I'm thinking of brewing a Russian imperial stout. I got the recipe from Brewing Classic Styles. I am using Bru'n Water and the Black Balanced profile.
But I'm having a hard time hitting the pH and mineral numbers. The grist is so acidic that it requires a lot of adjustment. I tried raising the pH with baking soda but that put in way too much sodium. So I moved to pickling lime. And it's requiring a lot of pickling like (to my eyes, at least) to push up the pH. The target bicarbonate amount is 61 but my adjusted water is 165. Target calcium is 29 and my adjusted amount is 92. The other numbers look good. And even with all that my pH is only 5.16. I think I need to get it to around 5.4.
My concern is creating a beer that is too mineral tasting. That seems unwise. When I see levels way above what should be there it makes it me nervous.
I have chalk on hand as well but my understanding is that chalk is to be avoided when possible.
Since this is a small batch (one gallon) I am only treating six liters of mash water.
Thoughts?
Thank you.
But I'm having a hard time hitting the pH and mineral numbers. The grist is so acidic that it requires a lot of adjustment. I tried raising the pH with baking soda but that put in way too much sodium. So I moved to pickling lime. And it's requiring a lot of pickling like (to my eyes, at least) to push up the pH. The target bicarbonate amount is 61 but my adjusted water is 165. Target calcium is 29 and my adjusted amount is 92. The other numbers look good. And even with all that my pH is only 5.16. I think I need to get it to around 5.4.
My concern is creating a beer that is too mineral tasting. That seems unwise. When I see levels way above what should be there it makes it me nervous.
I have chalk on hand as well but my understanding is that chalk is to be avoided when possible.
Since this is a small batch (one gallon) I am only treating six liters of mash water.
Thoughts?
Thank you.