How much lactic acid to add

[cmschlatt]

Hi all,

I'm brewing my first sour later today (Friday). I'll be using the kettle sour process (sour in kettle after mash, then boil). The only issue is the pH meter I ordered won't be here until Saturday. I've read that after the mash and before the souring, I need to add lactic acid to make it 4.5 pH or less. Does anybody have any experience with how much acid normally needs to be added?

Here is my recipe for grains (3.5 gallons):
4lb 2 Row
2lb White Wheat Malt
.25lb CaraPils

Thanks all!

 

[microbusbrewery]

You really need to be able to measure it. Even pH strips would help. Things like your water profile are going to impact how much you need to add. If you know your water profile, there are calculators that should get you in the ballpark...but I'd still check it with a meter.

 

[TheMadKing]

How are you doing the kettle sour?

I didn't add any and it came out great.