Topic: Water
Water Treatments
MEMBERS ONLYWater is the main ingredient of beer. The many different styles of beer we have today evolved for many different reasons, not the least of which is the chemistry of the local water supply where the beer was created. Historically, brewers no doubt experimented with different ingredients and techniques much as homebrewers do today. They
Reading a Water Report for Beginners
MEMBERS ONLYBrewing water can be pretty confusing, especially to a new homebrewer who is starting to brew all-grain batches. All you need to know in the beginning, however, is if six certain ions in your water are in the proper range, which you can easily find out from reading a water report. If you live in
Managing pH with Brewing Water Adjustments
FREEIn this article, we will walk through the key concepts of residual alkalinity and some adjustments you can make on brew day to fine tune your wort pH. All pH readings are
Brew-In-A-Bag Water Chemistry
MEMBERS ONLYThe first thing I do when discussing mash thickness is to calculate the liquor-to-grist ratio (water weight divided by grain weight) because this ratio is the basis for discussion related to thickness. Infusion mashes typically range from 2.5–3.0 L/kg (1.2–1.5 qts./lb.) and stirred mashes usually range from 3.0–5.0 L/kg (1.5–2.4 qts./lb.), with 5.0 L/kg (2.4
Mash pH Importance
MEMBERS ONLYMash pH is extremely important. Enzyme activity is a function of pH and all enzymes are only active in a relatively narrow range around their optimum pH. In the case of mashing, there are two enzymes of particular importance; alpha and beta amylase. The optimal range for alpha amylase is pH 5.6–5.8 and the optimal
Brewing Water Adjustments
FREE“Does your water taste good? Then it’s probably good for brewing.” That quote embodies the mantra of homebrewers for decades when it came to the fourth ingredient in beer. Good water should
Adjusting Your Brewing Water
MEMBERS ONLYBeer is more water than anything else, which means that water is one of the most important ingredients in a brew. And, of course, water is a catch-all term for a solution of a variety of salts depending upon its source. So we should pay good attention to our brewing water, and as the professionals
Build a Mixing Valve for Consistent Water Temperature
MEMBERS ONLYEvery time I travel I try to visit the local breweries and, if I can, do a brewery tour of each of the establishments. After touring a few breweries I found that every one does things a little bit differently in their procedures, but when it comes to the equipment there are definitely some standard
DIY Water Filter
MEMBERS ONLYAs homebrewers we strive for perfection in our brews. There is a lot going on to get that water flowing into your home and more that a homebrewer can do to control the quality of the largest ingredient in the brewing process. Mineral content, particulate matter, pH, hardness, alkalinity levels, salts, chlorine, microbes and temperature
Water Filtration
MEMBERS ONLYThe answer to this question depends on what type of water filtration that you are planning to use. Carbon filtration is the most common type of home water filtration. Carbon filters contain activated carbon (charcoal) and are primarily used to remove heavy metals, chlorine, chloramines and trihalomethanes from drinking water. Heavy metals and trihalomethanes represent
Adjusting Water pH
MEMBERS ONLYThis is a question that I have never been asked and did a little digging. The reason for the digging is the very low pH of your well water. Most well water ranges in pH from about 6.0 to 8.5, and the EPA has published guidelines indicating that the pH of well water should fall
Chlorinated water
MEMBERS ONLYYou are one of those patients who comes in to the doctor’s office with a cold and already have your mind made up about the cause! Since you are convinced that you are stunting the activity of your yeast with chlorine from the water, that is really all I have to work with to help