HRM Water Profiles

A spot to talk general homebrew
User avatar
Jayme
Award Winner 2
Award Winner 2
Posts: 2733
Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 6:27 pm
Name: Jayme
Location: Halifax

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by Jayme » Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:39 am

I can usually get chalk to 'stay in solution' if I just stir it a few times. It might not technically be dissolved, but works fine for me.

Wait for this to come out Jimmy... haha
http://www.amazon.ca/Water-Comprehensiv ... 770&sr=8-2
Certified BJCP Beer Judge
---------------------------------------
Delta Force Brewery - (chuck norris approved)

User avatar
Jimmy
Site Admin Award Winner
Site Admin Award Winner
Posts: 6984
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 6:35 pm
Location: Halifax, NS

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by Jimmy » Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:01 am

Jayme wrote:I can usually get chalk to 'stay in solution' if I just stir it a few times. It might not technically be dissolved, but works fine for me.

Wait for this to come out Jimmy... haha
http://www.amazon.ca/Water-Comprehensiv ... 770&sr=8-2
Oh I've been waiting. That's my most anticipated book of the series.

User avatar
LeafMan66_67
Award Winner 2
Award Winner 2
Posts: 4596
Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:10 am
Name: Derek Stapleton
Location: Lower Sackville, NS

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by LeafMan66_67 » Tue Jan 28, 2014 7:16 am

2012-2013 report is available from HRM website

http://www.halifax.ca/hrwc/documents/Po ... 3AKrev.pdf
"He was a wise man who invented beer." - Plato

User avatar
RubberToe
Award Winner 13
Award Winner 13
Posts: 3743
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:47 am
Name: Rob
Location: Dartmouth
Contact:

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by RubberToe » Tue Jan 28, 2014 7:51 am

Thanks, updating my Beersmith water profile for Dartmouth. Does anyone recall how to get the value for Bicarbonate (HCO3) from what we have there? They show alkalinity in CaCO3. I forget what I did last time, maybe some online thing.
Electric Brewery Build
On tap at RubberToe's:
Sometimes on a Sunday Belgian Dubbel, Oaked Old Ale, Ordinary Bitter

User avatar
LeafMan66_67
Award Winner 2
Award Winner 2
Posts: 4596
Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:10 am
Name: Derek Stapleton
Location: Lower Sackville, NS

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by LeafMan66_67 » Tue Jan 28, 2014 8:03 am

RubberToe wrote:Thanks, updating my Beersmith water profile for Dartmouth. Does anyone recall how to get the value for Bicarbonate (HCO3) from what we have there? They show alkalinity in CaCO3. I forget what I did last time, maybe some online thing.
I think it is: 61*(alkalinity as CaCO3)/50
"He was a wise man who invented beer." - Plato

User avatar
RubberToe
Award Winner 13
Award Winner 13
Posts: 3743
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:47 am
Name: Rob
Location: Dartmouth
Contact:

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by RubberToe » Tue Jan 28, 2014 8:29 am

From multiple sources on the 'net I see that 1 ppm of CaCO3 yields 0.61 ppm of HCO3.

However, which value in the report do we use for CaCO3? There's "Alkalinity (as CaCO3): 17.0 ppm" and "Hardness (as CaCO3): 20.5 ppm". I'll revisit this later.
Electric Brewery Build
On tap at RubberToe's:
Sometimes on a Sunday Belgian Dubbel, Oaked Old Ale, Ordinary Bitter

User avatar
RubberToe
Award Winner 13
Award Winner 13
Posts: 3743
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:47 am
Name: Rob
Location: Dartmouth
Contact:

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by RubberToe » Tue Jan 28, 2014 8:42 am

Yeah Derek, we use the alkalinity value. Thanks.
Electric Brewery Build
On tap at RubberToe's:
Sometimes on a Sunday Belgian Dubbel, Oaked Old Ale, Ordinary Bitter

User avatar
GuingesRock
Award Winner 20+
Award Winner 20+
Posts: 5190
Joined: Wed May 29, 2013 2:26 pm
Name: Mark
Location: Wolfville, NS

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by GuingesRock » Tue Jan 28, 2014 8:54 am

Did the profiles down there change much, or are they roughly the same ...year to year?
-Mark
2nd place, Canadian Brewer of the Year, 2015
101 awards won for beers designed and brewed.
Cicerone Program - Certified Beer Server

User avatar
RubberToe
Award Winner 13
Award Winner 13
Posts: 3743
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:47 am
Name: Rob
Location: Dartmouth
Contact:

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by RubberToe » Tue Jan 28, 2014 9:02 am

Dartmouth only had a few values increase in the tenths.
Electric Brewery Build
On tap at RubberToe's:
Sometimes on a Sunday Belgian Dubbel, Oaked Old Ale, Ordinary Bitter

User avatar
jacinthebox
Award Winner 16
Award Winner 16
Posts: 3047
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:44 pm
Name: Justin
Location: Hubley
Contact:

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by jacinthebox » Wed Mar 19, 2014 2:45 pm

taking my Hubley Well Water in for testing tomorrow...will report back for folks around me
Brathair Brewing



Brew Hard...Stay Humble

User avatar
evanisnor
Verified User
Verified User
Posts: 213
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:10 am
Name: Evan Isnor
Location: Windsor

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by evanisnor » Mon Dec 29, 2014 1:57 pm

Even though Windsor is outside of HRM and this thread doesn't get updated that often, I feel compelled to share the latest report.

Code: Select all

Sample Location:    Cole Dr (Windsor, NS)
Sample Date:        15-Dec-2014
Calcium:            10.7
Magnesium:          0.4
Sodium:             7.9
Chloride:           4
Sulfate:            24
Bicarb. Alkalinity (ppm as CaCO3):  7
Bicarbonate (as HCO3):  8.54
Hardness:           28.4
pH:                 6.94
I have also been entering these numbers into Brewer's Friend, as the mash chemistry tool is fantastic. You'll see them all if you visit the public profile index and do a Ctrl+F for Windsor. I have a good report with the town water guy so I update Brewer's Friend when I can.

Windsor uses Chlorine, but the report suggests that there are traces of Chloramines present. I recommend using campden tablets to save time anyway. I also recommend throwing in a bit of Epsom salt to boost the magnesium content as Windsor doesn't have much at all.

:cheers:

User avatar
Woody
Award Winner 4
Award Winner 4
Posts: 1182
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:39 am
Name: Derek
Location: Truro, NS

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by Woody » Mon Dec 29, 2014 2:27 pm

Good to hear. Brewers friend as you mention is great. Take your additions and water numbers and plug them into EZ Water Calculator to lock in your mash PH. I use the PH test strips which have been working for me.

User avatar
evanisnor
Verified User
Verified User
Posts: 213
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:10 am
Name: Evan Isnor
Location: Windsor

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by evanisnor » Mon Dec 29, 2014 2:42 pm

Does EZ Water calculate pH better than Brewer's Friend does?

My last 3 BIAB batches I used 10% phosphoric acid to drop pH, but I was shooting blind without test strips. Still had good results. I've got a meter in the mail as we speak, though.

User avatar
GuingesRock
Award Winner 20+
Award Winner 20+
Posts: 5190
Joined: Wed May 29, 2013 2:26 pm
Name: Mark
Location: Wolfville, NS

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by GuingesRock » Mon Dec 29, 2014 3:07 pm

evanisnor wrote:Even though Windsor is outside of HRM and this thread doesn't get updated that often, I feel compelled to share the latest report.

Code: Select all

Sample Location:    Cole Dr (Windsor, NS)
Sample Date:        15-Dec-2014
Calcium:            10.7
Magnesium:          0.4
Sodium:             7.9
Chloride:           4
Sulfate:            24
Bicarb. Alkalinity (ppm as CaCO3):  7
Bicarbonate (as HCO3):  8.54
Hardness:           28.4
pH:                 6.94
I have also been entering these numbers into Brewer's Friend, as the mash chemistry tool is fantastic. You'll see them all if you visit the public profile index and do a Ctrl+F for Windsor. I have a good report with the town water guy so I update Brewer's Friend when I can.

Windsor uses Chlorine, but the report suggests that there are traces of Chloramines present. I recommend using campden tablets to save time anyway. I also recommend throwing in a bit of Epsom salt to boost the magnesium content as Windsor doesn't have much at all.

:cheers:
You need to make some Bohemian Pilsner. That's really close to Pilsen water.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-Mark
2nd place, Canadian Brewer of the Year, 2015
101 awards won for beers designed and brewed.
Cicerone Program - Certified Beer Server

User avatar
Woody
Award Winner 4
Award Winner 4
Posts: 1182
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:39 am
Name: Derek
Location: Truro, NS

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by Woody » Mon Dec 29, 2014 3:09 pm

I haven't used Brewers Friend for mash PH but I might give it a try to see how they compare.

User avatar
evanisnor
Verified User
Verified User
Posts: 213
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:10 am
Name: Evan Isnor
Location: Windsor

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by evanisnor » Mon Dec 29, 2014 4:12 pm

GuingesRock wrote: You need to make some Bohemian Pilsner. That's really close to Pilsen water.
Wow! Good catch, I hadn't noticed! I'll give it a shot this summer.

I'm really happy with the water here in Windsor. Low mineral content and mid-range pH seems like a great start to building almost any water profile. So far I've brewed with the two "Balanced Profile" profiles from Brewer's Friend and I brewed a Robust Porter with a London profile. I keep lots of Gypsum, Epsom, CaCl, CaCO3 and Chalk on hand. I have a top secret supplier of Phosphoric acid as well 8-)

User avatar
GuingesRock
Award Winner 20+
Award Winner 20+
Posts: 5190
Joined: Wed May 29, 2013 2:26 pm
Name: Mark
Location: Wolfville, NS

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by GuingesRock » Mon Dec 29, 2014 4:38 pm

It sounds ideal. You have a clean slate. Windsor would be a good place for a commercial brewery. Paddy's was going to build a new brewery there but decided not to, because of the cost I think. There's an awesome brick building there with lots of windows not being used.
-Mark
2nd place, Canadian Brewer of the Year, 2015
101 awards won for beers designed and brewed.
Cicerone Program - Certified Beer Server

User avatar
ScottyLill
Verified User
Verified User
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2014 8:58 pm
Name: Scott Lillington
Location: Windsor, NS

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by ScottyLill » Mon Dec 29, 2014 5:17 pm

Thanks for posting Evan. I was looking for a water profile for Windsor and couldn't seem to find one on the town website. It will definitely help in the future.

User avatar
evanisnor
Verified User
Verified User
Posts: 213
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:10 am
Name: Evan Isnor
Location: Windsor

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by evanisnor » Mon Dec 29, 2014 7:06 pm

NP, Scott! I sent you a PM with details on how to obtain the reports.

User avatar
jacinthebox
Award Winner 16
Award Winner 16
Posts: 3047
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:44 pm
Name: Justin
Location: Hubley
Contact:

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by jacinthebox » Wed May 27, 2015 8:57 am

what scales are people using for mineral weighing? my current scale is ok for hops (.1oz & grams)
Brathair Brewing



Brew Hard...Stay Humble

User avatar
RubberToe
Award Winner 13
Award Winner 13
Posts: 3743
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:47 am
Name: Rob
Location: Dartmouth
Contact:

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by RubberToe » Wed May 27, 2015 8:59 am

http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page ... 25&p=68352" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Electric Brewery Build
On tap at RubberToe's:
Sometimes on a Sunday Belgian Dubbel, Oaked Old Ale, Ordinary Bitter

User avatar
Jimmy
Site Admin Award Winner
Site Admin Award Winner
Posts: 6984
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2010 6:35 pm
Location: Halifax, NS

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by Jimmy » Wed May 27, 2015 9:04 am


User avatar
jacinthebox
Award Winner 16
Award Winner 16
Posts: 3047
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:44 pm
Name: Justin
Location: Hubley
Contact:

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by jacinthebox » Wed May 27, 2015 9:05 am

you, my man, are awesome
Brathair Brewing



Brew Hard...Stay Humble

User avatar
Keith
Award Winner 6
Award Winner 6
Posts: 6479
Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 3:55 pm
Name: Keith
Location: Lower Sackville, NS

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by Keith » Wed May 27, 2015 9:50 am

I use the same for hops and water additions. Cats meow.
Brewer, Owner & Operator @ Ol' Biddy's Brew House
:cheers2:

User avatar
jacinthebox
Award Winner 16
Award Winner 16
Posts: 3047
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:44 pm
Name: Justin
Location: Hubley
Contact:

Re: HRM Water Profiles

Post by jacinthebox » Wed May 27, 2015 9:56 am

were they stocked in store? Or did you order online?

It's around the corner from work, so I could stop in
Brathair Brewing



Brew Hard...Stay Humble

Post Reply

Return to “General Homebrew Discussion”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Ahrefs [Bot] and 20 guests