Hi all - I'm brewing up a 5 gallon light bodied IPA using 100% RO water in both the mash (3.9 gallons) and the sparge (5.1 gallons). I selected the Pale Ale water profile off of Bru'n Water because it says its good for hoppy beers. The exact profile is:
Cal: 140
Mg: 18
Na: 25
SO4: 300
Cl: 55
Bicarbonate: 110
The brewing salts i have available at Gypsum, Calcium Chloride, Chalk, Epsom Salt, canning salt, and baking soda. I inputed my grain bill for pH prediction which is 5.64 (relatively high).
When I adjust all the brewing salts to match the Pale Ale water profile I still get a relatively high mash pH of 5.56. These are the salts I used to match the profile: Gypsum, Calcium Chloride, Chalk, Epsom Salt, and baking soda. I noticed that I can lower the mash pH by adding Lactic Acid (88%) but when I do that the bicarbonate decreases.
My question is do I need to keep the bicarbonate at 110 ppm if I'm using 100% RO water? I feel that by using lactic acid to lower the mash pH it defects the purpose of added bicarbonate in the first place. If you guys need any more info to help me figure this out just let me know Ill be glad to supply it. Thanks!
Cal: 140
Mg: 18
Na: 25
SO4: 300
Cl: 55
Bicarbonate: 110
The brewing salts i have available at Gypsum, Calcium Chloride, Chalk, Epsom Salt, canning salt, and baking soda. I inputed my grain bill for pH prediction which is 5.64 (relatively high).
When I adjust all the brewing salts to match the Pale Ale water profile I still get a relatively high mash pH of 5.56. These are the salts I used to match the profile: Gypsum, Calcium Chloride, Chalk, Epsom Salt, and baking soda. I noticed that I can lower the mash pH by adding Lactic Acid (88%) but when I do that the bicarbonate decreases.
My question is do I need to keep the bicarbonate at 110 ppm if I'm using 100% RO water? I feel that by using lactic acid to lower the mash pH it defects the purpose of added bicarbonate in the first place. If you guys need any more info to help me figure this out just let me know Ill be glad to supply it. Thanks!