Understanding Mash pH

From Homebrewtalk.com. No Author Attributed

This article tries to be yet another one that explains the concept of residual alkalinity and mash pH. For many all grain brewers this subject is the last frontier. For others, especially the ones cursed with very alkaline water, it is essential for brewing a wide range of styles.

Water and pH

 

 

Let’s start with distilled water. Pure water contains only H2O molecules. Some of these molecules disassociate into a hydronium (H+) and a hydroxyde (OH-) ion. pH (see Wikipedia pH) is a logarithmic measure of the hydronium ion concentration in a solution. In a solution at 25 °C, a pH of 7 indicates neutrality (i.e. the pH of pure water) because water naturally dissociates into H⁺ and OH^− ions with equal concentrations of 1×10^−7 mol/L [Wikipedia]. The illustration on the right shows distilled water where 2 of the water molecules disassociated into 2H⁺ and 2OH^-:

 

H₂0 <-> H⁺ + OH^-

 

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Alkalinity

 

 

When this water rains down from the atmosphere, it picks up CO₂ to form carbonoic acid (H₂CO3). Even more CO₂ is picked up while the water trickles through the soil producing even more carbonic acid. This carbonic acid is then able to react with minerals like calcium oxide to form calcium carbonate which does not disassociate form in water. The reactions for these processes are:

 

CO_{2 (g)} + H₂O_(l) —–> H₂CO₃

 

Carbonic acid is an acid as it increases the concentration of H₃0⁺ ions through two reactions:

 

H₂CO_{3 (aq)} + H₂O_(l) —–> H₃0⁺_(l) + HCO₃^–_(aq)

 

H₂CO_{3 (aq)} + H₂O_(l) —–> 2H₃0⁺_(l) + CO₃^2-_(aq)

 

This means that it can go on to react with Calcium Oxide which is a base meaning it removes H₃0⁺ ions from solution:

 

CaO_(s) + 2H₂CO_{3 (aq)} —> Ca(HCO₃)_{2 (s)} + H₂0_(aq)

 

This final reaction results in a decrease in the concentration of carbonic acid which in turn reduces the number of H₃0⁺ ions in solution. This results in an increased pH (less acidic: more alkali) as well as in a buffering capacity. The latter is the ability of the solution to resist a change of pH (concentration of hydronium ions) even if additional hydronium ions are added (e.g. the addition of an acid). The bicarbonate ion (HCO₃^–) reacts with the added hydronium ions (H⁺):

 

HCO₃^– + H⁺ -> H₂O + CO₂

 

Forming water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). This buffering capacity is called the alkalinity of the water and can be expressed as either ppm HCO₃^–_(aq).

 

 

 

Adding Malt

 

 

When malt is added, the malt’s phosphates (mainly Dipotassium phosphate K₂HPO₄ [Fix,1999]) dissolve in the mash water:

 

K₂HPO4₄ -> 2K⁺ + HPO₄^2-

 

 

 

Residual Alkalinity

 

 
Kolbach, a German brewing scientist, found that the malt’s phosphates react with the calcium and magnesium ions [Fix, 1999]:

 

3Ca²⁺ + 2HPO₄^2- <-> 2H⁺ + Ca₃(PO₄)₂

 

This reaction releases 2 hydronium ions (H⁺) as well as calcium phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂) which is pretty much insoluble in wort. The important aspect however is the release of 2 hydronium ions which can react with the bicarbonate ions (HCO₃^–) that are responsible for the water’s alkalinity [Narziss, 2005]:

 

H⁺ + HCO₃^– -> H₂O + CO₂

 

The result is a lowered alkalinity or buffering capacity of the water. If no more bicarbonate ions are present, the pH sinks due to the increase of hydronium (H⁺) ions. Kolbach’s work found that not all of the water’s calcium and magnesium ions take part in the above reaction. He found that only 2 out of 7 calcium ions and one out of 7 magnesium ions react with the malt’s phosphates to release hydronium ions. This resulted in the definition of residual alkalinity, which is the a measure of concentration of bicarbonates left over after the acidifying reaction between the malt’s phosphates and the water’s calcium and magnesium has been taken into account: When the calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate concentrations can be expressed in an unit that is equivalent to the ion concentration (as opposed to the weight concentration) of these ions (like dH (German Hardness), the equation for the residual alkalinity simply is:

 

RA = KH – (CH + 0.5 * MH)/3.5

 

Where RA is the residual alkalinity in dH, KH the alkalinity (carbonate hardness), CH the Calcium Hardness and MH the Magnesium Hardness. But a water report ususally doesn’t show these parameters as dH, especially not in a non-German country. In order to convert this formula such that it can be used with ppm as the unit, the molar weight of the carbonate, calcium and magnesium ions has to be taken into account. Though this is straight forward, it involves juggling a lot of numbers and since it doesn’t help in understanding water chemistry we just use what others already did on this subject.

 

Palmer’s book [Palmer, 2006] and how-to-brew.com [howtobrew.com], for example are great resources. Palmer developed a normograph that makes it easy to determine the residual alkalinity of brewing water graphically: howtobrew.com chapter 15

 

Malt and Beer Color

 

Residual Alkalinity is only one factor in the final mash pH. Another important factor is the color of the malts that are used. Darker malts (base malts as well as specialty malts) contribute additional acidity other than the one described above. This acidity also counteracts the alkalinity of the water and needs to be taken into account to ensure that the resulting mash pH is in the preferred range of 5.2 – 5.5. Although beer color has been taken into account in Palmer’s Nomograph for a Residual Alkalinity target, that relationship has been superceded by relationships which relate the color and type of malt and grain used in the grist to the Residual Alkalinity target of the mash water.

 

Measuring Mash pH

 

Though it is oftentimes good enough to target a particular residual alkalinity for a particular style of beer, only a measurement of the mash pH can tell how well this target has been achieved. The home brewer has 3 options to choose from:

 

Litmus paper

 

 

Litmus paper contains a dye that changes color when exposed to an acid or base. The extent of the color change is matched against a scale to determine the pH of the sample. Litmus paper, generally known as pH test strips, are a cheap way of determining the mash pH. But because they operate over a fairly large pH range and the dye tends to run into the sample they are hard to read. But they are sufficient to check if the mash pH is somewhat close to the anticipated target.

 

Pro

 

• cheap ($4 for a pack of 100 strips)
• no maintenance

 

Con

 

• difficult to read (+/ 0.5 pH)
• dye will run

 

 

 

precision test strips

 

 

EMD Chemicals makes pH test strips (colorpHast) that also use a pH sensitive dye, but this dye will not run like litmus paper. It also shows a stronger change of color over a narrow pH range which makes them easier to read and more precise than litmus paper. But a comparison against a pH meter has shown that these stips can show a systematic error that was also confirmed by EMD Chemicals: colorpHastStrips vs. a pH meter

 

Note that these strips have to be read in natural or tungsten light. Fluorescent light will make the reading appear in a different color. This can be a problem if you tend to brew late at night and have energy saving light bulbs.

 

Pro

 

• fairly easy to read with a reasonable accuracy of +/- 0.3 pH
• no maintenance

 

Con

 

• a little bit on the pricey side ($30 for 100 strips), but they can be cut in smaller strips to make the package last longer
• they can have a systematic error which makes it difficult to determine the pH with a higher accuracy

 

 

 

pH meter

 

 

A pH meter (Wikipedia: pH meter) converts the pH difference between the sample liquid and a reference liquid, which is inside a bulb at the tip of its probe, into a voltage difference that can be measured and converted into a pH reading. These instruments are able to measure pH very precisely. But this precision comes at a price: not only are pH meters relatively expensive, their electrodes have only a limited lifetime of 1-2 years when cared for well. They also require constant maintenance like calibration and the tip of the electrode needs to be stored wet.

 

Pro

 

• very accurate (+/- 0.01 pH for some models)
• easy to read

 

Con

 

• an average meter costs between $80 – $130
• a replacement electrode costs about $50-$60 and may need to be replaced every 1-2 years
• calibration necessary

 

 

 

What to get?

 

The ColorpHast pH measuring strips are the best value for the price. They can be cut into smaller strips to make them last and are sufficiently precise and easy to read for all grain brewing. But keep in mind that they can be off by a few 10th pH units and when you experience mash and sparge pH related off flavors, you may want to adjust the value read by a few 10th pH units.

 

A pH meter is recommended if you have other than mashing uses for it. Because of its precision it can also be used to monitor the pH of the fermentation and finished beer. A rise in the beer pH for example can be an indication of autolysis due to the release of the more basic/alkaline contents of yeast cells into the beer.

 

Means of adjusting the mash pH

 

When the mash pH has been measured and determined to be out of range, there are several methods available to fix this problem:

 

Lowering Mash pH

 

Calcium and Magnesium additions

 

 

According to the equation above, calcium and magnesium will reduce the mash pH if they are added as non carbonate/bicarbonate salts (Chalk CaCO3 does not lower the pH because it increases the alkalinity of the water). But since not all of the calcium and magnesium ions react with the malt’s phosphates, the amount that can be added to counteract the alkalinity of the water is limited by the calcium and magnesium levels appropriate for a particular style of beer. Another factor to be considered is, that Ca amd Mg need to be added as salts which will also contribute sulfates (calcium sulfate (Gypsum, CaSO4) and magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt, MgSO4)) and/or chlorides (calcium chloride (CaCl)). Too high of sulphate and chloride concentrations may also lead to undesirable beer flavors. Palmer suggests the following ranges for Ca, Mg, SO4 and Cl in brewing water [Palmer, 2005]:

 

• Calcium: 50 – 150 ppm
• Magnesium: 10 – 30 ppm (high levels taste sour/bitter)
• Sulfate: 50 – 150 ppm (accentuates hop bitterness, but high concentrations (>400) it is harsh and unpleasant)
• Chloride: 0 – 250 ppm (concentrations should generally be limited to less than 100 ppm)

 

The effect of the Sulfates on hop bitterness are one reason why many brewers prefer calcium chloride (CaCl) additions over gypsum (calcium sulfate, CaSO4) additions for mash acidification.

 

 

 

Foodgrade Acid Additions

 

 

Acid additions work by contributing H+ ions to the mash. These ions react with the bicarbonate ions to lower the alkalinity or simply increase the H+ concentration to lower the pH of the mash. Pretty much any food-grade acid, from phosphoric acid to vinegar (acedic acid), can be used in the mash. But brewers commonly only use phosphoric acid, sufuric acid or lactic acid. These acids provide flavors that are most compatible with beer. Like salts, acids will also contribute ions other than the needed hydronium ions (H+) to the mash:

 

• phosphoric acid: phosphates
• sulfuric acid: sulfates
• lactic acid: lactates

 

 

 

Sour Mash and Wort

 

Because of the Reinheitsgebot (German purity law for beer) German brewers are not allowed to use acid or salts in their mash. But when they tried to brew the now popular light colored lagers with alkaline water they failed until they added soured mash to the mash. The sour mash is a mash that has been partially fermented by lactic acid bacteria which are available in abundance on the malt and are, therefore, not a violation of the RHG. In order to do a sour mash, the brewer mashes some grains to convert the starch into sugars. Then the mash is cooled to 80°F (35°C) and some crushed malt is added to inoculate the mash with fresh lactic bacteria. This mash then sits overnight and starts fermenting. The next day it can be added to the regular mash and its lactic acid will serve to balance the alkalinity and lower the pH.

 

The big problem with sour mashing is its labor intensity and inconsistency. Because the bacteria on the malt is not a pure culture of Lactobacillus, other flavor compounds can be created in the sour mash, which may carry over into the finished beer.

 

Wort can also be soured to be used for mash acidification as well as acidification during the boil.

 

 

 

Acid Malt

 

 

From Narziss [Narziss, 2005]:

 

Sour malt (a.k.a acid malt) is used as an addition to the grist to enhance the acidity during the mash. This affects the wort pH and to a much lesser extent the beer pH. The active component of this specialty malt is lactic acid. This can be formed by the lactic acid bacteria that are present on the malt within 24 hours when the grain is steeped in 45 – 48°C (113 – 120°F) water. […] The soured malt is carefully dried and then kilned at a high temperature to kill the bacteria. With a lactic acid content of 2-4%, the water extract has a pH of 3.8. Such a water extract can also be used to acidify the wort during boiling

 

Acid malt has the same effect as adding lactic acid to the mash. It is generally easier to handle because it can easily be added by weight. The data sheet for Weyermann acid malt states that each additional percent of acid malt in the grist lowers the mash pH by about 0.1 pH unit. This assumes that any residual alkalinity has already been balanced.

 

 

 

Acid Rest

 

An acid rest is a low temperature mash rest during which the malt’s enzymes dismantle phytin to phytic acid [Noonan, 1996]. This reaction is different from the mash acidification that stems from the reaction of the malt’s phosphates with the calcium and magnesium ions. The optimal temperature for the acid rest is 95°F (35°C) and is most effective in under-modified pale malts. It is also the first rest in the classical triple decoction mash. But since modern malts don’t require such intensive mash schedules anymore, the acid rest is rarely used anymore.

 

Increasing Mash pH

 

When brewing dark beers with fairly soft water, the acidity of the dark malts can result in a mash pH that is to low for proper enzymatic activity and eventually proper beer pH. In these cases it is necessary to increase the mash pH.

 

This mash pH increase can be accomplished by the addition of bicarbonate salts like sodium bicarbonate (baking soda, NaHCO3) or calcium carbonate (chalk, CaCO3) or a hydroxide salt (calcium hydroxide). These salts increase the alkalinity of the water which consumes H+ ions and increases the mash pH. Large amounts of sodium are undesirable in brewing water which is why chalk or calcium hydroxide may be preferred over baking soda.

 

Five Star’s 5.2 buffer

 

Five Star Chemical Company (www.fivestarchemicals.com) makes a pH buffer called 5² Stabilizer from food grade phosphate buffers that can be added to the mash and is reported to produce a mash pH of 5.2. It works by providing a buffer that is stronger than the buffering capacity of the mash and thus overrides its pH. Independent testing for the efficacy of 5.2 does not indicate that the product works as advertised and the resulting mash pH may be much higher. The phosphate buffers tend to buffer the mash to a room-temperature pH of about 5.8 which is higher than desired.

 

Its effectiveness is limited when used with very alkaline water because its buffer capacity, when used at the recommended dosage of 2oz / 31 gal, is not sufficient to overcome the water’s alkaline buffer. At this point, more 5² needs to be added, which can result in off flavors due to the increased mineral content (primarily sodium) of the water. Conversely, when brewing with softer waters, less than the recommended dosage of 5² can be used to reduce the mineral additions to the water.

 

When to treat the mash pH

 

The mash pH should be measured shortly after dough-in. If a pH correction needs to be made to the mash, it should be done immediately because mash pH also affects the enzymatic activity. When adding salts or acids to the mash, they should be added in small dosages, and the mash pH needs to be measured after each dosage has been added and well mixed with the rest of the mash. The latter is a very important step that can be difficult if the mash has a thick consistency.

 

All necessary mash treatments should be recorded so that they can be done as water treatments (or in the case of acid malt as additions top the grist) before dough-in when the beer is brewed a second time. In this case no mash pH adjustment should be necessary after dough-in.

 

Using Palmer’s nomograph and a water analysis of the brewing water, potentially necessary water and mash treatments can already be planned before the beer is brewed the first time, which avoids surprises after dough-in. Palmer’s nomograph relating the brewing water’s Residual Alkalinity to the color of the finished beer has been found to be questionable and may indicate higher than desirable mineral concentrations in the brewing water. Caution is recommended if using this nomograph. Methods that relate the brewing water’s Residual Alkalinity to the type and color of the malt and grain used in the grist have proven more accurate in producing a targeted mash pH.

 

Sources

 

[Wikipedia] Wikipedia.org

[Narziss, 2005] Prof. Dr. agr. Ludwig Narziss, Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Werner Back, Technische Universitaet Muenchen (Fakultaet fuer Brauwesen, Weihenstephan), Abriss der Bierbrauerei. WILEY-VCH Verlags GmbH Weinheim Germany, 2005

[Fix, 1999] George J. Fix Ph.D, Principles of Brewing Science, Brewers Publications, Boulder CO, 1999

[Palmer, 2006] John J. Palmer, How to Brew, Brewers Publications, Boulder CO, 2006

[Noonan, 1996] Gregory J. Noonan, New Brewing Lager Beer, Brewers Publications, Boulder CO, 1996