Simple stupid OG question.

[Paramecium]

When AG brewing should the OG that you are shooting for be taken before or after the boil? Most recipes call for a target OG but call me stupid, It's not clear to me if this is what you should be shooting for out of the mash or after the boil.

 

[brettg20]

After the boil. If you take it before you will have a lower OG because you boil off some of the water during the boil. Take your reading after the boil always.

 

[Catt22]

Post boil. The OG is also sometimes referred to as the starting gravity, meaning at the beginning of fermentation. Yes, you are shooting for the target gravity and this is based on the theoretical yield of the ingredients factored by your system efficiency. Most malt have a potential yield of 36 gravity points per pound. You are doing well if you can get 27 points or more out of a lb of malt.

 

[Paramecium]

Thanks for the quick responses.