Hydrometers are tools that can be used to determine the amount of fermentation that has taken place in your beer or wine. The hydrometer does not measure the alcohol level of a brew, but can be used to determine this by taking a reading before and after fermentation. The density of a liquid is what is measured by the hydrometer. Hydrometers are accurate tools, but the accuracy of YOUR estimate of what the alcohol level of your brew is will only be as accurate as YOUR calculations.

There are a lot of products out there on the market for home brewers. Some are vital, some are nice to have, but not necessary, and some are frivolous. I will show by example what is necessary and what is unnecessary in the realm of homebrew equipment. With over ten years of home brewing experience, I have found that there are just a few basic elements of home brewing equipment that one needs to produce high quality, quaffable ales at home.