Brewer's Friend Basic Water calculator

[jwalk4]

I've just begun to look at water calculators and Brewer's Friend Basic calculator seems nice and simple. I can use it to match most beer styles that I brew.

Any reason why it isn't as popular as others? Is it still accurate?

 

[ba-brewer]

I used it for a while when I first started doctoring up my water. The mineral content seems to match other tools so I think it is as accurate as other tools. I like the part at the bottom that tells if your water is malty balanced or bitter and the ideal beer color so I still go there for that.

I also used the advanced tool as well to try and predict/adjust pH and found it over estimated acid required to adjust pH. I dont recall if the problem was it estimated too much acid or too high of a starting pH, but I think it was the later.

I use Brun water now and that seems to give the same mineral content number but does a better job of predicting pH and required acid.

 

[behindthetimes]

I've been using the BF water calculator for the past about 20 brew sessions. For me, I like it the best of the tools, and will continue using it. Disclaimers:

1. I make efforts to minimize the adjustments I need to make with acid (such as starting with a water source that's already close to what I'm looking for; thinner mash when I need things to be less sensitive to change, etc).

2. I've never measured my mash pH with a meter. I put a certain amount of trust in the calculators, and in my knowledge of how to use them in a way that mitigates their ability to be very wrong; and I go by taste and all other measurements I can take to ensure that I'm in a proper envelope.

Hasn't failed me yet in any way that I can detect, I will however be investing in a pH meter one of these days.

 

[Calichusetts]

I've been using it for years. Love it.

 

[jwalk4]

Nice!
Thanks for the response guys.