Asator
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2018
- Messages
- 26
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Hello all,
I moved to all-grain BIAB about 6 brews ago. Previously, I was extract only. My recent beers have been drinkable, but have a feeling focusing more on my water might help me improve. So, I pulled samples of the two different water sources I've been using and sent them to Ward Labs. Sample A is the water at my house, which is very convenient but you can see, as I knew, the water is very hard. Sample B is municipal water that I've used a couple of times. I brew mostly pale ales, IPAs, and light Belgian styles. Any thoughts people have on the two water profiles? I have purchased the various brewing salts but wanted to see what I was working with before trying to incorporate them.
Two things:
Sample ID A
pH 7.5
TDS Est 475
EC 0.79
Cations 9.6
Anions 9.9
Sodium 11
Calcium 91
Magnesium 54
Potassium 2
Total Hardness 453
Nitrate 0.3 (SAFE)
Sulfur 15
CO3 < 1.0
HCO3 505
Chloride 22
Total Alkalinity 415
Total P < 0.01
Total Fe < 0.01
Sample ID B
pH 8.7
TDS Est 370
EC 0.62
Cations 6.2
Anions 6.1
Sodium 67
Calcium 34
Magnesium 18
Potassium 7
Total Hardness 160
Nitrate 1.3 (SAFE)
Sulfur 67
CO3 1.6
HCO3 59
Chloride 29
Total Alkalinity 51
Total P 0.17
Total Fe < 0.01
I appreciate any thoughts or feedback.
I moved to all-grain BIAB about 6 brews ago. Previously, I was extract only. My recent beers have been drinkable, but have a feeling focusing more on my water might help me improve. So, I pulled samples of the two different water sources I've been using and sent them to Ward Labs. Sample A is the water at my house, which is very convenient but you can see, as I knew, the water is very hard. Sample B is municipal water that I've used a couple of times. I brew mostly pale ales, IPAs, and light Belgian styles. Any thoughts people have on the two water profiles? I have purchased the various brewing salts but wanted to see what I was working with before trying to incorporate them.
Two things:
- I won't be purchasing an RO system. I might incorporate distilled water if absolutely necessary but would prefer to not have buy 7-8 gallons each brew day.
- I do not yet have a pH meter, but plan to invest in one soon. I have strips currently, and to me they are worthless. So I'm flying blind as far as mash pH.
Sample ID A
pH 7.5
TDS Est 475
EC 0.79
Cations 9.6
Anions 9.9
Sodium 11
Calcium 91
Magnesium 54
Potassium 2
Total Hardness 453
Nitrate 0.3 (SAFE)
Sulfur 15
CO3 < 1.0
HCO3 505
Chloride 22
Total Alkalinity 415
Total P < 0.01
Total Fe < 0.01
Sample ID B
pH 8.7
TDS Est 370
EC 0.62
Cations 6.2
Anions 6.1
Sodium 67
Calcium 34
Magnesium 18
Potassium 7
Total Hardness 160
Nitrate 1.3 (SAFE)
Sulfur 67
CO3 1.6
HCO3 59
Chloride 29
Total Alkalinity 51
Total P 0.17
Total Fe < 0.01
I appreciate any thoughts or feedback.