Adjusting Water

[murphyslaw]

So I want to brew Edwort's Oktoberfest with Kolsch yeast. I'd also like to try to adjust my water to hit the right profile.

Washington, DC water (from local water report, not beersmith):
Ca 44
Mg 9
Na 16
SO4 53
Cl 33 (I use a brita filter, which should get rid of most of this)
HCO3 76

Munich (per beersmith):
Ca 75
Mg 20
Na 10
SO4 10
Cl33 2
HCO3 200

If I try to use gypsum to bring up my calcium, I'll raise my sulphate which is already way too high. So I can add 2 or 3 grams of calcium carbonate instead.

If I raise my HCO3 with baking soda my sodium which is already a bit high goes through the roof.

How can I balance this stuff? How can I lower something that is already too high such as my SO4?

 

[BuzzCraft]

How can I lower something that is already too high such as my SO4?

The only way I know to drop your sulfate is to dilute your source water (w/distilled or the like)...then you'll be back at square 1 if you're trying to replicate Munich water!

 

[boredatwork]

You can use this calcualtor to not only play with additions but also with dilution. The combination of the two should give you the ability to hit any target.

Brewing Water Chemistry Calculator | Brewer's Friend