BEER BREWING WATER CHEMISTRY Explained SIMPLY | How to BUILD A WATER PROFILE for a Beer

Introduction

Customizing your brewing water is a crucial step in enhancing the quality of your beer. Although often overlooked, water makes up 97% of beer and significantly affects its appearance, aroma, mouthfeel, and flavor. This tutorial will guide you through understanding water chemistry, building a water profile, and making necessary adjustments for optimal brewing results.

Step 1: Dealing with Chlorine and Chloramines

• Understand the Problem: Chlorine and chloramines can negatively impact beer flavor.
• Solutions:
  • Use a charcoal filter to remove chlorine and chloramines from your water.
  • Alternatively, boil your water for 15-20 minutes to evaporate chlorine.
  • For chloramines, consider adding Campden tablets, which can neutralize them effectively.

Step 2: Understanding Ions and Their Effects

• Key Ions:
  • Calcium: Enhances mouthfeel and promotes yeast health.
  • Magnesium: Important for yeast metabolism, but too much can lead to bitterness.
  • Sodium: Adds sweetness but should be used sparingly.
  • Sulfates: Enhance hop bitterness and dryness.
  • Chlorides: Contribute to malt sweetness and fullness.
• Recommended Levels:
  • Aim for balanced levels based on the style of beer you are brewing. Use resources like brewing books or online calculators for specific recommendations.

Step 3: Selecting Brewing Salts

• Common Brewing Salts:
  • Calcium Sulfate (Gypsum): Increases sulfate levels.
  • Calcium Chloride: Enhances chloride levels and adds sweetness.
  • Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate): Adds magnesium and sulfate.
  • Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): Raises pH in acidic water.
• Practical Tip: Start with small amounts and adjust based on taste tests during brewing.

Step 4: Adjusting Mash pH

• Importance of pH: The ideal mash pH range is between 5.2 and 5.6.
• Testing pH:
  • Use a pH meter for accuracy. Consider a LaMotte test kit for home use.
• Adjusting pH:
  • If pH is too low, add baking soda.
  • If pH is too high, use phosphoric acid or lactic acid to lower it.

Step 5: Determining Your Base Water Profile

• Test Your Water: Use a water testing kit to analyze your base water profile.
• Evaluate the Results: Identify the levels of various ions present in your water.
• Adjust Based on the Style: Different beer styles may require different water profiles (e.g., pale ales may benefit from higher sulfate levels).

Step 6: Building a Water Profile Using Brewer's Friend

• Access the Calculator: Go to the Brewer's Friend Water Calculator.
• Input Your Base Profile: Enter the results from your water test.
• Adjust Ions: Follow the calculator's recommendations to achieve your desired profile based on the beer style.
• Save Your Profile: Keep a record for future brewing sessions.

Conclusion

Understanding and adjusting your brewing water can significantly improve the quality of your beer. By following these steps—dealing with chlorine, understanding ions, selecting the right salts, adjusting mash pH, determining your water profile, and using tools like Brewer's Friend—you can create a customized water profile that enhances your brewing experience. Experiment with different profiles and keep notes on your results for continuous improvement. Happy brewing!