To gypsum or not to gypsum...

[Thirsty Mallard]

I think there have been conflicting reports on whether or not I need to use Gypsum with my water.

I am brewing an American Pale Ale. We have extremely soft water from a water softening system at my house.

Do I need to add the salts to harden it up?

[Homegrown Hops]

Gypsum should harden the water by adding more Calcium, if you added salt (rock or solar salt)would that not soften the water even further? Maybe some friends could bring you some non-soft water or get some bottled?

HH

[Bugeater]

Water from a water softener and brewing do not mix well. The salts added by the softener tend to make for nasty tastes in beer. I would recommend taking your brewing water from a tap before the water softener (e.g., line to toilet stool or to outside spigots). If that water is excessively hard, you can dilute it with distilled or reverse osmosis water. Get a copy of the water analysis from your utility company and figure adjustments from there.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

[Dr Scott]

Don't mix Gypsum Ca(SO4), w/ water softener water. Water softeners use an ion exchange system. Ca+ ==> Na+ (it takes out the Ca that you need in the mash)

High levels of Na (Sodium from the softener) and high levels of SO4 (sulfate from the gypsum) will cause a nasty harshness to your beer.

Get a water analysis and let's take a look at it before you start adding stuff.

[Thirsty Mallard]

Hmm, how do I go about testing my water?

We are on land and have well-water. Do I take a sample and send it off?

[Dr Scott]

Hmm, how do I go about testing my water?

We are on land and have well-water. Do I take a sample and send it off?

Try here http://www.wardlab.com/