Salts for flavor

Josh · Joined: 02 Jan 2014 Posts: 26 Location: Centennial, CO

Hi folks,

I have been spending some time reviewing water chem. I am looking for a sanity check and a couple answers.

As I understand it, I want to flavor my hlt water to my desired water profile. Once complete, I use lactic acid to manage ph in the mlt. Is that it, or am I missing things?

Also, when using ez/bru'n, is the total volume 20g (full hlt) or do I need to worry about adding salts at various stages?

Any input helpful, thanks!

**kal** · Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:59 pm Post subject:

I use EZ Water Calculator.

It tell you how much of the salt to add to the mash, and how much goes in the boil. No salts in the HLT as some are not very water soluble.

Once salts are added to the mash I add lactic acid if required to get the pH into the right range.
I also add lactic to the sparge (not strike) water in the HLT while mashing to get the sparge water into the 5.6-5.8 range.

For more info see my "brew day step by step" article.

Kal

mnoltimier · Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:32 pm Post subject:

I use BeerSmith 2. The water profile tool is the only thing I use software for. I enjoy doing the rest by hand and also there are just too many variables in BeerSmith for me... It never turns out right. But you can use Beersmith for 30 days free if I remember right.

The first place to start is get your HCO3 down to your required amount. Luckily I live in a very "clean" water area... it's almost distilled. I used to live in Houston and their water was great for porters/stouts but I ended up buying distilled water because it was sooo alkaline. Than, I usually get my Ca up to 50 than get my Mg up to at least 10. From there I play with the balance of Cl to Sul to get the right malt to hop ratio. I usually keep my Na down as low as I can.

I also use lactic acid to fine tune from there.

Here's some great free info

http://thebrewingnetwork.com/shows/Brew-Strong/search/water
Part 1: Why adjust your water?
Part 2: How to adjust your water
Part 3: Adjusting your water to styles
Part 4: Water, The final answers.

foomench · Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 6:15 pm Post subject:

Josh · Joined: 02 Jan 2014 Posts: 26 Location: Centennial, CO

Haha, I am in Centennial. Get my water from foothills. The numbers look great already and I won't need any RO water, hurray.

I am using Bru'n, and I did see the Mash and Sparge salts, so this makes sense. I was hoping it could be as easy as everything in HLT at once, but I guess that means a lot would sit at the bottom of the pot and never make it to mash.

For the sparge additions, I guess those get added right as sparge starts? I did review your Brew day about 6 times now, but the flavor salts bit refers to a future article that I can't find. Smile