Refractometer
Term from the Brauwerkstatt brewing glossary, category “Measurements and calculations”.
Explanation
Measures sugar content in °Brix from a few drops. For wort a correction factor of about 1.04 applies (13.5 °Bx ≈ SG 1.053). After fermentation alcohol distorts the reading; the calculator corrects for it.
Work it out yourself
Final beer calculator – Work out the alcohol content, attenuation, colour and bitterness of your beer – before brewing as a plan, and afterwards with your measured values.
Test your knowledge
Why must a refractometer reading be corrected once fermentation has started?
- Alcohol distorts the refraction of light
- Because hops colour the beer
- Because yeast glows
Show answer
Correct: Alcohol distorts the refraction of light. Before fermentation the refractometer is accurate. During and after fermentation you need a correction formula, as in the final-beer calculator.
Related terms
All terms in “Measurements and calculations” · Brewing glossary