I've been amazed today, I'm drawing off the liquor to brew this weekend, and as I usually do I took a small sample to test for alkalinity . . . You should know that for the last 2 years I've done this and my running average is 26mg/l as carbonate.. . . . Well according to the Salifert kit My reading today was 143 mg/l . . . .I don't beleeeeiiiiiiiivvvvvvvveeeeeee it! . ... Well actually I didn't . . . So I grabbed my trusty pH meter and a bottle of CRS test solution . . . and it took 7.13ml of CRS test solution to reach the end point (pH 4.3) . . .7.13 * 18.3 is 130mg/l.
It has been stable a couple of ppm either side of 25 for the last two years, and now its changed . . . Bloomin United Utilities . . . so for the first time I am going to be using a bottle of CRS I bought 2 years ago . . . a whopping 66ml of it.
Going to check the Calcium level too, but that has changed . . . not that it will be too drastic if it has.
Alkalinity - Why you should always test before brewing
Re: Alkalinity - Why you should always test before brewing
Just goes to show you can't take anything for granted! 
Do you reckon they've rerouted your supply to a different source?
Do you reckon they've rerouted your supply to a different source?
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Aleman
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Re: Alkalinity - Why you should always test before brewing
Have to have done Jim, Can't believe that Haweswater has changed that much
The Calcium Level confirms it, as it's around 70mg/l
Glad I checked it really as I forgot on Tuesday and I'm making a much bigger batch this weekend . . . Did wonder why the boiling water I filled the Yeast rehydration flask with was milky . . . . Duh!
The Calcium Level confirms it, as it's around 70mg/l
Glad I checked it really as I forgot on Tuesday and I'm making a much bigger batch this weekend . . . Did wonder why the boiling water I filled the Yeast rehydration flask with was milky . . . . Duh!
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bellebouche
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Re: Alkalinity - Why you should always test before brewing
That's fascinating. I wonder what kind of response if you'd get from your water supplier if if put the challenge to them about what was underpinning the change.
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Aleman
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Re: Alkalinity - Why you should always test before brewing
Just spoken to the nice bods at United Utilities, they have increased their borehole usage for our area to help them maintain the water levels in the upland reservoirs . . . . It was this that has led to an increase in the water hardness and alkalinity, unfortunately while this period of low rain continues the water will still be drawn from boreholes.bellebouche wrote:I wonder what kind of response if you'd get from your water supplier if if put the challenge to them about what was underpinning the change.
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Manx Guy
Re: Alkalinity - Why you should always test before brewing
WOW!
Thats some change....
What would have been the outcome do you think had you NOT checked your Alkalinity?
Guy
Thats some change....
What would have been the outcome do you think had you NOT checked your Alkalinity?
Guy
Re: Alkalinity - Why you should always test before brewing
Worth knocking out a decent porter before they change it back! 
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:
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steve_flack
Re: Alkalinity - Why you should always test before brewing
You've now got Southern Water. Enjoy 
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Manx Guy
Re: Alkalinity - Why you should always test before brewing
What makes 'southern water' so great...?
Is it the fact its been through at least 7 pairs of kidneys before you get to drink it/brew with it?
So there is some benefit from getting your water from the 'chalky downs'...?
Rather than the limestone hills of the north.... ?
Guy
Is it the fact its been through at least 7 pairs of kidneys before you get to drink it/brew with it?
So there is some benefit from getting your water from the 'chalky downs'...?
Rather than the limestone hills of the north.... ?
Guy
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boingy
Re: Alkalinity - Why you should always test before brewing
Do you think the hosepipe ban will include those folk who's houses were underwater last November?
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Aleman
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Re: Alkalinity - Why you should always test before brewing
As I was brewing a pale North German Pilsner the mash pH would have settled somewhat higher than the 5.33 I achieved . . . Guessing at around 5.7 to 5.8 from previous experience. I still think the beer would have been more than acceptable anywayManx Guy wrote:What would have been the outcome do you think had you NOT checked your Alkalinity?
steve_flack wrote:You've now got Southern Water. Enjoy
Cheers guysChris-x1 wrote:it's easier to take out alkalinity than it is to put it add it. Give me southern water over that northern crap any day...mine's got plenty of calcium too.
Southern water is not all that bad, and like Chris I would prefer water that had a bit more 'guts' to it, as it is easier to deal with that trying to increase alkalinity for dark beers . . . . Might do some stouts/porters now for winter though Couldn't get them to provide an analysis for the big six ions (calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulphate, chloride and alkalinity ) for this water source though 
Exactly my thoughts Chris . . . Keep on brewing brothers!Chris-x1 wrote:With water companies loosing up to a third of the water they supply due to underground leaks I suggest they get their own house in order before they dictate how people choose to use the water they pay for.