{"id":75314,"date":"2025-02-08T07:42:21","date_gmt":"2025-02-08T07:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/recipes\/category-a-b\/beer\/measuring-abv-with-anton-paars-easydens-smartref\/"},"modified":"2025-02-08T07:42:21","modified_gmt":"2025-02-08T07:42:21","slug":"measuring-abv-with-anton-paars-easydens-smartref","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=75314","title":{"rendered":"Measuring ABV with Anton Paar\u2019s\u00a0EasyDens &\u00a0SmartRef"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Anton Paar generously provided SmartRef in exchange for an honest product review.<\/em><\/p>\n

Gravity readings have always been somewhat of a chore for me. While they aren\u2019t entirely necessary or legally required when it comes to homebrew, they\u2019re beneficial for a variety of reasons. Obviously, gravity readings can help us determine the final ABV% of our beers. Gravity readings also help us determine the efficiency and accuracy of our brewing process. This is especially helpful for the repeatability and predictability of future batches.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been a long-time user of Anton Paar\u2019s EasyDens Digital Hydrometer<\/a>. It\u2019s replaced my glass hydrometer\/refractometer and any other means of taking gravity readings throughout the entire brewing process. Since I reviewed EasyDens<\/a> a few years ago, I haven\u2019t looked back. <\/p>\n

Anton Paar recently released the SmartRef Digital Refractomer<\/a>, which can be used in conjunction with EasyDens to determine the ABV% of finished beer. The clever part of this combo is you don\u2019t need any other prior readings or data to determine ABV%. You can omit gravity readings throughout the entire brewing process and still determine the finished beer\u2019s ABV% with an accuracy of 0.5 %v\/v.<\/p>\n

The biggest problem with a standard handheld refractometer<\/a> is its inability to compensate for alcohol once the beer is fermented. A standard refractometer is really only reliable during the hot side or pre-fermentation. SmartRef eliminates any guesswork or side calculations and supports the entirety of your brewing process with much greater accuracy and crystal clear results.<\/p>\n

Product Overview<\/h2>\n
\"What's<\/figure>\n

SmartRef is the first refractometer with automatic wort and alcohol correction. With a 0.4 mL sample size, the SmartRef delivers readings for Plato [\u00b0P], Brix [\u00b0B], Specific gravity [SG 20\/20], Est. ABV [% v\/v], and Temperature [\u00b0C], [\u00b0F].<\/p>\n

Out of the box, SmartRef comes with start-up instructions and 4 pipettes for sampling. The device runs on 2 AAA batteries that are already installed in the unit. SmartRef is an alcohol-correcting digital refractometer, meaning it can be used alone to calculate the OG and FG of both wort and finished beer. It\u2019s a powerful standalone device that will take accurate readings at a relatively affordable price point of $269<\/strong> USD.<\/p>\n

SmartRef can also be used for a variety of other applications such as measuring the salt content of saltwater aquariums (I gave this a shot on my reef tank!) or pools, the sugar content in wine, the sweetness of fruits and vegetables, the moisture of honey, and much more. For simplicity, each application has its own designated mobile app for performing specific calculations. Both the EasyDens and SmartRef can be controlled under the Brew Meister app for easy toggling between the two devices.<\/p>\n

Testing SmartRef<\/h2>\n

For this review, I trialed SmartRef alongside my EasyDens to determine the ABV% of finished beers. This would help me determine accuracy as compared to labeled commercial beers and finished homebrew. Although there are in-depth instructions, I was able to figure out how to get this set up on my own. As a previous user of the Brew Meister app (available on the\u00a0Apple App Store<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google Play<\/a>.), I was already familiar with how it functioned and simply needed to connect SmartRef to the app. This process is as simple as turning the device on and allowing your phone\/app to pair the two products via Bluetooth.<\/p>\n

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\"How<\/figure>\n
\"Stirring<\/figure>\n
\"Degassing<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Here\u2019s a basic overview of taking specific gravity readings with SmartRef<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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  1. Before you get started you must calibrate the SmartRef to zero<\/em> with distilled water. If you have RO water, this would also be acceptable. This can be done by tapping the \u20183 dots\u2019 menu icon in the top right of the Brew Meister App and selecting \u201cZero Adjustment\u201d. <\/li>\n
  2. If your beer is carbonated, it must be degassed for best results. The simplest way to do this is to stir the beer until the foam subsides to minimal larger bubbles.<\/li>\n
  3. Fill the SmartRef sample reader up to the first indented fill line.<\/li>\n
  4. Ensure the device is powered on and press \u201cStart Measurement\u201d in the Brewmeister app. Your results will display in about 2 seconds.<\/li>\n
  5. Rinse and carefully wipe the digital reader with a soft cloth after use.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Taking readings with SmartRef is incredibly easy and nearly foolproof. It\u2019s important to note that the acceptable sample temperature range is 10\u00b0C\u2013100\u00b0C (50\u00b0F \u2013 212\u00b0F) to prevent damage to the product and ensure accuracy. SmartRef is capable of taking gravity readings of all beer styles.<\/p>\n

    How to Use SmartRef and EasyDens Together<\/h2>\n

    The beauty of SmartRef and EasyDens allows you to take ABV% readings in finished beer with no prior data. The process for this is actually really simple and just involves taking a simultaneous reading with SmartRef and EasyDens together.<\/p>\n

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    \"Using<\/figure>\n
    \"Using<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

    Here\u2019s how to take an ABV% Reading in the Brew Meister App<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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    1. Turn on EasyDens and SmartRef and ensure both devices are connected to the Brew Meister App.<\/li>\n
    2. Fill the syringe (supplied with EasyDens) with your sample, use this syringe to first fill the sample well of the SmartRef and then use the rest of the sample in the syringe to fill the EasyDens.<\/li>\n
    3. In the Brew Meister app, select \u201cMeasure ABV.\u201d<\/li>\n
    4. Once both devices are connected, press \u201cStart Measurement.\u201d This will activate both SmartRef and EasyDens automatically and take a simultaneous calculation that will determine ABV% using the two devices.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      My trial beers consisted of a 6.7% homebrewed NEIPA and a 6.5% commercial lager. SmartRef and EasyDens were able to correctly calculate ABV% for both samples perfectly. For the most accurate results<\/strong>, fill EasyDens and SmartRef in the order\/manner outlined above!<\/p>\n

      SmarRef and EasyDens ABV% calc have a functional range of:<\/strong><\/p>\n