What does 10 degrees Plato signify in brewing?

10 degrees Plato indicates a concentration of dissolved sugars in a brewing solution, specifically representing 10% sugar by weight. The Plato scale (also known as the degrees Plato scale) measures the concentration of extract (primarily sugars) in a liquid, reflecting the potential fermentable material available to yeast during fermentation.

A reading of 10 degrees Plato means that in 100 grams of solution, there are 10 grams of sugars. This measurement is crucial for brewers as it helps them estimate the potential alcohol content and the overall flavor profile of the beer. As the fermentation process occurs, yeast will convert these sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide, with the initial Plato reading providing insight into the expected alcohol by volume once fermentation is complete.

Other options do not accurately describe what 10 degrees Plato signifies. For instance, the measurement does not represent alcohol by volume, yeast concentration, or the percentage of the grain bill, which makes the choice of 10% sugar by weight the only correct interpretation of this specific scale in brewing.