• Brewco Lactic Acid Powder 50g – main product photo
  • Brewco Lactic Acid Powder 50g key facts: contains 50g lactic acid powder, about ¼ tsp lowers mash pH by 0.1, target mash pH 5.2-5.5
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Brewco Lactic Acid Powder 50g

Brewco Lactic Acid Powder 50g

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Brewco Lactic Acid Powder is a mild acid for lowering the pH of your mash or brewing water. Lactic acid is a natural by-product of fermentation, present in trace amounts in every beer, wine and cider, and is regarded as the safest acid for treating brewing water.

What it does

  • Increases acidity and lowers mash pH
  • Helps pale, all-grain beers hit the right mash pH when your water is alkaline
  • Can add a gentle sour tang when used in finished beer, cider or wine
  • Powder form - easy to measure and store

Specs

  • Contents: lactic acid powder, 50g
  • Guide rate: about ¼ teaspoon in a standard mash lowers pH by around 0.1

How to use

Add a little at a time to the mash and re-check pH - see the How to Use box.

Who it's for

All-grain brewers in hard-water areas, and anyone fine-tuning mash chemistry. Measure as you go with Beer pH Test Strips or a pH2Go digital pH meter. If you'd rather adjust pH with grain, Weyermann Acidulated Malt does a similar job.

Lactic Acid Powder
How to Use
Dose
¼ tsp per mash
about -0.1 pH (23L)
Target
Mash pH 5.2-5.5
sparge below pH 6
When
At mash-in

Used for: Lowering mash and sparge pH in all-grain brewing - especially pale beers or hard, high-alkalinity water.

When: Into the mash or strike water at mash-in, or into the sparge water before sparging.

Step by step
1Mash in and check the pH after 10-15 minutes (on a cooled sample).
2If it's above about 5.5, dissolve ¼ teaspoon in a little water and stir into the mash.
3Wait 5-10 minutes, re-check and repeat if needed.
4Acidify sparge water to below about pH 6 to avoid pulling harsh tannins from the grain.
Good to know: Large amounts can taste sour - add in small steps and measure. Use a pH meter or strips rather than guessing. Avoid eyes and skin.
You may also need: All treatments & water salts
Frequently Asked Questions
How much lactic acid powder for a 23 litre brew?

Start with ¼ teaspoon in the mash - that lowers pH by about 0.1. Check and repeat until you reach about 5.2-5.5.

Will it make my beer sour?

Not at normal water-treatment amounts. Large additions can be tasted.

Do I need it for kit or extract brewing?

Usually not - it's mainly for all-grain mash and sparge pH.

Can I use it in the sparge water?

Yes - acidifying sparge water to below about pH 6 helps avoid harsh tannins.