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target water profile

Russell

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  doing a Westvletern 12, what target water profile do I need for this Belgian Dark Strong
 
There are plenty of ways to go. 

If you are using the basic profiles based upon color and flavor I would suggest the following options:

I choose the 'dry' since I typically want my Belgian styles to be clean and crisp finish and very light drinking.  Depending upon how dark, you can go either the Brown or the Black.  If you want it a little more malty in the finish, you can go to a more balanced profile.

Brown Dry (18-30 SRM)
Calcium: 50.00 ppm
Sulfate: 99.00 ppm
Magnesium: 15.00 ppm
Chloride: 45.00 ppm
Sodium: 27.00 ppm
Bicarbonate: 95.00 ppm


Black Dry (Over 31 SRM)
Calcium: 50.00 ppm
Sulfate: 84.00 ppm
Magnesium: 15.00 ppm
Chloride: 39.00 ppm
Sodium: 33.00 ppm
Bicarbonate: 145.00 ppm   


The basic recommendations by style give a range which are pretty broad, so you can fit anywhere in the range.  Where you target the balance of Cl:SO4 will be a personal choice of where you like it to be.

26D. Belgian Dark Strong Ale (2015) Strong Ale - Brown / Black
        Ca Mg Na SO4 Cl HCO3
MIN 50 0 0 50 50 100
MAX 100 30 150 150 150 250
AVG 75 15 75 100 100 175

My own personal water profiles are built off of my well water, but I make it even easier by just making the adjustment in ions for the taste I want and then target the pH through acidulated malt.  That way I really only have 5 basic water profiles:  Dry, Balanced, Full, Stout, and NEIPA. 
 
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