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Author Topic: got my water analysis  (Read 3641 times)

Offline Iliff Ave

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got my water analysis
« on: January 29, 2015, 08:02:00 am »
pH 7.7
Na 14
K   1
Ca 22
Mg 7
Hardness 84
N03-N 0.1
S04-S 11
Cl 16
Carbonate <1.0
Bicarbonate 57
Alkalinity 47

I already knew my pH and that I was low in Ca and Sulfate so I have been already treating my water with gypsum and calcium chloride with good results. Any observations that I should be aware of?
On Tap/Bottled: IPL, Adjunct Vienna, Golden Stout, Honey Lager
Fermenting: IPA
Up Next: mexi lager, Germerican pale ale

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: got my water analysis
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2015, 08:14:24 am »
That's a good base to brew with.  Low sodium, and like you said, you can build up with gypsum and CaCl.
Jon H.

Offline Iliff Ave

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Re: got my water analysis
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2015, 08:35:38 am »
I will need to start addressing pH. It appears that my lighter beers (kolsch) have a predicted pH of 5.8 with the existing water and about 5.7 with my average amount of additions.

Is Lactic Acid (88%) the preferred method for acidifying the mash? How do you measure it? I have those small plastic 10 mL syringes that I have used to give my son medicine. Will something like that work?
On Tap/Bottled: IPL, Adjunct Vienna, Golden Stout, Honey Lager
Fermenting: IPA
Up Next: mexi lager, Germerican pale ale

Offline mabrungard

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Re: got my water analysis
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2015, 08:38:16 am »
Yes, for the minor amount of alkalinity that this water contains, lactic acid is very acceptable. Using a syringe or graduated medicine dropper or graduated pipette are all fine for acid additions.
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Offline Iliff Ave

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Re: got my water analysis
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2015, 09:01:34 am »
Thanks! I never thought I would be so excited to treat my water. I guess it's the feeling of progress...

One last thing, what would be a good water profile for a Kolsch? Yellow balanced?
On Tap/Bottled: IPL, Adjunct Vienna, Golden Stout, Honey Lager
Fermenting: IPA
Up Next: mexi lager, Germerican pale ale

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: got my water analysis
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2015, 09:05:57 am »
Thanks! I never thought I would be so excited to treat my water. I guess it's the feeling of progress...

One last thing, what would be a good water profile for a Kolsch? Yellow balanced?

Yep, yellow balanced for me.
Jon H.

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: got my water analysis
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2015, 09:11:13 am »
Thanks! I never thought I would be so excited to treat my water. I guess it's the feeling of progress...

One last thing, what would be a good water profile for a Kolsch? Yellow balanced?

Yep, yellow balanced for me.

+1

FWIW, if you are using small amounts it can be difficult (at least it was for me) to see. i started weighing it for higher degree of confidence in what i was putting in. 1ml 88% lactic acid = 1.21 grams .
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
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Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: got my water analysis
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2015, 09:54:32 am »


1ml 88% lactic acid = 1.21 grams .

I weigh mine, too.  I think I found that in an MSDS sheet.
Jon H.

Offline merhlyn

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Re: got my water analysis
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2015, 10:04:40 am »
Hi Everyone, Being new I have been using RO water to do my brewing. On advise from a fellow brewer I started to add 1 gallon of my well water to my 5 gallon extract brewing. People who have tasted have reported better tasting beer so was a good step.

My question though, were do I get a water analysis done. Tried looking at the local water reports via the county and my rural area does not have one available.

Thanks all,

Michael

Offline denny

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Re: got my water analysis
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2015, 10:07:32 am »
Hi Everyone, Being new I have been using RO water to do my brewing. On advise from a fellow brewer I started to add 1 gallon of my well water to my 5 gallon extract brewing. People who have tasted have reported better tasting beer so was a good step.

My question though, were do I get a water analysis done. Tried looking at the local water reports via the county and my rural area does not have one available.

Thanks all,

Michael

Best place I've found id Ward Labs....www.wardlab.com.  Get test W-6.
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Offline Iliff Ave

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Re: got my water analysis
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2015, 10:19:35 am »
Hi Everyone, Being new I have been using RO water to do my brewing. On advise from a fellow brewer I started to add 1 gallon of my well water to my 5 gallon extract brewing. People who have tasted have reported better tasting beer so was a good step.

My question though, were do I get a water analysis done. Tried looking at the local water reports via the county and my rural area does not have one available.

Thanks all,

Michael

Best place I've found id Ward Labs....www.wardlab.com.  Get test W-6.

That's exactly what I just did. I had some issues getting the kit but it ended up being a postal service issue.

My water company had some good information but apparently my water comes from 2-3 sources which complicated matters. I am fairly concerned that my water may not remain unchanged in the future...
On Tap/Bottled: IPL, Adjunct Vienna, Golden Stout, Honey Lager
Fermenting: IPA
Up Next: mexi lager, Germerican pale ale

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: got my water analysis
« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2015, 10:23:45 am »
Hi Everyone, Being new I have been using RO water to do my brewing. On advise from a fellow brewer I started to add 1 gallon of my well water to my 5 gallon extract brewing. People who have tasted have reported better tasting beer so was a good step.

My question though, were do I get a water analysis done. Tried looking at the local water reports via the county and my rural area does not have one available.

Thanks all,

Michael

Best place I've found id Ward Labs....www.wardlab.com.  Get test W-6.

That's exactly what I just did. I had some issues getting the kit but it ended up being a postal service issue.

My water company had some good information but apparently my water comes from 2-3 sources which complicated matters. I am fairly concerned that my water may not remain unchanged in the future...

well water can fluctuate also..moving target. mine was so high in sodium and bicarb, I had little choice so installed RO system. another reason I weigh lactic because doesn't take much to move the needle in RO.
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

Offline Wort-H.O.G.

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Re: got my water analysis
« Reply #12 on: January 29, 2015, 10:25:07 am »


1ml 88% lactic acid = 1.21 grams .

I weigh mine, too.  I think I found that in an MSDS sheet.

you were my source on weight on another post last year  ;D
Ken- Chagrin Falls, OH
CPT, U.S.Army
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harveys-Brewhaus/405092862905115

http://braukaiser.com/wiki/index.php?title=The_Science_of_Mashing

Serving:        In Process:
Vienna IPA          O'Fest
Dort
Mead                 
Cider                         
Ger'merican Blonde
Amber Ale
Next:
Ger Pils
O'Fest

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: got my water analysis
« Reply #13 on: January 29, 2015, 10:25:44 am »


1ml 88% lactic acid = 1.21 grams .

I weigh mine, too.  I think I found that in an MSDS sheet.

you were my source on weight on another post last year  ;D

Oh, cool ! 
Jon H.

Offline JT

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Re: got my water analysis
« Reply #14 on: January 31, 2015, 05:59:36 am »
I did the Ward labs test but found my water comes from 7 different areas throughout the year.  It was high bicarbonate anyway so I began buying distilled.  Recently though I picked up a gallon of Glacier water from the dispenser at my local Walmart.  I tested it with a recently acquired TDS meter and got a reading of 10ppm, compared to my tap water's 240ppm.  Distilled reads 0 of course, but the cost savings of using the RO water are substantial, not to mention I don't have to deal with all the plastic waste from buying distilled as I can refill the jugs.