how do you get a proof in moonshine?!
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_p…
In the past it was simply done by adding gun powder to the spirit and if ignited its was proof or proofed.
Measure it with this type of tool
http://www.squidoo.com/hydrometer
This is a specific spirits hydrometer
http://www.wineworks.co.uk/product/spiri…
Its that simple
Using a hydrometer will give you both the S.G. and an estimated alcohol content. Since you are talking about spirit the higher alcohol must be measured by instrument. Saying it cannot is complete nonsense, a spirits-hydrometer will give a good indication of the alcohol contained in the alcohol/moonshine. The spirits hydrometer had been specially calibrated for this purpose and is your best bet.
Use the spirits hydrometer and by taking a reading you are set. It will give a % reading so just double that to have your proof number.
Specific gravity, or Brix, will only help you determine the sugar content. The way home brewers do this is to measure the sugar content before and after. They can calculate by the difference the approximate ABV of the beverage they brewed. It will not however simply tell you the ABV of a beverage on its own, nor in any distilled product. It is used in the production of distilled spirits to gauge the effectiveness, but you can not simply get a bottle of moonshine and use a hydrometer to test it.u
For that you need a spectrometer. Specifically distilled water is tested along since the sample at 100% luminance. The difference in diffraction of the alcohol content can tell you the percentage or proof of the liquid. IT can also be determined by nuclear magnetic resonance. Generally these are equipment not owned by the average home users which is why brewers rely on inaccurate measurements such as specific gravity.
you have to measure the specific gravity, or have it analyzed by a lab
experts can usually tell by how the bubbles form when shook.
finally, you can sometimes tell by the way it burns.
measure the specific gravity