chally
Well-Known Member
I'm just getting started down the custom water profile path. I've read the primer, and I think I get the basics with respect to stuff like mash pH and chloride:sulfate ratio. I don't have a great source for RO or distilled water, so I try to make my tap water work (with some minor additions, and dillution where really needed).
Throughout this process, however, I keep bumping into the notion of residual alkalinity and the information seems to be all over the map. Some say it's important, some say it's not.
I recently tried to design a water profile for an oatmeal stout using a target profile from the Bru'n Water Calculator. It ended up saying that my mash pH was too high (~5.6) AND my RA was too low (~48). I can't figure out how to save one without sacrificing the other. I suspect it's the RA that has to be sacrificed, but I'd like to know what I'm sacrificing and what the impact on the beer will be.
Can anyone just cut to the chase and complete the following sentences:
Residual alkalinity is [not/somewhat/very] important. It should be the [first/second/third/last] thing you care about when setting your water profile, behind __________ and ahead of _______. If it is too low for your style, then _____; if it is too high for your style, then _____.
Throughout this process, however, I keep bumping into the notion of residual alkalinity and the information seems to be all over the map. Some say it's important, some say it's not.
I recently tried to design a water profile for an oatmeal stout using a target profile from the Bru'n Water Calculator. It ended up saying that my mash pH was too high (~5.6) AND my RA was too low (~48). I can't figure out how to save one without sacrificing the other. I suspect it's the RA that has to be sacrificed, but I'd like to know what I'm sacrificing and what the impact on the beer will be.
Can anyone just cut to the chase and complete the following sentences:
Residual alkalinity is [not/somewhat/very] important. It should be the [first/second/third/last] thing you care about when setting your water profile, behind __________ and ahead of _______. If it is too low for your style, then _____; if it is too high for your style, then _____.