Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate)
Gypsum, commonly used in beer making as a water treatment, serves multiple purposes:
- Hardness and pH Adjustment: Gypsum increases water hardness and lowers pH.
- Enhancing Hop Flavor: Its use intensifies hop flavor perception in beer.
- Burtonization: Burton water, famous for classic pale ales like Bass, relies on gypsum.
- Winemaking: Gypsum lowers must pH.
- Permanent Hardness: Since calcium sulfate isn’t removed by boiling, it’s considered permanent hardness.
Remember that the specific usage depends on your water profile, and additions can vary based on your water source.
