If the Bicarbonate in the water I use is 190...

[TasunkaWitko]

...how much should I dilute it, and with what?

 

[mabrungard]

Bicarbonate does not require dilution in brewing. You can neutralize it with an acid addition. Its the other ions that may be in your water that are more likely to drive a need for dilution.

 

[TasunkaWitko]

Okay - thanks!

For some reason, I thought that I read somewhere that I should be diluting it with RO or possibly even distilled water, which didn't sound quite right, so I figured I'd check.

FWIW, here's the entire breakdown on the water I use:

http://bigspringwater.com/about-us

It's been working great, and all beers I've brewed with it (light, dark and in-between) have tasted really nice with it - so, I am reluctant to mess with it.

 

[BeerMakesPeopleHappy]

I'd totally brew with that water, but I'd use some acid malt in my lighter beers to keep the mash PH down.

 

[ProblemChild]

Our water comes in at 145 - 155 depending and the bicarbonate level drops fast with any sort of acidulated malt or acid additions.