Imperial stout with TA=322 water; wanting for Cl, SO4...

[user 246304]

OK, perfect, many thanks, AJ. Broke the thistle funnel when it rolled off the counter but plodded ahead. Took three tries for the reason you mention - had never witnessed boing from low 6 pH shooting in large grabs down to below 4! So slowed down right around 5 ml, to a single drop, waited to stabilization, etc. Still overshot as noted, but heartened to see it's not much of a deal.

Thanks on the current brew. To be honest, I want to clear my fermentor(s - have a converted keg with 4" T/C and ball lock posts) to get on to the bitters...can't wait to smell the hops.

Thanks for you help, AJ. And Cire, you as well.

 

[ajdelange]

If you look at the curve for phoshphoric acid in the thread at https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/...malic-tartaric-citric-or-acetic-acids.646317/ you will gain insight as to what to expect during a titration. The first pK of carbonic acid is 6.38. In the region between say 5.38 and 7.38 there is appreciable buffering. An acid addition brings about a modest change in pH relative to what it does more than 1 pH removed from 6.38. Thus when you have titrated to below 5.38 slow down!

 

[user 246304]

If you look at the curve for phoshphoric acid in the thread at https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/...malic-tartaric-citric-or-acetic-acids.646317/ you will gain insight as to what to expect during a titration. The first pK of carbonic acid is 6.38. In the region between say 5.38 and 7.38 there is appreciable buffering. An acid addition brings about a modest change in pH relative to what it does more than 1 pH removed from 6.38. Thus when you have titrated to below 5.38 slow down!

Thanks very much, AJ. I've also got your article on measuring TA up, and the curves there are very helpful. Now that I know the ballpark, dropping 5 ml in then being very careful from that point forward.

 

[user 246304]

Well, first brew now being drunk. ABV 5.3%; I missed the OG by quite a bit but bittered according to the intended target (I made many mistakes during this brew - glad to make them, brings me back on, at least I hope), so this "robust porter" is a bit hop and bitter-balanced, for my taste. But it's still very luscious and malty and complex. I made it for the couple of friends who were instrumental in my getting this "Ugly Betty II" built, by lending so generously their equipment. They prefer dark ales, I prefer bitters, but these good people get many iterations of dark and malty to come. Anyway, for better or worse,