I am a bit lost when it comes to water and brewing. I live in Colorado and the water here is amazing, tap water is better than any bottled water! As such I have been just brewing and not dealing with water reports. I have been operating under the assumption that you can make good beer as long as your water tastes good.
However, I was bored today and found a water report for the town next to me (they use the same lake for their water as we do). I tried comparing it to a couple ranges I have found from palmer's book and some posts around here, but I just don't really know what it means. If I had to venture a guess, I would say I have pretty soft water, but it looks like I am below the minimums on some of the ranges I have found. Does that mean I am limited in the style of beers that I can brew?
I probably won't attempt to change my water's composition for a while regardless of what people say, but I am curious what I can accomplish with my water. What styles can I attempt, and what styles should I stay away from?
Attached is the water report.
However, I was bored today and found a water report for the town next to me (they use the same lake for their water as we do). I tried comparing it to a couple ranges I have found from palmer's book and some posts around here, but I just don't really know what it means. If I had to venture a guess, I would say I have pretty soft water, but it looks like I am below the minimums on some of the ranges I have found. Does that mean I am limited in the style of beers that I can brew?
I probably won't attempt to change my water's composition for a while regardless of what people say, but I am curious what I can accomplish with my water. What styles can I attempt, and what styles should I stay away from?
Attached is the water report.