Whats the strength of my IPA?

[tightbarsteward]

Im all new to this brewing lark and last night I popped my cherry and embarked on my 1st attempt at brewing my own. Seems to be fermenting nicely at the mo to. However on reflection, and on reading the instructions again I forgot to take an SG reading before I pitched the yeast.

Is there any way of calculating the strength of the ale other than seeing how many pints get me pissed when it's ready?

[trucker5774]

Without some expensive kit ............you're stuffed You will not be able to make a calculation without some figures. If you tell us exactly which kit it is and how much of what you added to it, someone will have done it already and be able to tell you what their brew turned out at

[tightbarsteward]

Its this kit:
http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/catalog/de ... COO2145745

With this added:
http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/catalog/de ... SPR2125680

plus 300g of dextrose

[trucker5774]

I don't do many kits and have never done that one. I'm sure the kit guys will be along with some comments on the additions and what to expect.

[trucker5774]

I have just had my maths head on..................assuming that the kit you have done is a standard "one can kit" of 1.7kg and you made it to 23 litres, then your original gravity (taking into account the additives) will have been just over 1034. If it ferments down to a final gravity of 1010 it will have an ABV about 3.1%

[colgilbec]

Tried this one ,same set up, not to put you off, but a bit acidic for my liking,but everyones taste is different.
Mine came out at 3.9%.
As a comparison try brupaks fixby gold with the same spraymalt,i think you will be impressed,tried quite a few kits but without doubt this is the best to date.

[tightbarsteward]

So the lower the FG reading the better then cos 3.1% is not really where I want to be. The instructions says typical is 1042-1006/7.46+0.5= 5.3%. That is more where I want to be.

Well anything over 4% would make me very happy.

This will be 1st of many anyway!

[trucker5774]

So the lower the FG reading the better then cos 3.1% is not really where I want to be. The instructions says typical is 1042-1006/7.46+0.5= 5.3%. That is more where I want to be.

Well anything over 4% would make me very happy.

This will be 1st of many anyway!

I would agree 1042 would be a more "normal" starting gravity. I am only estimating the final gravity. You may be fortunate enough to get down to 1006. I assume the 0.5 you are adding is for priming. A more realistic figure would perhaps be 0.2. The additions you have use seem a little low. Most kits call for 1kg of sugar. A standard replacement is spray malt to the same weight or glucose to the same weight plus about 25%. It seems you may be a little short on the fermentable sugars..................but not knowing the kit, this is all guess work. If you want to up the strength, you could still add more fermentables as it is early in the fermentation.

[tightbarsteward]

Most kits call for 1kg of sugar.

Not this kit. It recommends what I put in.

If you want to up the strength, you could still add more fermentables as it is early in the fermentation.

I dont have any DME left but have 200g of dextrose. May that make a difference if I threw that in?

[trucker5774]

200g of dextrose should take your OG up by about 2.5. It may also result in the beer being very slightly drier tasting. If you have made the kit to the instrutions (double check your volumes) then I wouldn't worry too much. You will still make decent beer. Keep notes and compare it to your next brew.