Accurately Measure the Alcohol Strength of Distilled Spirits
Know the strength of your spirit with an Alcometer 0–100% ABV, an essential measuring tool for home distilling and spirit making.
Also known as an alcohol meter, alcoholmeter or spirit hydrometer, an alcometer is specifically designed to measure the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV) in clean distilled spirits. Simply float the alcometer in a sample of your spirit and read the scale where the surface of the liquid crosses the stem.
With a measuring range of 0–100% ABV, this alcometer is ideal for checking spirit strength during distillation, measuring collected distillate and confirming alcohol concentration before dilution, filtering or flavouring.
It can be used directly in a suitable measuring cylinder or distiller's parrot, while the included protective storage tube can also be used for taking a sample.
Why You'll Love It
Measures alcohol strength from 0–100% ABV
Essential tool for home distilling
Quick and easy alcohol measurement
Ideal for checking distilled spirits
Perfect for use with a distiller's parrot
Can be used with a measuring cylinder
Useful when diluting spirits to your desired ABV
Protective storage tube included
Easy-to-read floating alcohol meter
How an Alcometer Works
An alcometer measures the density of an alcohol and water solution.
As the concentration of alcohol increases, the density of the liquid decreases and the alcometer floats lower in the spirit. The alcohol percentage is read from the graduated scale where the surface of the liquid intersects the stem.
For the most accurate result, the spirit should be close to the calibration temperature of the alcometer and should not contain sugar, flavourings or other additives.
What's Included
1 × Alcometer 0–100% ABV
1 × Protective storage / sample tube
Product Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product | Alcometer / Alcohol Meter |
| Measurement | Alcohol by Volume (ABV) |
| Measuring Range | 0–100% ABV |
| Application | Distilled Spirits |
| Suitable For | Distiller's Parrots & Measuring Cylinders |
| Sample Type | Clean Distilled Spirit |
| Storage | Protective Tube Included |
How to Use an Alcometer
Fill a suitable measuring cylinder, sample tube or distiller's parrot with enough distilled spirit for the alcometer to float freely.
Carefully lower the alcometer into the spirit and allow it to settle without touching the sides or bottom.
Once stable, read the alcohol percentage where the surface of the spirit intersects the ABV scale.
For accurate results, measure clean distilled spirit before adding sugar, flavourings, essences or other ingredients.
Important – What an Alcometer Cannot Measure
An alcometer is designed for measuring distilled alcohol and water solutions.
It should not be used to directly measure the alcohol content of:
Beer
Cider
Wine
Mead
Fermenting wash
Liqueurs
Sweetened spirits
Flavoured spirits containing significant dissolved ingredients
Sugar, flavourings and other dissolved substances change the density of the liquid and can produce an incorrect ABV reading.
For beer, cider, wine, mead and fermentation washes, use a brewing hydrometer to measure original and final gravity and calculate the alcohol content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an alcometer?
An alcometer is a specialised hydrometer designed to measure the alcohol concentration of distilled spirits. It floats in the liquid and provides an alcohol-by-volume reading from its graduated scale.
What alcohol range does this alcometer measure?
This alcometer measures from 0 to 100% ABV, making it suitable for checking a wide range of distilled spirits.
Can I use an alcometer to measure home-distilled spirits?
Yes. This is exactly what an alcometer is designed for. It can be used to measure clean distillate during or after distillation and to check spirit strength when diluting with water.
Can I use an alcometer in a distiller's parrot?
Yes. An alcometer is commonly used in a compatible distiller's parrot to monitor the approximate alcohol concentration of spirit coming from the still.
Can I measure beer or cider with an alcometer?
No. An alcometer will not accurately measure the ABV of beer, cider, wine, mead or fermentation wash. These contain dissolved compounds that affect density. Use a brewing hydrometer and original/final gravity readings instead.
Can I measure liqueurs with an alcometer?
No. Sugar and other ingredients in liqueurs change the density of the liquid and will distort the reading. Measure the spirit before adding sugar, flavouring or liqueur bases.
Can I use it after adding spirit flavouring?
For the most accurate result, measure your spirit before adding flavourings, sugar, glucose or other additives. These ingredients can change the density and result in an inaccurate reading.
Does temperature affect an alcometer reading?
Yes. Alcohol density changes with temperature, so the sample temperature can affect the reading. For best accuracy, measure close to the calibration temperature specified for your alcometer or apply the appropriate temperature correction.
Why Buy from Border Brewing?
At Border Brewing Supplies, we stock quality home distilling equipment, measuring tools, ingredients and accessories for Australian home distillers.
Whether you're checking the strength of fresh distillate, diluting spirit to your desired ABV or setting up a distiller's parrot, we're here to help you get accurate, repeatable results.
Why Choose Border Brewing?
Fast Australia-wide shipping
Competitive everyday pricing
Expert brewing and distilling advice
Quality home distilling equipment
Carefully packed for safe delivery
Secure online checkout
Family-owned Australian business
