Brupaks DWB Water Treatment (DLS)

Brupaks DWB water treatment powder (previously known as DLS) is a carefully controlled blend of inorganic salts to increase the calcium and sulphate content of brewing liquor. 

 

It is usually added in two stages, the first addition being into the dry grist prior to mixing into the Mash and then the remainder to the wort at the start of the boil period. The amount to be used will vary depending upon the nature of the initial brewing liquor and the style of beer being brewed.

 

 

The Brupaks website provides the following guidance:

The quantity of DLS required can be ascertained from the table below.

DLS in grams per litre

DLS	0.1	0.2	0.3	0.4	0.5	0.6	0.7	0.8	0.9	1.0	1.1
Calcium	16	31	47	63	94	109	125	141	156	172	188

The table shows that in order to increase the calcium content by 125 p.p.m you will need to add 0.7 grams of DLS per litre.

When making a full mash brew, DLS should be added in two stages:

Stage 1. Weigh sufficient DLS to treat your mashing liquor (e.g. 10 litres x 0.7 = 7 grams). Mix DLS into the dry grains. This is most important as adding it to raw liquor will not affect the mash pH.

Stage 2. Weigh sufficient DLS to treat the balance of the total brewing liquor (e.g. 20 litres x 0.7 = 14 grams). Add to the wort at the commencement of the boil.

Extract brewers should add the total amount of DLS to the wort at the commencement of the boil.

From the above information you should be able to treat almost any water to brew first class Bitters and Pale Ales. Other styles of beer, however, require different levels of carbonate and calcium. These are the recommended alkalinity and calcium levels for the most common beer styles.

Bitter and Pale Ale. Alkalinity as CaC03 - up to 50 p.p.m. Calcium - 180 to 220 p.p.m.
Mild Ale. Alkalinity as CaC03 - 100 to 150 p.p.m. Calcium - 90 to 110 p.p.m.
Porter and Stout. Alkalinity as CaC03 - 100 to 150 p.p.m. Calcium - 100 to 120 p.p.m.
Pale Lager. Alkalinity as CaC03 - up to 30 p.p.m. Calcium - 100 to 120 p.p.m.

Your local water board will be able to provide you with a full water analysis to enable you to decide whether on not you need to perform water treatment.