I have a situation where I am looking at using phosphoric acid to reduce the alkalinity of some pretty hard and alkaline brewing liquor (256 total alkalinity and 410 total hardness, both as CaCO3). A quick run of Mr. Brungard's Bru'n Water spreadsheet gives me the quantities I need to go from ph 7.2 to 5.7 for both strike and sparge water.
And then I make the mistake of turning to Appendix B of Water, where I learn about the high likelihood of precipitating hydroxyl apatite and reducing the Ca in solution to something like 35-ish ppm.
The appendix notes that this would result in a further pH reduction, which I don't see as an immediate issue -- this is for a very pale beer -- unless that pH reduction is really significant.
Are there any other significant consequences to precipitating apatite (in the HLT, pre-mash and pre-sparge)? Could it reduce the effectiveness of a gypsum addition to the mash or boil? Any other potential downstream negative consequences? Or can additional calcium additions to the mash make up for losses as apatite?
Thanks in advance!
And then I make the mistake of turning to Appendix B of Water, where I learn about the high likelihood of precipitating hydroxyl apatite and reducing the Ca in solution to something like 35-ish ppm.
The appendix notes that this would result in a further pH reduction, which I don't see as an immediate issue -- this is for a very pale beer -- unless that pH reduction is really significant.
Are there any other significant consequences to precipitating apatite (in the HLT, pre-mash and pre-sparge)? Could it reduce the effectiveness of a gypsum addition to the mash or boil? Any other potential downstream negative consequences? Or can additional calcium additions to the mash make up for losses as apatite?
Thanks in advance!