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Would Calcium & Magnesium Levels Effect Krausen?

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 9:41 pm
by Jimmy
This is the first time I've really adjusted water chemistry (other than adding some gypsum for IPA's). The krausen on this beer is the largest I've ever had. Would it be related to the water adjustments?

Re: Would Calcium & Magnesium Levels Effect Krausen?

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 12:16 am
by BrooklandBrewer
Could be.......but I assumed adjusting water chemistry had mostly to do with enzymatic activity during the mash and the flavor profiles?? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Re: Would Calcium & Magnesium Levels Effect Krausen?

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 10:07 am
by TJ Brew
Yes. Probably.

Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc effect cell metabolism. If your water had an abundance of calcium, it could have been effecting yeast production. Now that you have done some water additions, everyone is "Happy, Happy, Happy".

Re: Would Calcium & Magnesium Levels Effect Krausen?

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 10:36 am
by mr x
FWIW, I always added calcium to my HFX and NG water profiles, as they are fairly soft.

Re: Would Calcium & Magnesium Levels Effect Krausen?

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 1:51 pm
by TJ Brew
I forgot to say, if your calcium content was high compared to the amount of magnesium and/or zinc it could have been effecting your fermentation. With the additions everything should be more balanced. John Palmer's Learn to brew talks about this topic a little bit (Chapter 6), something about if your calcium is too high compared to other minerals, you can end up with stuck fermentations or slow fermentations.

Re: Would Calcium & Magnesium Levels Effect Krausen?

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 2:09 pm
by RubberToe
With some yeasts and fermentation temperatures I get a huge thick krausen that can last over a week. I just did an IPA with US-05 on the cool side (16C or so) that did that and have had it happen before with the same combination in other styles.