Should I buy some "5.2 buffer"??

[NE-Brewer]

I live in on a farm and have well water. Very good tasting and no "city" chemicals added. It is pH 7 but we also make our own "distilled" water because of the high "nitrites" from farm fertilizers. The distilled water is also exactly the same pH.. about 7.

I am about to do my first 2 AG batches... a cream ale and an Irish Red. The other beer that I'll make frequently is a Nut Brown Ale. These are the 3 beers that I'll make most of the time.

I will doing "Batch Sparging".

Should I use all well water? Or, all distilled water? Or, a combination of the two?

Also, I have not done a water report so should I order some "5.2 buffer" just ot be safe???? Or should I go ahead and brew these two and test the mash pH and if needed buy some 5.2 buffer later.

Thanks!

 

[ArcaneXor]

Just test the mash pH and then see which way to go.

 

[the_bird]

Don't use the distilled water, unless you want to build your own water by adding stuff back. The yeast needs some of the minerals. The buffer is great if you don't want to worry about pH; it's added 5-10 points of efficiency for me. Just add to the mash, no worried, it does exactly what it promises.

 

[944play]

For only a little more than the cost of a jar of 5.2 you could get a water analysis.

 

[tireater]

How much is that...?

 

[illin8]

it won't hurt, I probably would.

 

[s1080]

Water build gives specific characteristics to beer so I would go ahead and just brew some to see what you think. If it has some off flavors that you dont like get a water analysis to fix some corrections but I wouldn't go crazy. Just my input

 

[Tech211]

For only a little more than the cost of a jar of 5.2 you could get a water analysis.

+1 I wouldn't mess too much with your water until you know more about what you have. I'm sure 5.2 is a great product, but it's good to know what you can brew best without adjustment.