All of my stouts, without exception, have turned out great.
All my other beer has had different results based on the style.
I have never used any water treatment apart from ph5.2 stabiliser to sort out the alkalinity.
What would you suggest for a pale if the water is suited to stout?
Do you use campden tablets to treat your water by any chance. Overdoing the use of this tablet is common as alot of people have a tendency to think it cures all.
Have you a water analysis at all? Where is your water from ? if you don't.
Looking at this you get supplied from Poulaphouca if you are mains?
http://kildare.ie/countycouncil/waterservices/WaterSupply/WaterQuality/
I am guessing they would give you a report which will tell you the story.
I'm on a well myself but have heard for those on mains a lot of the chlorine will migrate out if water is left 24 hours before use even without Campden tablet?
Anybody else heard/practice this?
Thanks for you views.
Never used campden tablets, except for wine, never treated my water, except for ph5.2 stabiliser.
I actually think it is my tastebuds but will have to bring along a few mixed bottles when we ever get a meet up sorted out.
The darker malts used for brewing stouts can handle carbonates better than pale malts. You should try treating your water after you have determined the level of carbonate you have. I have a kit for testing it. pm me and I will meet up with you to test it.
A simple test, next time you're brewing a pale beer pre-boil your liquor and let it cool, rack it off the solids and precede as normal