So now that i have two AG batches under my belt i have started to go deeper into the chemistry of brewing water.Before i did the two batches i spent a few weeks building up equipment and using one of those water test kits from the tropical fish store.I know you can send a sample out to be tested but in my nieve mind state i figured the one i had would be adequate and as i looked at the results of my tap water i was lost.All that i could really pull from the test was,my water is very hard and high in alkalinity.
So for my first two AG beers i made a BIPA and a BPA one is bottle conditioning and one is still in the primary.Mash temps were good,sparge temps consistent and Efficiency was around 75/78%.I used distilled water and two gallons of spring water thinking that was enough to add some mineral content back to the water.I scoured through this forum and many others and came up with a basic addition of calcium and gypsum in which i used.I know i will get yelled at for messing with my water instead of getting down my process but i feel comfortable with my process just not the science part.
So my next step is to get a brewing water program,which one is the best?Is there a way to find a program more suited to using Distilled or RO water?What kind of books should i be reading?Not looking to match the brewing water in Dublin or any other city or country I am just looking to match mineral addition to style to match flavor,body and PH.Sorry for the long post but i want to make the best beer i can and i feel this is the most important part any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Many of you have probably traveled down this road before and i must say it is upfront very daunting.
So for my first two AG beers i made a BIPA and a BPA one is bottle conditioning and one is still in the primary.Mash temps were good,sparge temps consistent and Efficiency was around 75/78%.I used distilled water and two gallons of spring water thinking that was enough to add some mineral content back to the water.I scoured through this forum and many others and came up with a basic addition of calcium and gypsum in which i used.I know i will get yelled at for messing with my water instead of getting down my process but i feel comfortable with my process just not the science part.
So my next step is to get a brewing water program,which one is the best?Is there a way to find a program more suited to using Distilled or RO water?What kind of books should i be reading?Not looking to match the brewing water in Dublin or any other city or country I am just looking to match mineral addition to style to match flavor,body and PH.Sorry for the long post but i want to make the best beer i can and i feel this is the most important part any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Many of you have probably traveled down this road before and i must say it is upfront very daunting.