What's in the water?

[SmartyJones]

While I wait for my first batch to ferment I figured I'd attempt to read up and learn what I can and prep for batch number 2... On the part of learning I have a question for the group...

Do you use tap water or bottled or distilled or spring water ... Does it mater since you boil it? But what about the water added to the wort in the fermenter?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[wegz15]

I live near chicago and use lake michigan tap water. Water does matter. However I wouldn't worry about water till after you get more experience. MY 2 cents.

I have been brewing 4 years and I'm just getting into water chemist. I feel yeast Is most important to me. I research yeast a lot. I think fermentation is most important. Ie..temp control, health, pitch rate, etc. is most important.

 

[helibrewer]

Read this: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f128/brewing-water-chemistry-primer-198460/

And this: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f128/brewing-water-profiles-tools-131443/

 

[DannyD]

I have wasted a whole 50 kg bag of malt on bad town water and I could not figure why the beer tasted like rubber untill I swiched to RO water, now I am starting to ad some salts and some acid malt, seems even beter!

 

[IFMracin]

But what about the water added to the wort in the fermenter?

I pre-boil my top off water also, store it in a sanitized bucket.

 

[Hang Glider]

Do you use tap water or bottled or distilled or spring water ... Does it mater since you boil it? But what about the water added to the wort in the fermenter?

totally depends on where you live. In the South, we seem to have excessive amounts of chlorine (to me, tap water tastes like a swimming pool) and this will not boil off - you either use campden tablets to remove it, or you use a different water source.

I like the taste that spring water gives me - it's a bit more expensive than the tap, of course, but I'm not going to let $6 get in the way of a decent batch of beer. Not correcting for chlorine will give you a bad 'plastic band-aid' flavor - (personal experience !!!)

 

[gandalfiii]

I have well water which is all I use. I don't really have any idea what my water profile is but the beer tastes good. I feel like my beer is more unique this way too as who my well feeds only 3 houses in the neighborhood. Maybe some day I'll get more in tune with my water.

 

[SMc0724]

Water matters, but! Most water will make good beer. Still, it's a good idea to get water tests from the supplier, or from a lab, and know what's in your water. It's not too early to find out. I went to distilled water because my brews all had the same after taste. Then, I add in the minerals (Burton's Salts, but since I'm a partial mash brewer this is not necessary). I chose distilled water because my water comes from a well with high levels of minerals and carbonate that effect the final taste profile. Good luck.