How to alter water profile

[alexipas]

Hi Friends,

I used Brun water and input my cities water which is listed on their website. My water seems to have to much in it. I understand how to add items... but not how to remove them. Any advice? I think im missing something here. All im looking to do is make better beer (ideally IPAS). Currently all i do for my water is a campden tablet. thoughts
My water profile is
actual-
CA-140
Mg-40.5
Na-79.8
S04-105
CI-158
HCO3- 439.7
Ph-7.89

yellow Dry
-CA-50
Mg-10
Na-5
So4-105
Ci-45
hc03-0

 

[VikeMan]

You can remove some of the Ca and HCO3 by boiling and then decanting (leaving the precipitate behind).
Or you can use a home water softener, although that would also increase your Na.
Or can dilute with distilled/RO water.

But I have to say, looking at that profile, it screams out "build from distilled/RO" to me.

 

[Dgallo]

Hi Friends,

I used Brun water and input my cities water which is listed on their website. My water seems to have to much in it. I understand how to add items... but not how to remove them. Any advice? I think im missing something here. All im looking to do is make better beer (ideally IPAS). Currently all i do for my water is a campden tablet. thoughts
My water profile is
actual- CA-140 Sought after for yellow dry - 50
Mg-40.5 - 10
Na-79.8 -5
S04-105 -105
CI-158 -45
HCO3- 439.7 -0
Ph-7.89

You have NEIPA water but that’s it IMO (mg is very high for starting water and so is your bicarbonate)
Since your bicarbonate is so high you’ll also need to use a lot of acid

 

[alexipas]

You have NEIPA water but that’s it IMO (mg is very high for starting water and so is your bicarbonate)
Since your bicarbonate is so high you’ll also need to use a lot of acid

Well thats great news since i love NEIPA. So is it as simple as adding lactic acid from the brew shop?

 

[Dgallo]

Well thats great news since i love NEIPA. So is it as simple as adding lactic acid from the brew shop?

Yes or phosphoric acid 88%. You could also use acidic malt.

However, You may still want to dilute you water by a third or in half with distilled so you can cut that magnesium down and then build from there.

 

[alexipas]

Yes or phosphoric acid 88%. You could also use acidic malt.

However, You may still want to dilute you water by a third or in half with distilled so you can cut that magnesium down and then build from there.

Thanks that's great advice.

 

[Dgallo]

Thanks that's great advice.

You're welcome. Just remember that its only specifically for NEIPAs. Like @VikeMan pointed out, you'll be better off in other styles to build from distilled/Ro

 

[alexipas]

ok both good points

You're welcome. Just remember that its only specifically for NEIPAs. Like @VikeMan pointed out, you'll be better off in other styles to build from distilled/Ro

Agreed both good points @VikeMan.
I will have to experiment. I may try to work with what i have. I dont love the idea of bringing in outside water when I have cheap city water at the tap. It sounds heavy and difficult. Unless there is a way I havent considered yet

 

[VikeMan]

I dont love the idea of bringing in outside water when I have cheap city water at the tap. It sounds heavy and difficult. Unless there is a way I havent considered yet

If you don't want to buy water (understandable), but think you'll be brewing for the long haul, maybe consider installing an RO filter.

 

[alexipas]

If you don't want to buy water (understandable), but think you'll be brewing for the long haul, maybe consider installing an RO filter.

I have literally never considered that. I've brewed about 55 batches in the past two years ( my first two) so I'm all in on equipment. 200 bucks on a RO system sounds reasonable. Plus it should last forever since I'd only use the filter for 20 gallons a month or so

 

[Jbuckley1996]

Hi Friends,

I used Brun water and input my cities water which is listed on their website. My water seems to have to much in it. I understand how to add items... but not how to remove them. Any advice? I think im missing something here. All im looking to do is make better beer (ideally IPAS). Currently all i do for my water is a campden tablet. thoughts
My water profile is
actual-
CA-140
Mg-40.5
Na-79.8
S04-105
CI-158
HCO3- 439.7
Ph-7.89

yellow Dry
-CA-50
Mg-10
Na-5
So4-105
Ci-45
hc03-0

Looks like you are using water from a well. My well water looks similar. Dilute 1:1 with distilled and add back calcium. Check your mash ph and see if you’re in the right range. How’s your mash ph now?

 

[Dgallo]

Looks like you are using water from a well. My well water looks similar. Dilute 1:1 with distilled and add back calcium. Check your mash ph and see if you’re in the right range. How’s your mash ph now?

If he dilutes 1 to 1 his calcium is still 70 ppm which is plenty for all beer types. If you’re suggesting to add calcium back to Adjust ph, there is no reason too suggest that unless you know his grain bill. Also his bicarbonate is already extremely high, so he will most likely only ever need acid to adjust his ph. If he does need to ever bring his ph back up, then there are far better additions to adjust ph such as sodium bicarbonate