While perfectly calculating alcohol by volume (ABV) can require expensive equipment and skills that surpass the average homebrewer, ABV can be estimated fairly accurately with two gravity readings and some very simple math. To correctly calculate the ABV of your beer, you must take a specific gravity reading both before you ferment the wort and after fermentation has completely finished. This pre-fermentation reading is called the \u201cOriginal Gravity\u201d and the post-fermentation reading is known as the \u201cFinal Gravity\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most homebrewers use a hydrometer<\/a> or refractometer<\/a> to take gravity readings throughout the process. If you\u2019re just getting started, we recommend using a hydrometer<\/a>, which is cheaper, easier to use, and a bit more foolproof. If you aren\u2019t sure how to take your gravity readings, check out our article here about how to use a hydrometer to take gravity readings<\/strong>. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n