Sodium Bicarbonate is a salt used to increase the mineral content of brewing liquor to improve its brewing quality and produce the desired beer characteristics

Principle
The objective of liquor treatment is to convert your water supply into acceptable brewing liquor.

Treating your brewing liquor is vitally important. When applied correctly all the steps throughout the brewing process will be at the optimum pH. If it is applied incorrectly you will get poor extract and beer that is difficult to clarify.

Sodium Bicarbonate alkalinity which is useful for dark beers such as milds, stouts and porters to balance the pH decreasing effect of dark grains without increasing the calcium content.

Application and rates of use

Sodium Bicarbonate is normally added to the grist prior to mashing.

Sodium Bicarbonate should NOT be added to the hot liquor tank (HLT), as some constituents are insoluble. They will remain in the hot liquor tank as opposed to being released into the grist, thus requiring the HLT to be cleaned on a regular basis.

Rates of Sodium Bicarbonate should be determined based on the final brew-length and are dependant on the levels of calcium and alkalinity in your untreated liquor.

Levels of the relevant ions present in your liquor can be obtained from your Local Water Authority.