Hello,
AG#1 was a dark ale, no water treatment used bar Campden tab. Next though I'm planning a Pale Ale
According to Sutton and East Surrey Water my tap water has hardness of 212.5mg/l CaCO3 (or 85mg/l Ca). This I understand is way too alkaline to brew a Pale Ale, and I should be aiming for in the region of 25-30mg/l CaCO3.
I went to my local homebrew shop intending to buy some CRS but was talked out of it and walked out with Lactic Acid. So... how much Lactic Acid should I add to bring the pH down to the right level? I am having some trouble working this out. Does anyone know of a standard calculation to work this out? Homebrew shop said 3ml in mash, 6ml in sparge (for standard 23l brew)
I also have Epsom Salts and Gypsum, but will work that part out later
Thanks
Lewy
Lactic Acid - how much?
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GrowlingDogBeer
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Re: Lactic Acid - how much?
You have the figure for the hardness of your water, this is not what you need though. This tells you hardness, not Alkalinity.
You need to know the alkalinity of your water, which to confuse things is also measured as mg/l CaCO3, they are 2 differennt things though.
You can test this yourself with a Salifert Testing kit which can be bought from here. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SALIFERT-CARBONAT ... 9310215870
Sorry about the long link, I can't work out how to do short ones.
Once you know that you can then work out how much CRS you need to adjust the water, sorry I don't know about Lactic Acid.
You can work out how much you need for the type of beer you want to make using the water treatment calculator here http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/water/water.html
You will find more info about water treatment in the Brewniversity here http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/home_brew_ ... atment.htm
You need to know the alkalinity of your water, which to confuse things is also measured as mg/l CaCO3, they are 2 differennt things though.
You can test this yourself with a Salifert Testing kit which can be bought from here. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SALIFERT-CARBONAT ... 9310215870
Sorry about the long link, I can't work out how to do short ones.
Once you know that you can then work out how much CRS you need to adjust the water, sorry I don't know about Lactic Acid.
You can work out how much you need for the type of beer you want to make using the water treatment calculator here http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/water/water.html
You will find more info about water treatment in the Brewniversity here http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/home_brew_ ... atment.htm
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Lewy
Re: Lactic Acid - how much?
Thanks for the detailed response Steve, appreciated. Will duly follow the links and school myself.
I guess the crux of the matter for right now is, should I launch the Lactic and get some CRS, or can anyone unlock the Lactic numbers?
thx again
I guess the crux of the matter for right now is, should I launch the Lactic and get some CRS, or can anyone unlock the Lactic numbers?
thx again
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Aleman
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Re: Lactic Acid - how much?
None, Given the amount you will need to add you will be past the taste threshold of Lactic acid in the beer. . .Nice sour twang . . . great for Berliner Weise not so good for other beers.
The reason for using CRS is the taste thresholds are much higher and you are actually adding beneficial anions (chloride and sulphate)
The reason for using CRS is the taste thresholds are much higher and you are actually adding beneficial anions (chloride and sulphate)
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Lewy
Re: Lactic Acid - how much?
ok thanks Aleman, will ditch the lactic acid, don't want my beer tasting like sore legs. Steve, I have just ordered the salifert kit and will take it from there. Just need some CRS now...