Water make-up-Not sure of(or if) treatment needed

[iandiggs]

mgl CaCO3 (ppm) Degrees Clarke Degrees German(DH) Degrees French Detergent rating Fluoride(ppm)
315.0 22.05 17.64 31.5 HARD 0.122


Hello,

Don't suppose any water expert could advise me on the quality of my tap water for brewing based on the above report? (i live in Dartford, Kent (England)). I love my pale, hoppy ales more than my stouts/porters and am wondering whether the water make-up here suits my preferred style of ale.
I am considering buying in some supermarket bottled water next time as my ale never gets to taste like the real thing, despite using up to 100g of hops sometimes (for steeping) on top of my boil/late hops.
I have used a teaspoon of gypsum in my last few brews but have no idea if i should be adding it and it doesn't seem to have any affect.
Help most appreciated.
Kind Regards,
ian

[Dave S]

mgl CaCO3 (ppm) Degrees Clarke Degrees German(DH) Degrees French Detergent rating Fluoride(ppm)
315.0 22.05 17.64 31.5 HARD 0.122


Hello,

Don't suppose any water expert could advise me on the quality of my tap water for brewing based on the above report? (i live in Dartford, Kent (England)). I love my pale, hoppy ales more than my stouts/porters and am wondering whether the water make-up here suits my preferred style of ale.
I am considering buying in some supermarket bottled water next time as my ale never gets to taste like the real thing, despite using up to 100g of hops sometimes (for steeping) on top of my boil/late hops.
I have used a teaspoon of gypsum in my last few brews but have no idea if i should be adding it and it doesn't seem to have any affect.
Help most appreciated.
Kind Regards,
ian

Hello Ian

I would by no stretch of the imagination call myself an expert, but I have been dwelling on water issues for the last month or so, and your figures above suggest a very high level of alkalinity. For a good pale ale this would need to be reduced a lot. I would suggest your first move would be to get a full report from your water authority, then try Graham's Water Calculator, (via Calculators at the top right of the page). You will need to get some CRS to use with it, or boil your water prior to suggested mineral additions.

I and one or two others are currently trying out another calculator that advocates the use of discrete acids, but I'm waiting to see how the first brew using that method turns out. Early indications look good .

Hope that helps

[iandiggs]

Thanks Dave