Javaslinger
Brewer
- Joined
- May 5, 2017
- Messages
- 43
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So I finally got a decent pH meter and began tracking pH during my last mash. I was brewing a pale ale so did not expect a lowering of the pH from the grain bill. Beersmith determined my pH without acid adjustment (but with mineral additions) to be 5.67 and suggested 5ml of Lactic Acid to get a pH of 5.4 during the mash.
I added 5.ml of lactic acid with the mineral prior to adding the grains as climbed toward the strike temp. I was shocked to find the pH at this point to be 3.96.
After adding the grain bill I checked the pH about 10 minutes into the mash and found it to be 4.17.
And near the end of the mash I took another pH measurement and found a finally reasonable pH of 5.2.
Is this a normal pH trajectory during the mash? Did I start too low?
Also, how does Beersmith calculate this pH? I noted that after adding my water additions the pH Beersmith was calculating did not change one iota. I would have expected the mineral additions to have some impact on pH or at least residual alkalinity.
Any thoughts, opinions or advice?
I added 5.ml of lactic acid with the mineral prior to adding the grains as climbed toward the strike temp. I was shocked to find the pH at this point to be 3.96.
After adding the grain bill I checked the pH about 10 minutes into the mash and found it to be 4.17.
And near the end of the mash I took another pH measurement and found a finally reasonable pH of 5.2.
Is this a normal pH trajectory during the mash? Did I start too low?
Also, how does Beersmith calculate this pH? I noted that after adding my water additions the pH Beersmith was calculating did not change one iota. I would have expected the mineral additions to have some impact on pH or at least residual alkalinity.
Any thoughts, opinions or advice?