What’s the perfect pH for mash when brewing?

an image of a glass of beer on an outdoor table
Published: 11 February 2025
Brewery

Monitoring the pH of beer during the mashing stage is essential for producing a stable end product with a consistent look and taste. If you brew beer at home, measuring your pH in mash with a suitable pH tester is a vital part of the brewing process. Read on to learn the perfect pH for mash and how to measure this parameter effectively:

Why is pH important for mash when brewing?

Measuring pH is important at all steps in the brewing process, including the mash stage. The acidity of your mash has an impact on the effectiveness of the enzyme activity, the vital process that allows your mash to become beer. Keeping pH within a specific range, and using the correct materials to adjust pH as needed, helps to achieve a consistent beer that has the taste and texture you want.

What is the ideal pH for mash?

The ideal pH for mash is generally considered to be between 5.2-5.6. Mashing within this range tends to give the best results, producing a beer that is stable and does not have any unexpected tastes or textures. 

It’s important to note that the mash pH range of beer is based on a cooled sample. A sample of wort can be removed around 10-15 minutes after the process starts and cooled to room temperature. From there, you can measure with a beer pH tester to make sure you’re in the correct range - or make adjustments if you aren't. 

How do you measure mash pH?

The ideal method to measure mash pH is with a suitable pH tester for beer. These specifically designed pH testers include specialised electrodes that are designed for the mashing and fermentation stage, preventing inaccurate results and clogging.

Hanna’s range of pH testers for beer mashing include:

  • Halo2: A digital pH tester with Bluetooth connectivity that displays results on the screen and connects to Hanna Lab app
  • Halo: An electronic Bluetooth electrode that displays testing results via the Hanna Lab iOS and Android app
  • HI-981031: A pH tester for beer with a purpose-designed tip to measure liquid and semi-solid substances

Every beer pH tester in our range is designed for use at every stage in the beermaking process. For advice on the best pH tester for your home brewing, contact our team directly at sales@hannainstruments.co.uk or on 01525 850855.

Buy beer pH testers online today

Purchase mash testers from Hanna’s range online today, with free next-day delivery on all of our pH testing instruments above £50. If you have questions or need support in choosing the best pH tester for beer, call us on 01525 850855 or email our experts at sales@hannainstruments.co.uk.

 

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Relevant Articles:

Discover the Halo2 range from Hanna
How to measure beer pH with a Halo2 tester
Why is the pH of beer important?
How to adjust your pH when brewing

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