Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Is residual alkalinity a major concern or not a worry?  (Read 1845 times)

Offline Steve L

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 501
  • Rocky Mount, VA
Is residual alkalinity a major concern or not a worry?
« on: July 27, 2015, 04:05:42 am »
I typically build my water from RO using Martin's Brunwater spreadsheet. I'm using the amber bitter profile and using Calcium chloride and gypsum to adjust. All ion levels look good accept RA. The profile suggests -11 and I'm at -50.  If I add a tiny bit of sodium bicarbonate it brings it in line. Is it better to not worry about the RA if my predicted PH is 5.3 or should I add the bicarbonate?
...or are both in the ball park?  :)
Corripe Cervisiam

Offline mchrispen

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 713
    • Accidentalis Brewing Blog
Is residual alkalinity a major concern or not a worry?
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2015, 05:09:29 am »
Ignore it. Look at your calcium, chloride and sulphate levels first. I would use the bicarbonate addition to get back to 5.4 personally.

It is pointless in many cases to try to match RA or bicarbonate in water profiles.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
« Last Edit: July 27, 2015, 05:42:13 am by mchrispen »
Matt Chrispen
Sometime Austin Zealot
Blogging from the garage @ accidentalis.com
>> Bru'n Water Spreadsheet Walkthroughs<<
>> Bru'n Water Subscriber Version 5.3 Spreadsheet Walkthrough <<

Offline mabrungard

  • I spend way too much time on the AHA forum
  • ********
  • Posts: 2902
  • Water matters!
    • Bru'n Water
Re: Is residual alkalinity a major concern or not a worry?
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2015, 06:44:00 am »
RA is not a targeted value. It is a major influence on mash pH, but RA isn't the target, pH is. Adjust calcium, and magnesium concentrations as desired to meet beer flavor goals and adjust bicarbonate to achieve mash pH target. Those three components are the basis of what we calculate as RA. It is because we have to vary the bicarbonate to match the requirements of the grist, that we can't target a specific RA. 
Martin B
Carmel, IN

BJCP National
Foam Blowers of Indiana (FBI)

Brewing Water Information at:
https://www.brunwater.com/

Like Bru'n Water on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Brun-Water-464551136933908/?ref=bookmarks

Offline Steve L

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 501
  • Rocky Mount, VA
Re: Is residual alkalinity a major concern or not a worry?
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2015, 08:08:33 am »
Very good. What you detailed is how I build my water. I set my calcium sulfate and chloride levels according to what I'm brewing then check the resultant PH and adjust up or down accordingly. Thanks for the info.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Corripe Cervisiam

Offline mchrispen

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 713
    • Accidentalis Brewing Blog
Re: Is residual alkalinity a major concern or not a worry?
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2015, 09:08:31 am »
If you haven't seen this... give it a read. Really great detailed overview of water chemistry without requiring a chem degree. https://sites.google.com/site/brunwater/water-knowledge
Matt Chrispen
Sometime Austin Zealot
Blogging from the garage @ accidentalis.com
>> Bru'n Water Spreadsheet Walkthroughs<<
>> Bru'n Water Subscriber Version 5.3 Spreadsheet Walkthrough <<