Beer Forum

So i've been thinking about my FG readings that i've been taking. I usually rack from my carboy to my bottling bucket which already has my simple syrup for bottle conditioning. So i can't take a reading from the bottling bucket cuz the sugar will throw it off.

So how do i get an accurate reading from the carboy before i transfer?

I don't want to stir up the beer because of oxidation so i feel like taking a reading from the top will be inaccurate.

Thoughts?

Either take it from the bucket post transfer, pre-syrup addition or pick your self up a wine thief. The thief will allow you to grab a sample through the whole length of the carboy.


http://morebeer.com/view_product/18661/ ... _-_3_Piece

What I do is use a wine thief long enough to reach the middle of the area you want to sample. I made up a simple thief from a 3 foot length of hose attached to a turkey baster with the bulb removed, and a hose clamp from my racking cane at the top of the hose where it connects to the baster. Think of this as a jumbo ecomomy sized pipette. Suck on the big open end (yes I just said suck it) until the beer fills the hose (and yes I also said fills the hose), then close the clamp. Put beer into testing jar and repeat until you have enough to take a reading.

Do not blow bubbles into the beer.

HTH,

Alan

I usually just fill my hydrometer flask from the transfer line, unless I want a reading before I'm transferring to assure terminal gravity, then I use my thief.