A dry, highly carbonated Belgian farmhouse ale with peppery, fruity yeast character and a refreshing finish.
The target has a sulfate-to-chloride ratio of 2:1 (balanced) - the balance that shapes how hoppy or malty the beer tastes.
| Ion | Target (ppm) |
|---|---|
| Calcium (Ca²⁺) | 70 |
| Magnesium (Mg²⁺) | 5 |
| Sodium (Na⁺) | 10 |
| Chloride (Cl⁻) | 60 |
| Sulfate (SO₄²⁻) | 120 |
| Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) | 10 |
Water target is a strong practical fit for the style family. Use as an RO starting point, then verify mash pH from the actual grist.
Salts to add to reverse-osmosis or distilled water to reach this target, calculated by the BrewWaterSolver solver with the most common homebrew salts (calcium chloride, gypsum, Epsom salt, chalk and baking soda).
| Salt | 5 gal (18.9 L) | 20 L |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) | 2.23 g | 2.35 g |
| Gypsum (CaSO₄) | 3.26 g | 3.44 g |
| Epsom salt (MgSO₄) | 0.80 g | 0.85 g |
| Baking soda (NaHCO₃) | 0.19 g | 0.20 g |
Resulting water: Ca 75.2, Mg 5.2, Na 5.7, Cl 59.8, SO4 113.7, HCO3 10.2 ppm. Split the salts between mash and sparge water in the solver if you prefer.
With RO water and the salts above, a typical Saison grist is predicted to mash at pH 5.54, against a target of 5.30 (pale color - lower pH enhances crispness). To bring it down, add about 4.5 mL of 88% lactic acid for 5 gal (4.7 mL for 20 L).
Estimated from the style's typical color (SRM 5) without a real grain bill - enter your recipe in the solver for a sharper prediction, and always check with a pH meter.
Classic French & Belgian-Style Saison, Specialty Saison - these BA styles use the same water target.