Water Testing

[Cloud Surfer]

I have a water report for my local water source. But I'm aware there are seasonal variations around the median values that I use for brewing. It got me to thinking, does anyone test their actual brew water with something like I have linked. It would result in precise water corrections for every batch of beer. I'm wondering how accurate kits like these are, if anyone has experience using them.

https://lamotte.com/products/food-beverage-laundry/brewlab/brewlab-basic-7189-02#product.info.prop65

 

[kevin58]

I've only ever used the brewers water test kit from Ward Labs.

 

[jdauria]

I too have only used Ward Labs for water tests.

 

[day_trippr]

A benefit of brewing with RO is avoiding seasonal variations in my well (plus the whole RA thing )

Cheers!

 

[MaxStout]

My city's water comes from up to 19 wells located around town. Which ones they use at any time depends on demand. It's a pig in a poke. And that RA thing, plus the chloramines they add. Not to mention the iron we have. The city water tastes great, which calls into question that old saw, "if it tastes good it's good for brewing."

RO is the way to go. No more guesswork.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

does anyone test their actual brew water with something like

A number of years ago, when I was more curious about source water, I came across some discussion (from 2015) over at "The HomeBrew Forum (UK)" site.

If I were to pursue this idea further, I'd also revisit a couple of the recent (2020s) BeerSmith podcasts where Colin Kaminsk was a guest. Kaminsk co-authored the book "Water" & Palmer was the co-author - so maybe some of Palmers recent content (2020s) has some insights as well (note that How to Brew, 4e was published in 2017).