I have a couple of these alcohol thermometers around for calibration of my dial thermometers on my kettle and mash tun. Don't be like me and try to use these for day to day brewing....you will break it, bits of glass will fall into your mash or into your kettle, you'll have an internal debate reguarding the possibility of glass bits in your beer, how well can I really filter this beer, will all the glass settle out with the trub? Just use it to calibrate other thermometers and you will treasure it for years.