Water???

[Jim Gamble]

Being new to brewing and not knowing much. I have a question about water. With my first and second batch I used bottled spring water, deer park, but, I've seen a lot of post and videos on people adding different things to their water to change the chemical composition of their. Is this because they're using straight tap water, or is it something else? If the water I'm using doesn't change the taste of my batches I'll keep using it but, if there's something I can add to improve it please, let me know.
Thx

 

[mabrungard]

The good thing about bottled water is that it doesn't have chlorine in it. But otherwise, you probably don't get a lot of guidance on what's in it. Depending on the style of beer you're brewing, that water may be perfect or terrible. Knowing what's in the water and then making a few adjustments can make a big difference.

If RO water is available in your area, that might be a better option since that water should have almost nothing in it and you can more accurately plan any treatment measures.

 

[LLBeanJ]

Water chemistry is pretty important for all grain brewing, not so much for extract brewing. Since you posted this in the beginners forum, I am assuming you're not brewing all grain. For extract brewing, you just want clean tasting water that is devoid of chlorine/chloramines and you should be good to go, so your choice of spring water should be fine.

 

[mredge73]

They are using distilled or RO water.
These have little minerals so you build your own mineral profile. This is important for all grain brewing.

As a beginner using extract, the extract already has the mineral profile built in.
You can use whatever water you like, as long as you filter out the chlorine.

 

[Renegade Brewer]

As a new brewer water should be the last thing you are concerned with. Using drinking water is a perfect way to go. You are avoiding chlorine/chloramines, and the malt extract will have all the nutrients and minerals needed for a good healthy ferment.

Even when going all grain, I suggest my customers master all other aspects of brewing before delving down the rabbit hole which is water chemistry. If water is something you really want to focus on, John Palmer has a YouTube lecture that’s about 90 minutes long which is very good. Also the Water book is a great resource