Reducing water alkalinity

[auralabuse]

Just a quick one,  what do you use for the above?,  I read that phosphoric acid imparts the least taste to a beer but doesn't seem to be stocked on the Homebrew websites?.  I just got a pH meter so hopefully should be able to keep the water profiles in check from now on. 

[imark]

I use lactic acid to adjust my mash. A few ml is all that's needed and I haven't been able to taste it in end results.

[Hop Bomb]

Acid malt & salts in my mash for PH adjustment. Lactic acid sometimes if Ive no acid malt. Some salts for flavour in the kettle. Using ez water calculator to dial it in.

[Qs]

I use acid malt too in my pale beers. Roast malts do the job in dark beers.

[auralabuse]

I read that phosphoric acid imparts the least taste to a beer but doesn't seem to be stocked on the Homebrew websites?.

http://www.homebrewwest.ie/brewferm-phosphoric-acid-75-250-ml-406-grams-3343-p.asp

Weird,  I went through that website earlier and couldn't find any.  Although I was on the mobile,  thanks for that and all the replies,  some more Reading I think

[RichC]

I use acid malt and salts to target ph and ive also used lemon juice to tweak it down a little after dough in

[Beerbuddha]

Why have you got that water profile ?
I had the same as I have a well so I went RO system route.

[auralabuse]

Why have you got that water profile ?
I had the same as I have a well so I went RO system route.

I was brewing nice dark beers and shitty  light styles.  A bit of reading suggested one of the problems could be an alkaline water profile.  I downloaded the profile for the area and bingo.  Very high alkalinity.  Just wondering,  do you recommend sorting the water before adding grain or getting a pH reading after mash in and adding acid malts then?

[Beerbuddha]

When I was brewing from my well water I used carbonate reducing solution...CRS.
It's a mixture of acids and can buy it I'm homebrew company. €3
I was using a water calculator from British homebrew site I think. I added in my profile and beer type it gave me additions to add including amount of crs to add before mashing.

[auralabuse]

When I was brewing from my well water I used carbonate reducing solution...CRS.
It's a mixture of acids and can buy it I'm homebrew company. €3
I was using a water calculator from British homebrew site I think. I added in my profile and beer type it gave me additions to add including amount of crs to add before mashing.

I'm gonna try the acid malt for the next Batch just to try keep things as natural as possible.  You mentioned your water profile,  was that a test you did yourself each time you brewed?

[Beerbuddha]

No I got water analysis done and tbh my beers where spot on after.
It's like my aquarium water. I used to test it's quality every few days but over years realized it was waste time and money. If fish where not happy they could show me via health. So like beer if it tastes great no need to do individual tests each time you wanna brew. But it's good to familiarize yourself I guess.

Acid malt is malt sprayed with light coating of acid.
Would adding acid to water not really be the same thing ?
I think the Germans use it as a way of cheating there purity laws just like they can't add zinc which helps yeast BUT impellers on their pumps in rousing tanks are zinc plated.

[Qs]

When I was brewing from my well water I used carbonate reducing solution...CRS.
It's a mixture of acids and can buy it I'm homebrew company. €3
I was using a water calculator from British homebrew site I think. I added in my profile and beer type it gave me additions to add including amount of crs to add before mashing.

I'm gonna try the acid malt for the next Batch just to try keep things as natural as possible.  You mentioned your water profile,  was that a test you did yourself each time you brewed?

Try 2% acid malt and see if it helps your PH.

[auralabuse]

No I got water analysis done and tbh my beers where spot on after.
It's like my aquarium water. I used to test it's quality every few days but over years realized it was waste time and money. If fish where not happy they could show me via health. So like beer if it tastes great no need to do individual tests each time you wanna brew. But it's good to familiarize yourself I guess.

Acid malt is malt sprayed with light coating of acid.
Would adding acid to water not really be the same thing ?
I think the Germans use it as a way of cheating there purity laws just like they can't add zinc which helps yeast BUT impellers on their pumps in rousing tanks are zinc plated.

Now I didn't know that,  I thought it was a malt high in natural acids,  those sneaky Germans.  So my plan for the next Batch which is an IPA,  input water profile into one of the online calcs ,  follow acid addition amounts generated to level down the pH and I'm hoping for a great IPA.  All other attempts were soapy and just not right.

[Beerbuddha]

I used Graham s water calculator via jimsbeerkit forum.
Not too hard to use. Click adjust with crs at top.

This is when the bug starts.....next you will want to use something like bru'n water calculator to get the best from water. Malty....hippy ect ect. Then probably like me say shag my water as I can add to the water but let's say a pilsner or something you can't subtract all minerals so as I did I got RO system which leaves me with a blank canvas to start with. Just a tip on ro system they are beneficial health wise so help towards convincing the other half of the investment. Don't mention brewing or games up.

But do what your planning there and you should have lovely ipa.

[auralabuse]

I used Graham s water calculator via jimsbeerkit forum.
Not too hard to use. Click adjust with crs at top.

This is when the bug starts.....next you will want to use something like bru'n water calculator to get the best from water. Malty....hippy ect ect. Then probably like me say shag my water as I can add to the water but let's say a pilsner or something you can't subtract all minerals so as I did I got RO system which leaves me with a blank canvas to start with. Just a tip on ro system they are beneficial health wise so help towards convincing the other half of the investment. Don't mention brewing or games up.

But do what your planning there and you should have lovely ipa.

A cunning plan   I actually plan a ro system with softener next year as the water is beyond hard here.  Thanks for all the answers bb and everyone else,  this place really is invaluable