EnglishViews: 19 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-06-03 Origin: Site
Beer is made up of four simple ingredients: hops, malt, yeast, and water. Each ingredient affects the flavor of the beer.
Among them, some people think that water is just water and will not affect the flavor of beer. But in fact, this is not the case. The water content in beer accounts for 90-95%, and it also has a great impact on the flavor of beer. The quality of brewing water affects the enzyme activity in the wort, the solubility of minerals, the taste, and the quality of the beer. The quality of water will also affect the condition of the brewing equipment. In the past, craft beer from different origins had different styles.
Many people drink tap water, and it is the most readily available source of water for brewing. It should be fine to brew with tap water. However, it may contain a lot of chemicals. If your tap water has a lot of chlorine, then I would not recommend using it for brewing. Because the disinfectant will affect your brewing process, which in turn affects the quality of the beer. If you have other filtered water or spring water, I would not recommend using tap water.
It is not recommended to use distilled water when brewing beer. Distilled water is boiled and then concentrated into a liquid, which will leach out some of the minerals that are beneficial to brewing. If you are brewing whole grain, please do not use distilled water, you can choose to use filtered water.
A reverse osmosis device will only destroy the solids and sediments in the water through a filter and a semi-permeable membrane. It is highly recommended to use RO water when brewing beer because it is directly connected. RO water can retain the minerals needed in the brewing process, so RO water is very useful.
Filtered water is any water that has passed through a single filter and connected to a synchronized faucet. This type of water is ideal for brewing beer because it filters tap water, saving you from having to go out and buy spring water.
While using rainwater to brew beer is very environmentally friendly, it is not the best water source for brewing beer. Rainwater may contain certain chemicals and absorb pollutants from the air. Therefore, I do not recommend using rainwater.
To summarize the best water for brewing beer. We recommend using filtered water and reverse osmosis water. Of course, you can also use tap water and distilled water.
There are many chemical reactions involved in the beer brewing process. It is not just a question of whether hard water or soft water should be used. This article will explain the chemical composition of brewing water and how they affect brewing substances.
Calcium: One of the main minerals that affects water hardness. Calcium can reduce the pH of wort during mashing. It can also improve the clarity and stability of the final beer. Generally speaking, a calcium content range of 50 mg/L to 150 mg/L is ideal.
Magnesium: Another major mineral that affects water hardness. It does not affect pH like calcium does. Both calcium and magnesium are important yeast nutrients. During beer brewing, 10 to 30 mg/L of magnesium is needed to help yeast grow, but too much can cause bitterness.
Carbonates and bicarbonates (CO3 and HCO3): Affect the alkalinity of brewing water and the acidity of wort. When the levels are too low, the wort will be too acidic; when the levels are too high, the fermentation efficiency of the wort will be reduced. The required carbonate level depends on the type of beer being brewed. Pale ales should have levels of 25 to 50 mg/L, while dark malts with higher acidity should have levels of 100 to 300 mg/L.
Sodium: Small amounts of sodium have little effect on the flavor of beer and can maintain the health and taste of beer. However, too much sodium can give the beer a metallic taste. Therefore, deionized water should not be used to brew beer. Sodium levels in the range of 10-70 mg/L are acceptable.
Chloride: Like sodium, it affects the taste and complexity of beer, making the beer taste fuller or sweeter. However, chlorine is not a chemical used in brewing water. Chlorine is usually used to treat city water supplies or disinfect brewing equipment. In addition, chlorine can have a negative impact on the flavor of the finished beer.
Sulfate: It helps bring out the flavor of hops and also lowers the pH of the water. It has the opposite effect of chlorides.
To find out about the water quality in your area, contact your local water department and request a water quality report. They should be able to provide the total hardness and total alkalinity of the public water supply in your area.
