1st timer advise
Re: 1st timer advise
I would advise treating as per Graham Wheelers book by boiling with plenty of Gypsum. It will put your liquor right in the ball park. It's time consuming but it works very well for me with water at around 235mg/l alkalinity brewing lighter summer ales.
Mr Nick's Brewhouse.
Thermopot HLT Conversion
Drinking: Mr Nick's East India IPA v3 First Gold & Citra quaffing ale
Conditioning:
FV:
Planned: Some other stuff.
Ageing:
Thermopot HLT Conversion
Drinking: Mr Nick's East India IPA v3 First Gold & Citra quaffing ale
Conditioning:
FV:
Planned: Some other stuff.
Ageing:
Re: 1st timer advise
[quote="Aleman"][quote="mbrew"]Is the Alkalinity as Calcium carbonate @ 136 not relevant?.[/quote]
Do you know I am so used to it never being quoted that I didn't even look for it, although what use a single measurement for a 12 month period is is difficult to say . . at least it shows it was between 120 and 150 as I assumed
Hobgoblin as a clone would be good . . . it would have a good level of dark and crystal malts which would offset some of the alkalinity, so aiming for a level of 50 rather than lower for a paler beer, so a 2:1 Ashbeck to Tap would help a lot.[/quote]
Sounds like a plan, as I'm going to start of with 10l batches buying some water in is no big deal.
No need for the calcium sulphate as per the previous post with the darker beer?
Do you know I am so used to it never being quoted that I didn't even look for it, although what use a single measurement for a 12 month period is is difficult to say . . at least it shows it was between 120 and 150 as I assumed
Hobgoblin as a clone would be good . . . it would have a good level of dark and crystal malts which would offset some of the alkalinity, so aiming for a level of 50 rather than lower for a paler beer, so a 2:1 Ashbeck to Tap would help a lot.[/quote]
Sounds like a plan, as I'm going to start of with 10l batches buying some water in is no big deal.
No need for the calcium sulphate as per the previous post with the darker beer?
Last edited by mbrew on Fri May 20, 2016 5:06 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: 1st timer advise
Mr. Dripping, this is bang on what I was thinking, I don't want any unnecessary distraction so making a beer that suits the water in my area takes away another variable, as far as I can see it makes perfect sense.Sadfield wrote:Theoretically agree with this. However, with the practicality of getting everything in order on a first brew day, I still think it's an unnecessary distraction. Can't say I've had a beer, either my own or anyone else's, that has be rendered undrinkable by lack of water treatment.Mr. Dripping wrote:I'm sorry to have to disagree here with the 'concentrate on process' comments.
Someone is about to invest 6-8 hours of their time brewing an AG batch and I think it is important that new brewers actually get something good to drink at the end of it.
It is very easy for any brewer, particularly those new to the hobby to become very frustrated very quickly and ultimately give up the hobby if they can't produce something decent at the end of it. I've been there.....wore that t-shirt for about 18 months until the penny dropped.
So, hats off to the OP for having an initial understanding that water is important and for asking advice on what to brew without having to faff around too much.....hope you have a great brew day
Certainly an issue to address sooner rather than later.
Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk
- Aleman
- It's definitely Lock In Time
- Posts: 6132
- Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2007 11:56 am
- Location: Mashing In Blackpool, Lancashire, UK
Re: 1st timer advise
No the gypsum addition stays. That is why dilution is not as good as acid treatment or slaked lime as it dilutes what you want in there as well as the bad stuff . . . Then you have to add it back. . . It's the same issue with boiling, it does work but I've never been able to get the alkalinity low enough for pale beers doing so.
-
- Even further under the Table
- Posts: 2514
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2012 5:38 pm
- Location: Wirral, Merseyside
Re: 1st timer advise
I agree that with the water you've got, a porter or stout is your best bet without treatment and it will likely turn out good, (all other things being equal, which of course they're not ). But if you brew a pale ale with that water you will likely be disappointed as the alkalinity is way too high.
Best wishes
Dave
Dave
Re: 1st timer advise
I can make good beer without treating my water, which is Mancunian very soft water from Thirlmere. I add gypsum to pales, but usually nothing to dark beers, though I steep the roast grains separately. I'm sure not all municipal water is so forgiving.
Re: 1st timer advise
Thanks for explaining, I have a lot to learn!Aleman wrote:No the gypsum addition stays. That is why dilution is not as good as acid treatment or slaked lime as it dilutes what you want in there as well as the bad stuff . . . Then you have to add it back. . . It's the same issue with boiling, it does work but I've never been able to get the alkalinity low enough for pale beers doing so.
One other question, can anyone tell me if I would need to add a campden to my water?
- orlando
- So far gone I'm on the way back again!
- Posts: 7197
- Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 3:22 pm
- Location: North Norfolk: Nearest breweries All Day Brewery, Salle. Panther, Reepham. Yetman's, Holt
Re: 1st timer advise
If your water smells really badly of chlorine it will do no harm but if you prepare your water the day before and leave it uncovered my bet is you wouldn't be able to tell in the final beer, just make sure to use only 1/2 a tablet. Another one of those things people do without often knowing whether it really matters.mbrew wrote:Thanks for explaining, I have a lot to learn!Aleman wrote:No the gypsum addition stays. That is why dilution is not as good as acid treatment or slaked lime as it dilutes what you want in there as well as the bad stuff . . . Then you have to add it back. . . It's the same issue with boiling, it does work but I've never been able to get the alkalinity low enough for pale beers doing so.
One other question, can anyone tell me if I would need to add a campden to my water?
I am "The Little Red Brooster"
Fermenting:
Conditioning:
Drinking: Southwold Again,
Up Next: John Barleycorn (Barley Wine)
Planning: Winter drinking Beer
Fermenting:
Conditioning:
Drinking: Southwold Again,
Up Next: John Barleycorn (Barley Wine)
Planning: Winter drinking Beer
Re: 1st timer advise
But leaving the water won't get rid of chloramine.
- orlando
- So far gone I'm on the way back again!
- Posts: 7197
- Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 3:22 pm
- Location: North Norfolk: Nearest breweries All Day Brewery, Salle. Panther, Reepham. Yetman's, Holt
Re: 1st timer advise
No, but if you can smell/taste it you're a better than me.rpt wrote:But leaving the water won't get rid of chloramine.
I am "The Little Red Brooster"
Fermenting:
Conditioning:
Drinking: Southwold Again,
Up Next: John Barleycorn (Barley Wine)
Planning: Winter drinking Beer
Fermenting:
Conditioning:
Drinking: Southwold Again,
Up Next: John Barleycorn (Barley Wine)
Planning: Winter drinking Beer