for recipe replication, quality control, and legal labeling requirements. Historically, brewers relied on less precise methods. Modern calculators offer a standardized and consistent way to estimate the percentage of alcohol present, enabling more informed decision-making throughout the brewing process and ensuring product consistency. This allows for better control of the fermentation and a more predictable outcome.
