Liquor treatment gives amazing yeast behaviour!

[guypettigrew]

Following some gentle encouragement from Fisherman on this site (thanks, buddy!), I treated my brewing liquor for the first time ever for my latest beer.

The effects have been quite astounding! The liquor was first treated with a camden tablet, then reduced to 40ppm CaCO3 using Brupak CRS, and Brupak "Burton water crystals" were mixed in with the dry grain.

The yeast head was the cleanest I've ever seen it, and really strong. It formed a proper rocky head, at least 10cm above the surface of the wort. The best fermentation I've seen for ages.

Having barrelled it after 9 days in the FV, it's dropped crystal clear after 3 days with no finings. It still hasn't conditioned fully, but it's getting there.

The yeast is a harvested, rinsed, White Labs 007. A very flocculant yeast, so it will be interesting to see what happens if I use a different type.

Guy

[OldSpeckledBadger]

I always treat with CRS before dechlorinating. IRC that's what GW advises.

[nobby]

Dont forget that CRS is only for Hard Water if like me your lucky to have Soft water you dont need it.

[guypettigrew]

Yup nobby, also bought a Salifert test kit on fisherman's recommendation so I could find out exactly what I was dealing with, and how much CRS and dry salts would be needed.

Guy

[haZe]

I always treat with CRS before dechlorinating. IRC that's what GW advises.

Interesting, i've always done it the other way round, Campden first.

Can you recall any reason for this?

[Blackaddler]

Interesting, i've always done it the other way round, Campden first.

Same here...

[guypettigrew]

My camden tablet went in first. Someone on here recommended it so I just followed the recommendadtion.

Guy

[jimp2003]

+1 for putting the campden tab in first. I too would be interested in knowing the reasons for doing it the other way round.

[OldSpeckledBadger]

Sodium Metabisulphite reacts with acids so if you dechlorinate first some of your CRS will end up reacting with the left over Sodium Met in solution instead of the Carbonate and you'll end up with a slightly higher alkalinity than you expected.

[Blackaddler]

That sounds quite logical to me. I think I'll be changing my process...

[haZe]

I'm brewing in the morning, will give it a go...ta!

[fisherman]

Thanks lads ,
I shall also use CRS first next time, Could beer get any better. Great site great information from you all, Merry Christmas to everyone.