Hydrometer

An essential piece of equipment when fermenting ANYTHING!!

No matter what you are fermenting
Beer, Cider, Mead, Wine, Spirit Wash
ALWAYS use a Hydrometer!

A hydrometer is used to measure the specific gravity of a liquid, which is the ratio of its density to the density of water. In brewing, it helps monitor the fermentation process by indicating sugar levels & estimating alcohol content. It's crucial for determining when fermentation is complete and for adjusting recipes.

•    Take an OG (Original Gravity) read right at the start.
Write your gravity readings down in a notebook, along with all ingredients used.
•    After 7-10 days take an FG (Final Gravity) read.
In cooler weather, fermentation may take longer.
•    When you’ve got a stable Gravity read, the exact same read two days in a row 
usually around 1010-1005 for beer & 090 for spirit
It is now ready to be either bottled, kegged or distilled.
Always have a taste before bottling (except spirit washes)

NEVER rely on Airlock activity

Your yeast could be happily fermenting away without releasing gasses out of the airlock or 
you may have a leak somewhere in your fermenter. Check that the fermenter lid is on tight & that the seal is in good condition.

*EXPLODING BOTTLES* 

This usually happens when you bottle your product before it has fully finished fermenting, or poor sanitation of bottles (wild yeast & other micro-organisms that you can’t see) hiding inside your bottles. 
Use a no-rinse sanitiser to kill off these microscopic bugs.

You can then work out the % ABV of your product using this calculator
The basic formula: ABV = (OG - FG) * 131.25
ABV = alcohol by volume, OG = original gravity, & FG = final gravity.
This formula for a beer having an OG of 1.055 & a FG of 1.015
your ABV would be 5.25%.
1.055 -1.015 = 0.04                 0.04 x 131.25 = 5.25