Measuring abv

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guypettigrew
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Measuring abv

Post by guypettigrew » Mon Sep 28, 2015 8:37 pm

Does anyone know of anything which measures the amount of alcohol in a finished beer?

Thanks.

Guy

chris2012
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Re: Measuring abv

Post by chris2012 » Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:05 pm

The two ways I can think of, off the top of my head are an
ebuilliometer and IR spectroscopy.

I keep meaning to try the spectroscopy approach, but I'm not sure how hard it's going to be, theres apparently a peak you can
look for around 900nm.

GeeThom

Re: Measuring abv

Post by GeeThom » Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:07 pm

Most instrumental methods for direct measurement of ABV are expensive relying on UV, NIR or even HPLC.
There is a great machine by Anton Parr called ALEX 500 which will give density, bitterness, ABV, present gravity among others, worth a look but this costs about £4000 = £5000 at least.
Great for a small to medium size brewery but for most of us we are stuck with hydrometers and gravity drop to estimate ABV

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