confused !

[johnluc]

Hi all, have all i need for water treatment except calcium chloride, looking to see where i can order it from found calcium chloride flakes on the homebrew company site, reading the info it states "an alternative water treatment to gypsum" if this is the case why would i need to add both gypsum & calcium chloride to my water as the water treatment calculator says.
johnluc

 

[Aleman]

Both add calcium which is important in getting the mash pH in the 'ideal' range of 5.3 to 5.7 . . . assuming you alkalinity is in the correct range to start with

gypsum will add sulphate which has the effect of 'drying out' the beer, enhancing bitterness

Calcium chloride will enhance the malt profile and palate fullness making the beer taste rounder

Using a mixture ensures that these flavour characteristics are in balance . . .of course for some beer styles you may wat to influence the flavour profile one way or another (IPA's APA's english bitters you want a more gypseous liquor, but for a pilsner or perhaps a mild you would want to use calcium chloride more or less exclusively)

 

[johnluc]

thanks aleman, not so confused now :thumb: