A bit about how to calculate the strength of alcohol and alcohol temperature correction.
Calculating the strength of alcohol involves measuring both the specific gravity and the temperature of a sample.
An alcohol meter or hydrometer is used to determine the apparent strength, which is the density of the liquid relative to water.
In practice, the hydrometer reading is taken at a known temperature, but because alcohol expands and contracts with temperature, this reading alone does not give the true alcohol content.
To obtain accurate results, a thermometer is used alongside the hydrometer. The sample’s temperature is recorded and compared to
the calibration temperature of the hydrometer (usually 20°C).
Since alcohol strength varies with temperature, the reading must
be corrected using temperature compensation tables.
This is where the Practical Alcohol Strength Tables Volume 1 becomes essential,
offering corrections for observed strength and temperature across a wide range of values.
The alcohol meter temperature correction tables used here are published by the OIML (Organisation Internationale de Métrologie Légale) allow users to determine the true alcohol
content in 0.1% ABV by interpolation. Volume 1 is specifically designed for mixtures of ethanol and water, making it suitable for
use in distilleries and laboratories.
By matching the observed hydrometer reading with the corresponding temperature 0.5C, one can
accurately determine the corrected strength—critical for compliance with excise regulations, product labelling, and quality control.
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