Calcium chloride
Term from the Brauwerkstatt brewing glossary, category “Brewing water and pH”.
Explanation
Brewing salt that adds calcium and chloride. Chloride makes the beer fuller and rounder.
Work it out yourself
Brewing water calculator – Adjust your tap water to the beer style: the calculator tells you how much calcium chloride, gypsum and lactic acid you need.
Test your knowledge
What does calcium chloride emphasise in beer?
- Acidity
- Bitterness
- Maltiness and body
Show answer
Correct: Maltiness and body. A high chloride level makes the beer rounder and softer, ideal for hazy IPA or stout, for example.
Frequently asked questions
Do gypsum and calcium chloride raise alkalinity?
No. The salts add calcium, sulphate and chloride, but no bicarbonate. Alkalinity stays the same; general hardness rises. In the mash, the calcium does lower residual alkalinity.