Chlorine and chloramine
Term from the Brauwerkstatt brewing glossary, category “Brewing water and pH”.
Explanation
Disinfectants in tap water. In beer they combine with phenols from malt and yeast to form chlorophenols, which taste of medicine, sticking plaster or swimming pool. Chlorine dissipates if the water stands open overnight or is boiled; chloramine does not – a Campden tablet or an activated carbon filter helps.
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 is a Campden tablet used for in brewing?
- It is yeast nutrient
- It provides sugar for bottling
- It removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water
Show answer
Correct: It removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Chlorine can cause medicinal off-flavours in beer. One tablet treats many litres of water.
Frequently asked questions
My tap water smells of chlorine. What should I do?
Chlorine and chloramine give beer a medicinal taste. A Campden tablet neutralises both within minutes; the dose is on the pack. Free chlorine also escapes if the water stands open overnight, but chloramine does not.