In my first few AG brews I simply added 5.2 stabilizer to the mash and each time they were crystal clear and tasted just fine.
Having run out I brought the alkalinity test kit and treated my water with 50ml of CRS (calculated to give residual alk of 25) now the 3 brews dont seem to be as clear and seem to have a harsher taste.
5.2 seems to be back in stock at hop and grape so should I revert back or now I've started down the chemistry route should I be looking again at my additions.
I still fail to understand what the treatments achieve is CRS simply used to achieve the correct mash Ph if so is stabilizer not the easy option
Thanks for any advice
5.2 stabilizer vs CRS
Re: 5.2 stabilizer vs CRS
Where did you get the 50ml figure from (I use about that amount for 10 gallons and I have fairly chalky water)? Do you actually know your starting alkalinity? Having used both I've found I get better results with CRS and DLS than with 5.2.