BeerBorg

Does anyone use this spreadsheet?

After reading all the posts about water, I've decided to try to understand the chemistry. Before I used to just use filtered tap, but after getting my water analyzed I never realized that my water had way too much sodium. Using the spreadsheet with a 50-50 dilution rate with distilled water I was able to get a very close water profile for a Pale Ale. I stopped using the 5.2 stabilizer, and just added gypsum, espsom salt, chalk, and lactic acid according to the profile on the spreadsheet. I also adjusted my sparge water, something that I had never done before. My ph for the mash was at exactly 5.2, and my sparge was right around 5.6. I hit my SG right on the numbers, and the taste of my hydro sample is amazing.

When all is said and done, my beers were good before, but now I feel like they are taking on a new level.

Thats awesome to hear. I dont know anyone who doesnt want to make their beer better. Be sure to post back how the finished beer is.

Glad to hear that you've found a way to improve your brewing water, it's amazing how easy it is to make better tasting beer by making some fairly simple adjustments. The flavors are more complex and deeper when your water profile is adjusted correctly, that's something not achievable by tinkering with grains and yeast alone.

ScrewyBrewer wrote:Glad to hear that you've found a way to improve your brewing water, it's amazing how easy it is to make better tasting beer by making some fairly simple adjustments. The flavors are more complex and deeper when your water profile is adjusted correctly, that's something not achievable by tinkering with grains and yeast alone.

It's amazing what plugging in a few numbers in a spreadsheet can do. Also, my fermentation took off within a few hours. I do not look at water the same way anymore, exactly like you said. Finally I've could a use for chemistry.

I don't use Bru'n Water, but it's like Beersmith to me, I don't use that program either but they are great programs for the brewer. I use EZ water calculator and it serves the same purpose with an easier layout. The important part is you found something that works for you, that's all that counts.

Keep us posted on how things turn out.

Martin updated Bru'n Water this month.
Storing and recalling adjustments by recipe is its best new feature.

New users may feel a bit overwhelmed by the 'water science' information presented but the tool portion is easy to set-up (needs results from a water test) and use. Tweaking your water with a little gypsum ... NaCl ... calcium chloride ... and Epsom salts will rocket your home beer to the next level.

Freeware available @ https://sites.google.com/site/brunwater/home
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Brun-Water-464551136933908/

You can get an enhanced share-ware version for a donation of your choosing.
IMO ... it's well worth the cost of a batch of home beer.