Calcium

From Brewing Forward
Calcium periodic table emblem

Calcium (Ca2+) is a mineral naturally present in water and grain. It is one of the most important components of brewing water due to its effects on mashing enzymes, pH control, and clarification.[1][2][3][4] Calcium additions may be necessary if the level in the water is too low. The recommended calcium level in brewing water is 50–150 mg/L.[2][5][6][7][8][9][10] Excessive levels (>250 mg/L) may impair fermentation by removing too much phosphate during brewing or by inhibiting magnesium uptake by the yeast.[11][2][6][5][4][12] In extremely high concentrations, it causes haze in beer.[4] Calcium is essentially flavor-neutral (it has no flavor), although it can reduce the somewhat sour flavor of magnesium.[6][4][2][13] Partly due to the its content of calcium along with other minerals and essential nutrients, beer has a higher nutritional value than other alcoholic beverages.[14]

Calcium is classified as an alkaline-earth metal. It has a +2 charge in ionic form.

Potential sources of calcium[edit]

  • Brewing water - The water used to make beer may contain dissolved calcium. In the US and Canada, the calcium level in municipal tap water typically varies from 1 to 135 mg/L.[15][16][17] Calcium levels in private well water can be higher, as much as 400 mg/L or more.[18] Purified water (RO, distilled, or deionized) does not contain calcium. Loss of calcium can occur prior to mashing if the water is pre-boiled (e.g. as one possible option to deaerate the water).[3]
  • Grain - Malt calcium concentrations typically range from 180 to 1,600 mg/kg, with the high variability likely due to differences in conditions such as soil, fertilizer usage, and the steeping liquor used during malting.[12][13] Approximately 25–50% of malt calcium is extracted into the wort during mashing, adding around 15 to 35 mg/L Ca2+.[12] The amount extracted appears to be related to the solubility of the malt calcium, rather than the total amount present.
  • Salt additives - Brewers can enrich the calcium level of the wort during mashing or boiling by adding brewing salts that contain calcium, such as calcium chloride and calcium sulfate. This is commonplace for optimizing water chemistry.

Be aware that only about half of the calcium ions in the mashing water (from the source water and/or added via salts) will proceed to the final beer. The other half is lost with the spent grains and trub.[6][13]

Effects of calcium[edit]

In the context of brewing beer, calcium has several important effects.

How to adjust the calcium level[edit]

Brewers can increase the calcium level in the brewing water by adding a calcium salt, usually calcium chloride (CaCl2) and/or calcium sulfate (CaSO4). Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) should not be used because it is poorly soluble. Calcium hydroxide (lime) is another potential source of calcium , and is also not recommended. See Water for our guide to adjusting water minerals and mash pH.

The easiest way to decrease calcium in brewing water (if the level is excessive) is to purify it with a reverse osmosis system. Another option is boiling the water, which can lower the calcium level. However, the amount removed by boiling is variable, so this is not recommended.[3]

See also[edit]

  • Water - Expert guide to adjusting water minerals
  • Brewing pH - Discussion of pH throughout the brewing process, including the benefits of pH control by adjusting calcium.
  • Calcium chloride - Brewing salt
  • Calcium sulfate - Brewing salt

References[edit]

  1. ↑ a b c Eumann M, Schaeberle C. Water. In: Bamforth CW, ed. Brewing Materials and Processes: A Practical Approach to Beer Excellence. Academic Press; 2016.
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Palmer J, Kaminski C. Water: A Comprehensive Guide for Brewers. Brewers Publications; 2013.
  3. ↑ a b c Comrie AA. Brewing liquor—a review. J Inst Brew. 1967;73(4):335–346.
  4. ↑ a b c d e f g Howe S. Raw materials. In: Smart C, ed. The Craft Brewing Handbook. Woodhead Publishing; 2019.
  5. ↑ a b c d e Fix, George. Principles of Brewing Science. 2nd ed., Brewers Publications, 1999.
  6. ↑ a b c d e f g h i Briggs DE, Boulton CA, Brookes PA, Stevens R. Brewing Science and Practice. Woodhead Publishing Limited and CRC Press LLC; 2004.
  7. ↑ a b c d Evans E. Mashing. American Society of Brewing Chemists and Master Brewers Association of the Americas; 2021.
  8. ↑ Goode DL, Halbert C, Arendt EK. Optimization of mashing conditions when mashing with unmalted sorghum and commercial enzymes. J Am Soc Brew Chem. 2003;61(2):69–78.
  9. ↑ Bajomo MF, Young TW. Development of a mashing profile for the use of microbial enzymes in brewing with raw sorghum (80%) and malted barley or sorghum malt (20%). J Inst Brew. 1992;98(6):515–523.
  10. ↑ a b Pejin JD, Mojović LV, Pejin DJ, et al. Bioethanol production from triticale by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation with magnesium or calcium ions addition. Fuel. 2015;142:58–64.
  11. ↑ Saltukoglu A, Slaughter JC. The effect of magnesium and calcium on yeast growth. J Inst Brew. 1983;89(2):81–83.
  12. ↑ a b c d e f Gibson BR. 125th anniversary review: improvement of higher gravity brewery fermentation via wort enrichment and supplementation. J Inst Brew. 2011;117(3):268–284.
  13. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Taylor DG. Water. In: Stewart GG, Russell I, Anstruther A, eds. Handbook of Brewing. 3rd ed. CRC Press; 2017.
  14. ↑ Solgajová M, Ivanišová E, Nôžková J, Frančáková H, Tóth Ž, Dráb Š. Antioxidant activity and polyphenol content of malt beverages enriched with bee pollen. J Microbiol Biotech Food Sci. 2014;3(3):281–284.
  15. ↑ Morr S, Cuartas E, Alwattar B, Lane JM. How much calcium is in your drinking water? A survey of calcium concentrations in bottled and tap water and their significance for medical treatment and drug administration. HSS Journal. 2006;2(2):130–135.
  16. ↑ Azoulay A, Garzon P, Eisenberg MJ. Comparison of the mineral content of tap water and bottled waters. J Gen Intern Med. 2001;16(3):168–175.
  17. ↑ Burlingame GA, Dietrich AM, Whelton AJ. Understanding the basics of tap water taste. J Am Water Works Assoc. 2007;99(5):100–111.
  18. ↑ Total hardness, calcium, magnesium & private wells. NC Department of Health and Human Services fact sheet. 2019. Accessed online April 2024.
  19. ↑ a b c d Eumann M, Schildbach S. 125th Anniversary Review: Water sources and treatment in brewing. J Inst Brew. 2012;118(1):12–21.
  20. ↑ Evans DE, Collins H, Eglinton J, Wilhelmson A. Assessing the impact of the level of diastatic power enzymes and their thermostability on the hydrolysis of starch during wort production to predict malt fermentability. J Am Soc Brew Chem. 2005;63(4):185–198.
  21. ↑ Bertoft E, Andtfolk C, Kulp SE. Effect of pH, temperature, and calcium ions on barley malt α‐amylase isoenzymes. J Inst Brew. 1984;90(5):298–302.
  22. ↑ Bush DS, Sticher L, Van Huystee R, Wagner D, Jones RL. The calcium requirement for stability and enzymatic activity of two isoforms of barley aleurone α-amylase. J Biol Chem. 1989;264(32):19392–19398.
  23. ↑ Evans DE, Fox GP. Comparison of diastatic power enzyme release and persistence during modified Institute of Brewing 65°C and Congress programmed mashes. J Am Soc Brew Chem. 2017;75(4):302–311.
  24. ↑ Taylor JR, Daiber KH. Effect of calcium ions in sorghum beer mashing. J Inst Brew. 1988;94(2):68–70.
  25. ↑ Montanari L, Mayer H, Marconi O, Fantozzi P. Chapter 34: Minerals in beer. In: Preedy VR, ed. Beer in Health and Disease Prevention. Academic Press; 2009:359–365.
  26. ↑ Evans DE, Goldsmith M, Dambergs R, Nischwitz R. A comprehensive revaluation of small-scale congress mash protocol parameters for determining extract and fermentability. J Am Soc Brew Chem. 2011;69(1):13–27.
  27. ↑ Walker GM, Birch RM, Chandrasena G, Maynard AI. Magnesium, calcium, and fermentative metabolism in industrial yeasts. J Am Soc Brew Chem. 1996;54(1):13–18.
  28. ↑ White C. Yeast nutrients make fermentations better. White Labs. Accessed 2020.
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