Water Report and Planned Additions

[Herb3]

This is the report I got from Ward Labs for my water:

pH 7.5
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Est, ppm 52
Electrical Conductivity, mmho/cm 0.09
Cations / Anions, me/L 0.8 / 0.6

ppm
Sodium, Na 12
Potassium, K <1
Calcium, Ca 3
Magnesium, Mg 1
Total Hardness, CaCO3 12
Nitrate, NO3-N 0.2 (SAFE)
Sulfate, SO4-S 5
Chloride, Cl 4
Carbonate, CO3 <1
Bicarbonate, HCO3 10
Total Alkalinity, CaCO3 8
Total Phosphorus, P <0.01
Total Iron, Fe 0.02
"<" - Not Detected / Below Detection Limit

I do full volume brew in a bag and these are the adjustments I plan to make make for my next brew. (70 Shilling/Scottish Ale)

To treat 8 gallons of water:

288 mg of Potassium Metabisulfite
2.2 grams of Gypsum
1.2 grams of Epsom Salt
4.0 grams of Calcium Chloride

Brun Water profile after the above adjustments:

Finished Profile ppm
Ca 55
Mg 5
Na 12
SO4 70
Cl 66
HCO3 10

Hardness 157
Alkalinity 8
RA -34
SO4/Cl 1.06

Batch Volume 6.20 Gallons
Total Mash 8.15 Gallons
Estimated Mash pH 5.44


My question is am I on the right path here and should I be worried about my residual alkalinity being a -34?

 

[ajdelange]

No, you're fine. RA is really immaterial (it's really intended for comparing waters and back-of-the-envelope calculations). What counts is the actual mash pH and that depends on the grains used as much or more than it does on the water.

 

[Herb3]

Thanks AJ!