West Coast Brewer Home Brewing Blog

Tag: lower

Calcium Chloride or CaCl2

Calcium chloride or CaCl2 is used as water additive to reduce the pH of a mash. One gram per gallon typically adds 72 ppm of calcium and 127 ppm of chloride, but you will want to verify those numbers with your vendor.

 

Calcium Chloride

Calcium Chloride

Amylase

Amylase is an enzyme group that is responsible for hydrolizing\converting starches into sugars. The two primary amylase enzymes are alpha amylase and beta amylase, which digest and break down the polysaccharides into smaller disaccharides and then monosaccharides. To help facilitate the breakdown of unfermentable sugars, amylase may be added to fermentation at the same time you pitch your yeast. This will create a lower final gravity and a dryer finish.