Mineral levels

[Cybershadow]

I am adjusting water for the first time and just got a quick question. I see there are recommended brewing levels. For example 50-150ppm for calcium. My questions is should i shoot for 50 or 150 or somewhere in the middle or does it not really matter as long as i am in the range?

 

[judsonp]

As I understand it (someone correct me if I'm wrong), most of the ranges are a combination of "no more than" and "no less than". So probably what you want to do is modify your water until you get inside the range, then stop.

 

[mabrungard]

There is NO calcium target goal. There are plenty of beers made with far less than 50 ppm calcium. However, there are many advantages to brewing with a calcium level around 50 ppm. You can read about them on the Water Knowledge page of the Bru'n Water website.

Using a calcium level higher than 50 ppm is typically only done in order to add the anion you want in the water for its flavor effects (chloride, sulfate).