Brewing water composition quiz Flashcards
What effect does chloride have on beer flavour?
Chloride is thought to give beer body and fullness to the palate, as well as sweetness (up to 300 mg/L). Levels greater than this can give an overly full mouthfeel or salty taste.
Excess chloride can lead to undesirable flavours.
What role does sulphate play in beer flavour?
Sulphate is thought to emphasise bitterness and dryness. Levels greater than 400 mg/L can cause astringent and unpleasant bitterness.
Sulphate can act as a precursor to off-flavours like H2S and SO2.
What is the effect of a zinc level of 5 mg/L in beer?
Zinc at these levels can cause an astringent flavour and inhibit yeast growth, leading to unfermented and other off-flavours.
What is the impact of a 2:1 chloride:sulphate ratio?
This ratio is thought to emphasise the sweetness of malt-led beers.
How does sodium affect beer flavour at levels below 150 mg/L?
Sodium levels below 150 mg/L are thought to contribute to a full and sweet palate. Greater than 150 mg/L contributes salty/sour notes.
What is the mineral content of the base product water in the brewery?
Calcium – 30 mg/L, Sulphate – 50 mg/L, Chloride – 50 mg/L.
What is the molecular weight (mw) of Calcium (Ca)?
40.
What is the molecular weight (mw) of Sulphate (SO4)?
96.
What is the molecular weight (mw) of Chloride (Cl2)?
71.
What is the molecular weight (mw) of Water (H2O)?
18.
What adjustments are needed for brewing an amber lager?
Increase calcium and chloride levels and maintain a 2:1 chloride:sulphate ratio.
How much calcium chloride (CaCl2.2H2O) is required to achieve a target addition of 50 mg/L of chloride?
103.5 mg/L of CaCl2.2H2O.
How much calcium is added by adding 103.5 mg/L of calcium chloride?
28 mg/L of calcium.
What is the total calcium level after adding 103.5 mg/L of calcium chloride?
58 mg/L.
What is the recommended calcium level for an amber lager?
50-75 mg/L.
What is the molecular weight of calcium sulphate (CaSO4.2H2O)?
172.
How much calcium is added when 104 mg/L of calcium sulphate is added?
24 mg/L of calcium.
How much sulphate is added when 104 mg/L of calcium sulphate is added?
58 mg/L of sulphate.
What is the new total sulphate level after adding calcium sulphate?
108 mg/L.
What is the final mineral composition after adding calcium sulphate?
Calcium – 54 mg/L, Sulphate – 108 mg/L, Chloride – 50 mg/L.
What is the final chloride:sulphate ratio after adding calcium sulphate?
1:2.
