Hydrometer for Beer, Wine & Spirit Brewing
French-made hydrometer for accurate specific gravity measurement when brewing beer, wine, cider, mead & spirit washes. Comes complete with a plastic tube that doubles as a test jar—everything you need to start measuring. Track fermentation progress and calculate ABV with ease. Calibrated at 20°C. Want easier readings? Upgrade to our 100mL test jar for more convenient use.
$18.50
56 in stock
Hydrometer for Brewing Beer, Wine & Spirits
The Hydrometer is an indispensable tool for brewers at every skill level, from beginner hobbyists to seasoned professionals. Simple, reliable, and highly accurate, this triple-scale hydrometer allows you to measure the specific gravity (SG) of your wort, must, or wash—providing crucial information about fermentation progress, sugar content, and potential alcohol content.
Whether you’re brewing beer, making wine, crafting cider, fermenting mead, or preparing a wash for distilling, a quality hydrometer is essential for consistent results every time.
Key Features
- Triple-Scale Reading: Measures Specific Gravity (SG), Potential Alcohol, and Brix/Balling scales on a single instrument
- Accurate Density Measurement: Precisely measures the density of liquids relative to water, helping you determine sugar content and track fermentation progress
- Essential Brewing Tool: Calculate your Original Gravity (OG) and Final Gravity (FG) to accurately estimate Alcohol by Volume (ABV)
- Easy to Use: Simply suspend the hydrometer in a sample inside a testing cylinder—no complex calibration or batteries required
- Compatible with Standard Testing Cylinders: Works perfectly with a 100mL Plastic Cylinder for a lightweight, budget-friendly option
- Versatile: Suitable for beer, wine, cider, mead, ginger beer, kombucha, and spirit washes
How to Use a Hydrometer
Getting accurate specific gravity readings is simple when you follow the correct technique:
- Sanitise Your Equipment: Clean your hydrometer and test cylinder to prevent contamination of your brew.
- Draw a Sample: Take a sample of wort, must, or wash and fill your testing cylinder. Use enough liquid so the hydrometer can float freely without touching the bottom.
- Check the Temperature: Most hydrometers are calibrated at 20°C. For best accuracy, cool or warm your sample to this temperature, or apply a temperature correction to your reading.
- Insert the Hydrometer: Gently lower the hydrometer into the liquid and give it a slight spin to release any air bubbles clinging to the glass.
- Wait for Stability: Let the hydrometer stop bobbing and spinning completely before taking your reading.
- Read at Eye Level: Look at where the liquid surface crosses the scale. Always read at the bottom of the meniscus (the curved surface of the liquid), not the top.
- Record Your Reading: Note the specific gravity (e.g., 1.050) along with the date in your brewing log.
- Clean and Store: Rinse with warm water and store in a safe place to maintain accuracy. Handle with care—glass hydrometers are fragile.
How to Calculate ABV with a Hydrometer
Use this simple formula to calculate your alcohol by volume:
ABV = (OG – FG) × 131.25
Example:
- Original Gravity (OG): 1.050
- Final Gravity (FG): 1.010
- Calculation: (1.050 – 1.010) × 131.25 = 5.25% ABV
Take your OG reading before pitching yeast, and your FG reading when fermentation is complete (gravity stable for 2-3 consecutive days).
Using Your Hydrometer for Beer Brewing
A beer hydrometer is essential for monitoring fermentation and calculating ABV in your homebrew. Here are typical specific gravity ranges for popular beer styles:
| Beer Style | Original Gravity (OG) | Final Gravity (FG) | Approx. ABV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Lager | 1.028 – 1.040 | 1.006 – 1.010 | 3.0 – 4.5% |
| Pale Ale | 1.045 – 1.060 | 1.010 – 1.015 | 4.5 – 6.5% |
| IPA | 1.056 – 1.075 | 1.010 – 1.018 | 5.5 – 7.5% |
| Stout | 1.050 – 1.075 | 1.012 – 1.020 | 5.0 – 8.0% |
| Belgian Tripel | 1.075 – 1.085 | 1.008 – 1.014 | 7.5 – 9.5% |
Pro Tip: If your final gravity is higher than expected, your fermentation may have stalled. Check your temperature, swirl the fermenter gently, or consider pitching additional yeast.
Browse our Beer Recipe Kits to put your hydrometer to use!
Using Your Hydrometer for Wine Making
A wine making hydrometer helps you monitor sugar levels and predict alcohol content throughout fermentation. Wine typically ferments drier than beer, often finishing below 1.000 SG.
| Wine Type | Starting SG | Final SG | Approx. ABV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry White Wine | 1.080 – 1.090 | 0.990 – 0.998 | 10 – 12% |
| Dry Red Wine | 1.085 – 1.095 | 0.990 – 0.998 | 12 – 14% |
| Sweet/Dessert Wine | 1.100 – 1.130 | 1.010 – 1.025 | 10 – 14% |
For wine making supplies, check out our Wine Making Kits.
Using Your Hydrometer for Cider & Mead
Whether you’re crafting hard cider or brewing mead, your hydrometer helps you track fermentation and achieve your target sweetness and alcohol level.
Cider
Fresh apple juice typically has a specific gravity between 1.045 – 1.065, producing cider with 5–8% ABV. Most dry ciders finish around 0.998 – 1.005. For sweeter cider, you can back-sweeten after fermentation is complete and the cider has been stabilised.
Learn how to make cider at home: Complete Guide to Make Cider
Mead
Traditional mead starts with a gravity of 1.100 – 1.130 depending on how much honey you use. This produces mead with 12–18% ABV. Mead ferments slowly—monitor gravity weekly and be patient. Some meads take 3–6 months to fully ferment.
Explore our Mead Making Kits and Australian Honey for your next batch.
Using Your Hydrometer for Spirit Washes
When preparing a wash for distilling, your hydrometer measures the sugar content before and during fermentation. A typical spirit wash starts with a gravity around 1.080 – 1.120 depending on your recipe.
Important: A standard hydrometer measures sugar content, not alcohol percentage. To measure the ABV of your distilled spirit, you’ll need an Alcoholmeter (also called a proof and traille hydrometer), which is specifically designed for alcohol-water mixtures.
Check out our Spirit Essences and Turbo Yeasts for your next distilling project.
Hydrometer vs Refractometer: Which Do You Need?
Both tools measure sugar content, but they work differently. Here’s how to choose:
| Feature | Hydrometer | Refractometer |
|---|---|---|
| Sample Size Needed | 100–250mL | A few drops |
| Works Post-Fermentation | ✓ Yes – accurate readings | ✗ Requires correction calculator |
| Temperature Sensitive | Yes – calibrated at 20°C | Yes – has ATC (auto temp correction) |
| Durability | Fragile (glass) | Sturdy |
| Price | $12.95 | $45+ |
| Best For | All-purpose brewing, beginners | Quick readings during brew day |
Our Recommendation: Start with a hydrometer—it’s affordable, accurate for both pre and post-fermentation readings, and perfect for beginners and experienced brewers alike. Consider adding a Refractometer later if you want to check gravity during the boil without losing much wort.
Temperature Correction for Accurate Readings
Most hydrometers are calibrated at 20°C (68°F). If your sample is warmer or colder, your reading will be slightly off:
| Sample Temperature | Correction |
|---|---|
| 10°C | Subtract 0.002 from reading |
| 15°C | Subtract 0.001 from reading |
| 20°C | No correction needed |
| 25°C | Add 0.001 to reading |
| 30°C | Add 0.002 to reading |
| 35°C | Add 0.004 to reading |
For the most accurate readings, cool your sample to 20°C before measuring.
What’s Included
- 1 × Triple-scale hydrometer (measures SG, Potential Alcohol, and Brix)
- Calibrated at 20°C
- SG range: 0.990 – 1.170
You’ll also need: A testing cylinder (sold separately). We recommend our bundle: Hydrometer and Test Tube for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hydrometer used for in brewing?
A hydrometer measures the specific gravity (density) of your wort, must, or wash. This tells you how much sugar is dissolved in the liquid, allowing you to track fermentation progress and calculate the alcohol content (ABV) of your finished brew.
How do I calculate ABV with a hydrometer?
Take a reading before fermentation (Original Gravity/OG) and after fermentation is complete (Final Gravity/FG). Use the formula: ABV = (OG – FG) × 131.25. For example, OG 1.050 and FG 1.010 gives you (0.040 × 131.25) = 5.25% ABV.
What temperature should my sample be?
Most hydrometers are calibrated for 20°C. If your sample is warmer or cooler, apply a temperature correction. For every 5°C above 20°C, add approximately 0.001 to your reading. For every 5°C below 20°C, subtract approximately 0.001.
What’s the difference between OG and FG?
OG (Original Gravity) is the specific gravity reading taken before fermentation begins—it measures total sugar content. FG (Final Gravity) is taken after fermentation is complete, showing how much sugar remains. The difference between OG and FG determines your alcohol content.
How do I know when fermentation is complete?
Take hydrometer readings over 2–3 consecutive days. If the specific gravity remains constant (doesn’t drop any further), fermentation is complete. For most beers, final gravity falls between 1.008 – 1.016, depending on the style and yeast attenuation.
Why is my hydrometer reading stuck?
A “stuck” reading that stops dropping before reaching expected FG may indicate stalled fermentation. Common causes include temperature fluctuations, insufficient yeast nutrients, or high alcohol stressing the yeast. Try gently swirling the fermenter, maintaining steady temperature, or pitching fresh yeast.
Can I use this hydrometer for spirits?
Yes—use it to measure the sugar content of your wash before and during fermentation. However, to measure the alcohol percentage of your distilled spirit, you’ll need an Alcoholmeter, which is specifically designed for alcohol-water mixtures after distillation.
Suitable for all skill levels
Makes 5L
Takes anywhere from 3-6 months
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