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Author Topic: Did I add too much CaCO3 and gypsum?  (Read 4151 times)

Offline Pawtucket Patriot

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Did I add too much CaCO3 and gypsum?
« on: November 30, 2009, 05:38:47 pm »
I brewed an American IPA several weeks ago and tasted a sample from the keg today.  I'm getting a pronounced mineral-like bitterness that I think could be due to adding too much CaCO3 and/or gypsum to the mash.  Then again, it could just be my palate today.   :-\

After mineral additions, my water profile looked something like this.  Is this an acceptable profile for an American IPA?

Ca.....94
Mg.....4
Na.....13
HCO3.....95
SO4.....93
Cl.....28
HDNS.....262

Thanks in advance.   8)
Matt Schwandt | Minneapolis, MN
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Offline bo_gator

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Re: Did I add too much CaCO3 and gypsum?
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2009, 06:13:09 pm »
Nothing really looks out of line to me. The SO4 is high compared to what I usually use, but for an IPA I doubt it is too high. 
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boulderbrewer

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Re: Did I add too much CaCO3 and gypsum?
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2009, 07:45:45 pm »
I like to have the Bicarbonate at least two thirds of the Sulfate, one half is even better. The values don't look like enough to get you minerally taste. Let's hope it is the taster.

Offline Pawtucket Patriot

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Re: Did I add too much CaCO3 and gypsum?
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2009, 07:55:15 am »
Thanks for the replies.  I didn't think my numbers seemed too out of whack.  I guess I'll just have to keep tasting!   ;D
Matt Schwandt | Minneapolis, MN
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Offline stagheadstout

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Re: Did I add too much CaCO3 and gypsum?
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2009, 01:21:39 pm »
Out of curiosity, how did you test your water after the mineral additions? Did you have to send it away or are there home kits for this? Or I suppose you may have just calculated based on city water report plus what you added. At any rate, I'm cusious as how to get these numbers. Thanks. SHS

Offline ndcube

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Re: Did I add too much CaCO3 and gypsum?
« Reply #5 on: December 02, 2009, 01:26:03 pm »
I can't speak for the OP but I just do the calcs based on my starting water profile (city / distilled / mix of the two).  I suspect most do it that way.

Offline Pawtucket Patriot

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Re: Did I add too much CaCO3 and gypsum?
« Reply #6 on: December 02, 2009, 02:56:42 pm »
I have Ward Labs do an analysis of my water every couple of years.  I based my water analysis above on my water profile plus CaCO3 and gypsum additions.

www.wardlab.com
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Matt Schwandt | Minneapolis, MN
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