water ph

[gibb58]

Hi im trying to get as much knowledge as possible before i make the jump to ag. i have read a few things on the water ph but each time it gets a bit to scientific for my tiny brain to understand :lol: Can any one simply explain how to test your ph and what you do to correct it. Preferably in English :wha:

 

[bunkerbrewer]

1st AG? Don't worry about water :)

Just get your process right, enjoy the beer and see if it needs tweaking.

This was the advice I read before going AG, and it was good advice - there are far more important things to get right first.

 

[prolix]

pH measures acidity invented by brewing hurrah!

you want 5.2 to 5.5 ish, it can get really complicated here with all the chemistry going on and the effects of heat on pH but

the grains are naturally acidic and will settle at about 5-and-a-bit without any worry or measuring on your part.

You can buy indicator stripes for that range 4 to 6 or as close to as possible.

So in short don't worry about it unless there is something wrong with your beer or you wish to cure insomnia

 

[gibb58]

Just seems like there is so much to learn. But im sure it will all be worth it

 

[Swazi]

Erm, the water pH doesn't really matter at all. Any talk of pH in brewing is in reference to the mash.

 

[PD]

If your tap water is drinkable, then don't worry about water treatment apart from some campden powder to reduce the chlorines.
If your tap water is not nice to drink...use bottle water, then move house.... :)

 

[gibb58]

Erm, the water pH doesn't really matter at all. Any talk of pH in brewing is in reference to the mash.

ohhh so im completely miss-reading as already said i shall just make my first ag brew then worry about improving it when i am a bit more comfortable

 

[keith1664]

Like Piddle says, half a campden tablet to get rid of the chlorine/chloramine and don't worry about anything else until you're happy with the process and want to move up a notch.