Do You Drink Your Hydrometer Sample?

[DKS]

Every time. Only because you guys told me to. Its not my fault, honest! :icon_cheers:
Daz

 

[Bizier]

Here is an awkward and intimate question...

Have you ever tasted another brewer's hydrometer sample?



I did the other day... kinda felt weird and I couldn't look them in the eye afterwards, so quickly left in a nervous shuffle. We haven't called each other since.

 

[canon1ball]

After the smell test I have a taste test, like to know what's cooking!

 

[WarmBeer]

Here is an awkward and intimate question...

Have you ever tasted another brewer's hydrometer sample?



I did the other day... kinda felt weird and I couldn't look them in the eye afterwards, so quickly left in a nervous shuffle. We haven't called each other since.

It's alright Bizier, you're both consenting adults, and sometimes it's good to "experiment".

Just try not to let it affect your friendship, and never, ever text them while drunk

 

[flattop]

Well it's all getting a bit cozy here....

Can't say i have tasted anothers.... It's sort of unusual....
But what goes on tour stays on tour....

 

[manticle]

I drink it. Sometimes it gives me a bit of indigestion and sometimes in the case of a fresh apple cider sweetened with lactose, it tastes like a cross between apple farts and snot.

However besides the cider my brews are generally quite enjoyable during ferment which is a far cry from the ones I did when I was KK. They were undrinkable during primary. I think I tried twice.

 

[NickB]

I snort mine! :icon_cheers:

Bloody West Australians, all you seem to do over there is drink LCPA and snort things... Ben Cousins has a LOT to answer for!!!!!


Back on topic, yes, sometimes I do taste. Often I'll run a sample into a glass, and whatever doesn't fit in the hydro tube goes down the throat!

Cheers

 

[Thirsty Boy]

always

I use a refractometer, but always take about 50ml. Filter it through some kitchen paper towel so the refracto reads nice and sharp and drink whats left after the sample.

 

[Nick JD]

I don't use a hydrometer. I do however, get the glass out once every few days and have a wee sip ... and since I don't use a hydrometer, it's a very simple (and not very scientific, but it works fine) way of knowing if there's still unfermented sugars in the fermenter. When it tastes dry - I bottle it.

 

[Brewer_010]

Always taste the sample, there's ever only two samples anyway (pre-and post-fermentation)
It is useful to sense how the flavours develop over time

 

[Greg Lawrence]

Usually drink the lot.
Sometimes my test tube has been sitting out in the garage unwashed for a week (pretty manky) when i take a sample, but I still have a taste.
Probably the main reason that
I have never upgraded to a refractometer.

 

[caleb]

I just drank two... (two different fermenters - both ready to bottle).

I now always taste everything - raw wort, perhaps during fermentation, and the final sample. Hell, I've even cracked a conditioning bottle after about 3-4 days just to see what it was like (answer - already fizzy but very sweet).

I have learnt a lot about how the beer develops and how it will taste at different stages this way - very educational. Why WOULDN'T you do it. I sometimes even draw off a tiny taster of the fermenting brew just to have a taste and see how it is going. This is a good way to know if I should perhaps dry hop it to get more flavor, or know if any infection has started to develop.

BTW on MasterChef last night the chef was explaining how you should taste everything at every stage of cooking, so you know how it is going to taste. It is your job and duty as a chef. If it tastes bad to begin with, why think a bit of heat is going to fix things? As brewers, I think we should adopt a similar attitude.

 

[AntCoop]

Yep

Always

Its Mandatory!

:chug:


Cheers Coops :beerbang:

 

[DKS]

Saw that, made me feel better about licking the lid of the cans. :icon_cheers:
Daz

 

[King Brown]

Every time, It's a crime to tip even the smallest amount of beer away! Even if it isn't finished yet
I cracked a conditioning bottle (750ml) the other day to see how it was going, had a 375 mill glass from it then poured the rest into a smaller bottle and resealed it! (which I ended up drinking the next night)

 

[daemon]

Thinking about it now, I think it's twice now that I haven't sampled my hydrometer sample I do just so I can taste what's going on, it's always interesting to see how different one beer can taste.

 

[flattop]

Thats why we put taps on fermenters
Always good to tap a few mill for scientific research

 

[Weizguy]

What sort of nonsense is that question?
no-brainer...
taste it, verify that all's well, and...if it is: enjoy.

I wish to verify the fact that a sample of about 50 ml is not excessive. About 2 shots worth.

Sample only 3 drops onto the refracto, and remember that it's poor form/ a bit grubby to lick the refracto clean b4 washing it. OK?

Is it arrogant to say that it's a necessary step in your QA programme?
Lester out :icon_chickcheers:

 

[big d]

Sip swirl taste and chuck the rest.For me its not a good indicator of how the beer will turn out.Gotta let time and yeast weave its magic.

Cheers
Big D

 

[benno1973]

Always. It's an education to see how the beer changes with time and different factors (i.e. before the yeast has been added, while the yeast are doing their thing, before it's been chilled and carbonated). I had a friend who was stunned and sickened to hear that I drank my hydro sample. I think I was stunned and sickened to realise that he didn't! It's like I always eat a few of each type of grain before I grind them. I rarely try the hop pellets though...