Acid reduction -- malolactic fermentation?

[jnesselrode]

I have made 4 one-gallon batches recently, and in each case I noticed a slight reduction in the TA and/or pH. These were in secondary until the SG bottomed out and I measured acid before bottling. There wasn't a lengthy aging period.

I've only recently begun checking TA/pH after fermentation, so I don't know if this is a common thing, or if perhaps I got a little MLF going. Any thoughts?

 

[gregbathurst]

MLF would raise the pH.

 

[bernardsmith]

I wonder if the drop in acidity might be caused by a reduction in CO2 production and so carbonic acid? If you are degassing in the secondary, you will be removing the acid causing gas.

 

[jnesselrode]

@bernardsmith Thanks -- I'm not degassing.