I recently switched from extract to AG. I do full volume biab brewing. When doing extract I used Distilled water. My recent AG pales and IPAs have been a bit flat, and seem to be missing that crispness I like in my hoppy beers. All the beers have turned out well but want to improve them. I've been reading about mash ph and have a decent understanding a out the impacts of water in regards to brewing but I've never altered my water before. Based on how to Brew's mash ph table and my water report with all base malts I would have a ph of 5.7 and a residual alkalinity of 90. I am brewing a 3 gallon ipa this weekend that is based on RR's row 2 hill 56, but I plan on increasing the abv and adding more hops at the end of the boil. The grain bill, which I have already bought, will be as follows: Plisner malt - 67% Maris - 26% Crystal 40 - 7% The question I have is what water should I use based on my resources and limited knowledge. I don't have a ph meter yet due to funds but I plan on buying one soon to be able to adjust my mash ph. A local tropical fish store sells RO water at $.39 a gallon. Without a ph meter I know I won't be able to hit my target ph so I am just trying to find the best solution to coming close, exact isn't needed right now but hoping to get a better ph than what I have now. -use all ro water and add the minerals needed -blend RO water with my tap water -use additions to my current tap water. I just download the file from bru'n water but haven't had time yet to research but will before I brew.
Adjusting is probably the best option but since I don't have a ph meter to check the mash I wasn't sure if that would be a bad idea, putting the cart before the horse and all.
There are a number of water tools available to help you obtain a proper mash pH. I prefer to use MpH which can be downloaded here: http://homebrewingphysics.blogspot.com/ Another tool which is very easy to use as per its name is EZWater which can be downloaded here: http://www.ezwatercalculator.com/ Do you know the mineral content of your tap water? If so, you can add that information to these tools along with your grain bill and it will predict what your mash pH will be. You can then ‘tweak’ via additions if needed to achieve a good mash pH. I have highly alkaline tap water so I need to acidify my mash and sparge water when brewing pale colored beers; I use lactic acid to acidify my tap water. If you decide to use RO water you will need to purchase mineral salts (e.g., Gypsum, Calcium Chloride, Epsom, etc.) in order to build up your water to achieve a proper mash pH and proper mineral amounts for a given beer style. Cheers!
I was looking at bru'n water the last day or two. They use a water tool as well. I do have my mineral content from the annual water report from my city water. My water is too alkaline as well and making pale beers don't turn out as well. I was thinking the RO options because I though if I blend it with my tap water it would help to lower the alkialinity. A simple solution option to get better results, not ideal but hopefully better. Also, all RO and then making additions because I am just not that confident in how accurate an annual water report from my city.
“I was looking at bru'n water the last day or two. They use a water tool as well.” For a number of batches (4-5) I used Bru’n Water, MpH and EZWater to predict my mash PH. FWIW, Bru’n Water was the least accurate of the three. For my following batches I solely used MpH. Just my personal preference. “I do have my mineral content from the annual water report from my city water. My water is too alkaline as well and making pale beers don't turn out as well.” Given that input, you will need to acidify your tap water if you go that route. Adding a few ml of lactic acid is real easy. “I was thinking the RO options because I though if I blend it with my tap water it would help to lower the alkialinity,” The MpH tool lets you ‘play that game’; there is a cell where you can enter the percentage of the water which is distilled water (the same as RO water for you). “Also, all RO and then making additions because I am just not that confident in how accurate an annual water report from my city.” FWIW, my water report is ‘accurate’; throughout the year my predicted mash pH matches what I measure. If you choose to build water from RO that also permits you to very accurately obtain a specific mineral profile if that is important to you. There are lots of ways to ‘skin this rabbit’. Pick one that is comfortable for you. Cheers!
As always thanks for your help. I feel more confident already and look forward to improving my mash ph....thanks!
