Apropriate bicarbonate level for stouts

[Hoosier]

I am doing my water calc for a 44 SRM american stout. According to John Palmers spreadsheet i should be shooting for a bicarb level of around 650 ppm. It seems like alot to me any thoughts?

 

[Bobby_M]

The RIS I just brewed today came in at like 40 SRM and I got my RA to about 200. The mash pH was pretty spot on somewhere between 5.3-5.5 via colorpHast. I wouldnt' go too overboard because you can always add a bit more chalk or baking soda if you go low.

 

[rj0715]

most of the water calcs seem a bit skewed when you go to the darker side.... even the water profiles of cities known for darker brews don't have bicarb levels that high.

 

[Hoosier]

Thanks for the help!