What water do you use?

chemman14 · 09-09-2009, 01:01 AM

I recently moved to southern California and the water here tastes terrible. Before I was using softened(i know) filtered ground water. I plan on buying water from Costco and noticed that they sell arrowhead 2.5gallon water jugs for $5 which isn't bad. Will this water work for extracts? I have read conflicting reports that bottled water is no good for brewing

**Yooper** · 09-09-2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chemman14

I recently moved to southern California and the water here tastes terrible. Before I was using softened(i know) filtered ground water. I plan on buying water from Costco and noticed that they sell arrowhead 2.5gallon water jugs for $5 which isn't bad. Will this water work for extracts? I have read conflicting reports that bottled water is no good for brewing

I don't know what "arrowhead" is, but if it's bottled spring water, it's fine for brewing. Extracts already have the minerals in it, so you could even use distilled or Reverse osmosis water if it's easier and cheaper.

shortyjacobs · 09-09-2009, 01:22 AM

Yeesh, 2.5 gallons for 5 bucks? Target, etc. has spring water for 99 cents/gal and distilled for 1.19/gal. 2 bucks/gal seems excessive?

insnekamkze86 · 09-09-2009, 01:27 AM

When i brew my extract beer i didnt have money or was in a rush and used just tap water inconjuntion with some boiled water. i live in PA so i figured i be okay.
So far so good. But i usually use distilled water for my brews

**Yooper** · 09-09-2009, 01:57 AM

Generally speaking, if your water tastes good, it's fine for extract brewing.

So, if the water tastes foul, buy some bottled water. If it tastes great, use it. If it tastes good, but with chlorine, either boil it to get rid of the chlorine, or buy bottled water. Chloramines, which replace chlorine in many areas, don't boil off so you have to either treat the water with potassium metabisulfite, or buy bottled water.

chemman14 · 09-09-2009, 02:11 AM

it was 2 2.5gallon jugs for $4.58 or something
the tap water tastes pretty bad here so this is why I was going to buy my water instead of trying to filter/treat it

insnekamkze86 · 09-09-2009, 02:13 AM

i would rather buy my water to but i was in a pinch so i didnt bottled or filtered water is alot better because it has not chlorine in it.

Ksosh · 09-09-2009, 02:24 AM

Yow, Wally worlds around here have jug-filling stations for $.39/gallon if you bring your own water jug. Reverse osmosis distilled whatever-whatever stuff from Culligan.

APendejo · 09-09-2009, 05:51 PM

I use the local water here in SoCal. After a Campden treatment it tastes pretty good. Makes good beer, thats all I care about.
AP

Adam78K · 09-09-2009, 09:15 PM

go with the .99cent spring water from walmart or target.