How do I test the alcohol contect in hard cider?

Question

I want to know the proof of cider that I made.

Answer 1

If you haven't tested the apple juice beforehand with a hydrometer, you're not going to be able to test it after it's done with any kind of device not found in a laboratory.

Using a hydrometer, you test the juice before fermenting to measure its density. This tells you how much fermentable sugars (roughly) are in your juice.
Then, when your fermentation is done, you measure the density again. The difference between the two measurements tells you how much sugar was eaten by the yeast and converted to alcohol (there's a conversion chart that comes with the hydrometer).

Once it's done, if you've not measured at the beginning, is to have it taken to a lab and use whatever their method is. Comercial breweries are tested by taking a sample and distilling it and then recording the actual amount of alcohol distilled from that sample. Other labs might be able use gas chromatography or some such to measure the actual contents...not exactly practical for a batch of home brew.

Answer 2

Go to a beer and winemaking supply store and purchase a vinometer. You don't need to do a reading before a fermentation (like with a hydrometer) to see how much alcohol you have.

Answer 3

With a hydrometer, you can get them from most large chemists!! They are reasonably priced aswell.

Answer 4

you need a hydrometer. you can get them cheap.