Wondering what I should expect with low volume...

[Brad78]

So I messed up a batch (volume wise) ... I figured out my issue after the fact (not enough water during the sparge) ... and so when I bottled my English Best Bitter I had 4.2 gallons instead of what should have been 5.

Just curious what I should expect in a couple weeks when I crack one? Will the beer be super concentrated? Will it taste weird or really strong?

I figured some experienced brewers could tell me what I might expect while I'm waiting.

[Jimmy]

Did you take a gravity reading before fermenting?

[Brad78]

Did you take a gravity reading before fermenting?

I did not. I have actually never done that before ...requires a hydrometer?

I took the temperature, volume, and desired carbonation level and calculated the amount of priming sugar needed and away I went with bottling.

[GAM]

Hydrometer is a necessary evil.

I am thinking of a refractometer.

Sandy

[dean2k]

Hydrometer is a necessary evil.

I am thinking of a refractometer.

Sandy

Just don't buy the same shitty $20 ebay refractometer I bought. Shows water as 1.000, and OG readings are ball park compared to my floating hydrometer, but everything else in between seems to get "stuck" and shows false readings. Caused quite the confusion for a week or so before I did a comparison check with the floater.

[mattvincent24]

Just don't buy the same shitty $20 ebay refractometer I bought. Shows water as 1.000, and OG readings are ball park compared to my floating hydrometer, but everything else in between seems to get "stuck" and shows false readings. Caused quite the confusion for a week or so before I did a comparison check with the floater.

once fermentation starts a refractometer is not accurate because of the alcohol. You can use a calculator to get close, buy i just use my hydrometer at that point.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

Back to the original question, if you undersparged, your beer will likely be slightly higher in alcohol than if you did the proper sparge. Should still be just as drinkable.

[dean2k]

Just don't buy the same shitty $20 ebay refractometer I bought. Shows water as 1.000, and OG readings are ball park compared to my floating hydrometer, but everything else in between seems to get "stuck" and shows false readings. Caused quite the confusion for a week or so before I did a comparison check with the floater.

once fermentation starts a refractometer is not accurate because of the alcohol. You can use a calculator to get close, buy i just use my hydrometer at that point.

I was just using a spreadsheet calculation at home. I have to check compared to the online calculators. Cheers.

Brad: Nothing wrong with a little stronger, right?

[Brad78]

Back to the original question, if you undersparged, your beer will likely be slightly higher in alcohol than if you did the proper sparge. Should still be just as drinkable.

Awesome...good to know, will post when I crack the first one.

@deak2k haha nope I won't mind

[Brad78]

To followup...I cracked my first one from the batch I mentioned above...it doesn't taste too bad at all. Doesn't seem overly strong alcohol wise. Definitely a little young still, a few more weeks conditioning and it should be alright.

Clarity was very good, but there was a lot more sediment in the bottle...which I guess makes sense since there was less volume overall.

Going to purchase a hydrometer this weekend.