Kit manufactures ABV claims

[RichardG]

More of a ramble than a 'discussion' I suppose; however, last night I got my Muntons Midas Touch Golden Ale in the FV. Most of you will know that it's a two can 3.6kg kit so doesn't need any additional fermentables. According to the instructions it'll be finished when it's consistently below 1.014, which seems reasonable for a two can kit. The box claims an ABV of 5%, which by my reckoning with a FG of 1.014 (which I accept may finish slightly lower) would require a OG 0f something like 1.055 or there abouts. Mine pitched at 1.046. Now, if it finishes at 1.014 that'll give an ABV of 4%-4.5%. That's fine with me, but it got me thinking about claimed ABV's because I've never had a two can kit that had an OG high enough to get to the claimed ABV. What do other think, and what's you experience?

[Madbrewer]

When I did kits, despite rinsing out the can, I always finished just short of the 23 litres @ x.xxx OG. I put this down to either my hydrometer, the inaccuracy of the gradients marked on the FV or a bit of both. But!!! the kits never seemed to do >23 litres at stated OG either! I wondered in real terms what the extra tablespoon of extract would have cost them to ensure we did finish on target but I used to console myself with the fact that I was saving a ton doing it myself.

Anyway I would always make the kit to the advertised OG rather than the advertised volume though.

[PeteH]

The problem with trying to make a kit to a specific OG is that its hard (impossible) to take a reading in the FV if you're aerating by dropping the water in from a height (which I do). Therefore you'd have to keep putting some in a trial jar and taking a reading from there, but you'd need to start trying this from a few litres short of the finishing volume. This could take some time. I tend to finish a bit short of 23l and then whatever the OG is will have to do.

[sparky Paul]

Most of these premium kits seem to assume a FG of around 1010, which would make the 5% correct, if you include the alcohol produced from priming. I rarely seem to get them to ferment down that low, as you say 1012-1014 is usually nearer the mark.

[Waffty]

Made a Pride of Yorkshire Colne Bitter on Tuesday, made the kit up too 22l (should have been 23l) & got an OG of 1044, so I'm assuming if I'd have made it up to the full 23l, it won't have hit the specified ABV.
Darren.