Why is the pH of beer important?

Measuring the pH of beer during the brewing process is an integral step in producing consistent, high-quality results. If you are an at-home DIY brewer, it’s just as important to monitor the pH of your beer as it is for large, commercial companies. Read on to learn why the pH of your beer is important:

Why is pH important for beer?

pH is an important parameter at all stages in the brewing process. The acidity of your beer affects enzyme activity during the mashing stage and influences fermentation, altering the flavour, texture and stability of your final product. While the pH of beer should change throughout the brewing process, this change should be within a specific range to prevent an unwanted or inconsistent result.

Monitoring pH is an ideal way to keep on top of the quality of your beer from start to finish. A pH tester is a simple and easy way to quickly check this parameter, allowing you to make changes as and when required to get the flavourful, palatable beer you want.

When is pH most important for brewing?

pH is important in all stages of brewing, but some of the key stages to monitor include:

• The mashing stage: the pH of mash for beer influences how efficiently starch is converted to sugar. A range from 5.2 - 5.6 pH gives the ideal conditions for the enzymes within the mash to extract sugar, preventing dry, metallic or astringent taste profiles.
• The boiling stage: The pH of wort during boiling affects how clear your beer is, how stable it is, and the final colour of your beer. A pH of between 5.0 - 5.5 produces good results from boiling, with the lower end ideal for most types of beer.
• The fermentation stage: A pH around the lower end of the range of 5.0 - 5.5 helps to maintain a good taste, texture and shelf life. Beer should to a pH of around 4.5 when it is finished.

How should you measure pH when brewing?

The best method for measuring pH in beer is a purpose-designed pH tester. While pH test strips for beer are available, this type of testing relies on your own personal perception of results by comparing your results to a colour chart or wheel. pH testers remove the guesswork part of testing beer, displaying digital results on a screen with a higher degree of precision. Learn how to measure pH in beer with a tester here. 

Hanna’s range of pH testers for beer include:

• Halo2: A Bluetooth-connected digital beer tester that connects to the Hanna Lab App and displays results on an electronic screen in addition to recording data on your smartphone or tablet.
• Halo: A Bluetooth electrode that connects to the Hanna Lab App, displaying results on your smartphone or tablet.
• HI-981031: A simple pH tester for beer with a specifically designed tip for the measurement of semi-solids and liquids.

Shop pH testers for beer today

Our range of brewing pH testers is designed for both at-home brewing and commercial applications, providing professional accuracy in all environments. Browse the full range of Hanna beer pH testers online here today. For advice and guidance on the best tester for your requirements, call 01525 850855 or email us at sales@hannainstruments.co.uk.