How important are Gypsum Salts (or Brewing Salts) in the brewing process?
The common term “salts” refer to the minerals in the water. For allgrain brewing it’s extremely important to know how much of each mineral is already in your water, and to adjust accordingly for various styles of beer (some need more, some less). This information can be obtained very easily from your local waterworks company, or by having your water tested if you are on your own well. For extract brewing, you generally don’t ever have to worry about it. If you want, add a tablespoon of Gypsum to Pale Ales and other UK beers, and just leave it out of everything else. Or just don’t use it at all and don’t worry about it. As for anything labeled “Brewing Salts” or something similar, I personally would never use them unless they are specifically labeled as to their exact composition. Adding these are essentially adding unknown compounds in unknown amounts to your beer.
