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Water

Sulphate to chloride ratio

3 to 1 for a crisp IPA, 1 to 2 for a velvety stout: a number that changes the mouthfeel.

Greater than 0.

Result

Fill in the values and run the calculation, or try the example.

This is the calculation Krausi uses. Create an account to save it in a recipe or a brew.

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Why look at the sulphate-to-chloride ratio?

Two IPAs identical on paper, same malt, same hops, same IBUs, can taste very different. The reason is often in the water: sulphate sharpens bitterness and makes it dry, chloride brings the malt forward and adds roundness.

The ratio between the two steers the profile of the beer. It helps choose the salts to add for the style: gypsum to raise sulphate, calcium chloride to raise chloride.

How is the ratio calculated?

The ratio is the division of the two concentrations, in mg/L:

ratio = sulphate / chloride

The tool's benchmarks: below 0.5, the water favours malt; from 0.5 to 2, it is balanced; above 2, it favours hops.

Worked example

Values entered

  • Sulphate in mg/L: 150
  • Chloride in mg/L: 50

Result from the tool

SO4 / Cl
3
How to read it
< 0.5: malt; 0.5 to 2: balanced; > 2: hops

What the tool does not do

  • The ratio says nothing about quantities: 20/10 and 200/100 give the same number but not the same beer. Look at the absolute values too.
  • Below 50 ppm for each of the two ions, the effect is weak whatever the ratio.
  • Chloride must be greater than zero for the calculation to make sense.

Frequently asked questions

What sulphate-to-chloride ratio for a NEIPA?

Below 1: NEIPAs are after roundness. A common profile is 100 ppm of sulphate for 150 to 200 ppm of chloride.

Can I go above 300 ppm of sulphate?

Yes for a very dry IPA, up to about 350 ppm. Beyond that, the bitterness turns harsh. Go up in steps from one brew to the next.

And with the assistant?

Ask Krausi the same question in plain language: he picks this tool, does the calculation and files the result in your project.

My water has 150 of sulphate and 50 of chloride, is that good for an IPA?

Yes: the ratio is 3.0, clearly hop-oriented. Your bitterness will be dry and well defined.

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