should i add gypsum to this stout. and a question about pH

[fluketamer]

hi i bought some gypsum and calcium chloride thinking it could help my hoppy ipas. but i was told it couldnt hurt my stout either. the reccomendation was to add 1.5 grams of gypsum and similar calcium chloride but also to add bicarb with the gypsum.

now i am worried about it messing with my pH.

i only use strips which i know are inaccurate.

the reccomendation was to add bicarb if adding gypsum so it doesnt lower the pH too much.

my question is can i throw in 1-2 grams of gypsum (and maybe calcium chloride) without worrying about my ph too much.

heres my water :

• Calcium (Ca²⁺): 10-30 ppm (low, soft water).
• Magnesium (Mg²⁺): 2-8 ppm (very low).
• Sodium (Na⁺): 5-15 ppm (low, acceptable).
• Chloride (Cl⁻): 10-30 ppm (low).
• Sulfate (SO₄²⁻): 5-20 ppm (very low).
• B/S Ratio: Undefined.
• Alkalinity (as CaCO₃): 15-40 ppm (low, minimal buffering).
• pH: 6.8-7.2 (near neutral).

heres the grain bill:

10 lbs 2 row
1 lb of quaker oats
.5lbs chocoalte
.5 lbs roasted barley
.25 lbs debittered black

i usually add the roasted malts later in the mash ( like last 20 mins) cause it seems to make my stouts smoother.

for some reason i am more nervous about adding bicarb to my beer then calcium so4 or chloride.

i usually just brew with the water as is and it has worked fine in the past especially for stouts. . should i try the salts this time?

 

[DuncB]

I would read this thread and watch the presentation linked by @mabrungard
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/secrets-to-brewing-irish-dry-stout.735725/

 

[dmtaylor]

Your water is very mild. The yeast might be happier with a pinch of gypsum or calcium chloride in there, but... it's probably not necessary. I might do it just for grins. The bicarbonate though is probably not necessary with that grist. Dark grains are acidic but you're only at 10% of the grist, AND adding it LATE in the mash, so your mash pH might even be a little too HIGH than too low (5.7-5.8?), so the bicarbonate I would say is pretty much totally unnecessary.

Throw your pH test strips in the trash. I don't know why I haven't thrown mine out yet. I think I'll do that tonight. Seriously. If you really want to measure pH, you need a proper meter, and calibration solutions etc.

 

[DuncB]

The only use I have for my pH strips are for "did I leave starsan or PBW in the beer engine " ?
A box full of pH strip books should last me a hundred years!