Hume Labs introduced our new product, BrewBalls, at: The Great American Beer Festival in Denver, CO Sept. 24-26, 2009.
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Each of the five precision Brewballs is carefully manufactured to an exact weight to create a specific density as a function of its volume and color-coding.
These values are 1.005(white), 1.010(green), 1.020(red), 1.035(yellow) and 1.055(black).
Water (@60°F or 16°C) has a density of 1.000, and any object with a density greater than 1.000 will sink when placed in it. However, the fermentable sugars in the wort will increase the density of the wort to yield an Original Gravity (OG) of approximately 1.050~1.065 which will cause the BrewBalls to initially float.
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After you have poured the wort into the glass carboy add the five BrewBalls before pitching the yeast and attaching the airlock.
If the OG is higher than 1.055 then ALL of the BrewBalls will remain floating.
If the OG is less than 1.055 the black ball will sink below the surface.
If the OG is less than 1.035 the yellow ball will sink below the surface, etc.
Kraeusen (the layer of foamy yeast on top of the wort) will not form for at least a few hours which will provide more than enough time to view the BrewBalls and determine the OG.
After the kraeusen has formed it will be difficult to monitor the floatation, though it usually subsides after a day or two. View the remaining BrewBalls still floating to determine the current gravity of the wort.
As the fermentation continues the BrewBalls will sink in succession until the Final Gravity (FG) is reached, typically around 1.010.
You do not have to wait for the 1.005 white ball to sink for most beer recipes.
To Calculate Alcohol Content
Subtract the FG from the OG and multiply by 105 to get the Alcohol by Weight (ABW). For example OG = 1.055 and FG = 1.010;
1.055 - 1.010 = .045 .045 x 105 = 4.725 ABW.
To determine Alcohol by Volume (ABV) simply multiply ABW by 1.25.
The above example would be 4.725 x 1.25 = 5.91
Rinse the BrewBalls thoroughly after use, dry and place them in the storage tube to prevent damage.
BrewBalls are made with HDPE (high density polyethylene),the same polymer used in the new plastic carboys, and are impervious to most liquids and will not stain.
Minor care should be taken to prevent scratches and abrasions which may make it difficult to ensure sanitization.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. BREWBALLS IS NOT A TOY.
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IMPORTANT
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SANITIZE THE BREWBALLS BEFORE EACH USE! USE ANY STANDARD SANITIZING SOLUTION OR BOIL IN WATER FOR FIVE MINUTES BEFORE ADDING TO THE COOLED WORT.
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