DSmith
Well-Known Member
BACKGROUND
I brewed a tripel recently with 100% RO have noticed that Castle pilsner may have a lower pH in distilled water than other pilsner malt. I did a test mash and determined I needed less acid than predicted to achieve an actual mash pH >5.3 at room temperature.
I want to brew a Dark Strong with >65% Castle pilsner and other darker grains and did a test mash last night while brewing another beer because I suspected that combination may result in a pH <5.3 without any acid and 100% RO water. That indeed was the case and was able to fine-tune the pH prediction based on the test to develope a plan to brew this. I can either use 25% of my water as tap water [350 ppm alkaline (CaCO3)] and no acid or use 100% RO with slaked lime.
QUESTION
I generally treat all my water for brewing the same but never used a base before. With bases, would you add them to the mash only? If I mixed water, would I mix tap water in for the mash only and use 100% RO water for sparging? I batch sparge.
I've only brewed ligher colored beer ever since starting 100% RO and have never saw the pH go lower than could be corrected by using less acid malt.
I brewed a tripel recently with 100% RO have noticed that Castle pilsner may have a lower pH in distilled water than other pilsner malt. I did a test mash and determined I needed less acid than predicted to achieve an actual mash pH >5.3 at room temperature.
I want to brew a Dark Strong with >65% Castle pilsner and other darker grains and did a test mash last night while brewing another beer because I suspected that combination may result in a pH <5.3 without any acid and 100% RO water. That indeed was the case and was able to fine-tune the pH prediction based on the test to develope a plan to brew this. I can either use 25% of my water as tap water [350 ppm alkaline (CaCO3)] and no acid or use 100% RO with slaked lime.
QUESTION
I generally treat all my water for brewing the same but never used a base before. With bases, would you add them to the mash only? If I mixed water, would I mix tap water in for the mash only and use 100% RO water for sparging? I batch sparge.
I've only brewed ligher colored beer ever since starting 100% RO and have never saw the pH go lower than could be corrected by using less acid malt.