Water Condition?

[sefrayser]

I have 2 batches cementing now and Im planning my third. I have a RO/DI water filter I use for my salt water fish tanks. The filter basically takes everything out of the water. My question is, should I or could I use this for brewing? The water I am currently using is well water that runs through a whole house softener. Just looking for some pointers on how to make my beer better. I am also looking maybe to do something fruity,what suggestions? I friend of mine has bee's and I can get some fresh honey that may be cool to use.

 

[webby45wr]

You can use RO water or straight well water. I use well water that goes through a softener as well and my beer turns out fine. The minerals in your well water will give it a flavor that's unique to you. I think the bigger issues are for people on town water with chlorine.

Fruit can be added in a number of ways. You can buy and use extracts, make your own extract (using vodka), or throw the fruit in. I make a blueberry beer that I had the berries during secondary for about 2 weeks, then pull them out and squeeze the crap out of the bag to get all the juice.

Honey is good, but you lose a lot of its flavor. It's highly fermentable, so you get an alcohol boost, but it also means much of the flavor ferments out.

Do you have a way to control fermentation temps? That's a great way to really dial in your beer - make sure it's at the temps you want.

Good luck!

 

[sefrayser]

I have it in my closet where it's constant between 68-70. That's right on target for what I'm making. Don't really understand cooler or warmer temps and the effect on the brew