Beersmith calculates chalk additions, but chalk is not popular

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Horseflesh

Horseflesh

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I'm starting to explore the water chemistry side of brewing, and now Beersmith will calculate mineral additions for you. Cool! However, Beersmith offers a bicarbonate adjustment via adding chalk, and from everything I have read, chalk is a pain to work with.

How are people handling this, or is it not an issue?
 
I quit using chalk in favor of baking soda for my bicarbonate value. It adds sodium too, but I've found that no matter how dark the beer is, I rarely need more than 75 bicarbonate, which only gives a shade under 30 on sodium, which isn't bad.
 
I think people have been having issues with BeerSmith's water tool. I looked at it quickly but not long enough to see how it compared to Bru'n.

If you do need to raise mash pH, use baking soda.
 

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