Brewing Master » Homebrew Beer » Did I used the wrong water?
Did I used the wrong water?
Question:
I’m also a newcomer to brewing (just made my 3rd batch) and am unsure about boiling water. Is it necessary, recommended, totally unneccessary, or optional? Is this an area where opinions differ?
I don’t think we have an area where opinions *don’t* differ. I’ve been scouring all the resources I can find, but I can’t find a straight answer.
And you came to us? Aah….the unsuspecting innocent. Sanitize everything that comes into contact with your wort" and "add fresh cold water" (from the tap?) seem to be conflicting statements. Will someone please help me out so I can stop worrying when I have (& make) my homebrew?
OK; seriously, folks. It really depends on a lot of things. How clean is your tap water? How high of a yeast population do you pitch? Other things like chlorine and flouride in your water also make a good case for boiling. I’m lucky, my tap water is relatively clean and low in additives, but I also have an SAE under-the-sink water filter that uses activated carbon and a silver mesh. I have never had an infection from using it, but back in the beginning (before I perfected the relax, don’t worry part) I bought spring water and chilled it in the fridge. If you go that way, just be sure that on the label it says "filtered and ozonated". I was told that spring water was better than distilled because it still had minerals in the water that were beneficial to the yeast. I never had it analyzed to see how true that was. Good luck with it. I hope this helps.
Response:
BULLSHIT BULLSHIT BULLSHIT! Unless you pasteurize ALL of your brewing watert (165 degrees for 20 min) you are at best making wha I call 80% beer – beer that is 80% as good as it could have been. The day before you brew bring 4 gallons of water to a near boil then pour it into sanitized plastic milk jugs, let it cool overnight. NOW you have the water for the carboy and topping up. UNLESS YOU KILL THE BUGS THEY AREN’T DEAD. Anyone who says otherwise is either stupid or stupid. Always brew your best!
Response:
Exactly, exactly, exactly! I piddled around taking Papazian as the Prophet and not thinking for myself. Finally getting around to doing so, it just made no sense to go around sanitizing everything and then putting tap water in your beer. I’ve had super clean beer that has no haze and does not get the slightest bit funky ever since I started using pre-boiled water. It’s easy and something that you can do before brew day while have a couple. And yes, anyone who says otherwise is ful of bullshit, bullshit, bullshit!
Response:
Exactly, exactly, exactly! I piddled around taking Papazian as the Prophet and not thinking for myself. Finally getting around to doing so, it just made no sense to go around sanitizing everything and then putting tap water in your beer. I’ve had super clean beer that has no haze and does not get the slightest bit funky ever since I started using pre-boiled water. It’s easy and something that you can do before brew day while have a couple. And yes, anyone who says otherwise is ful of bullshit, bullshit, bullshit!
You know, I respected your opinion until that last line. Water quality is not the same in every location across the country. Just because you have had problems with your water and boiling has solved your problem does not mean that it is a universal solution for all brewers. I use a simple under counter type water filter and use the water straight from that for brewing and also get "Super Clean" beer. So instead of claiming everyone who doesn’t follow your regimine is full of bullshit, why not just present a helpful opinion and leave the flame bait comments out of the post.
Response:
OK folks, I posted the following yesterday and I want to apologize. I went overboard. I mean, "anyone who thinks otherwise…" Someone chastised me for it and rightly so. A microbiological filter should also do the trick but I don’t have the capital to do that. Here’s the reason that I went a little ballistic: I want everybody to brew. And the best way for that to happen is for their first or second batches to turn out really good tasting. If they don’t they are going to hang it up and buy at the store. Now most of these folks will buy good beer. BUT, the more people brewing, the better for all of us — lower raw materials prices and better quality too. I just want to see that people get the best information. The NJOHB is indeed a valuable resource, but it’s important that the best info is presented to new brewers. And I think that the NJOHB falls down on the job re having clean foundation water. Not an alibi, just an explanation. The apology still stands (my face is red, and not because of my "Holiday Cheer" tasting). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Exactly, exactly, exactly! I piddled around taking Papazian as the Prophet and not thinking for myself. Finally getting around to doing so, it just made no sense to go around sanitizing everything and then putting tap water in your beer. I’ve had super clean beer that has no haze and does not get the slightest bit funky ever since I started using pre-boiled water. It’s easy and something that you can do before brew day while have a couple. And yes, anyone who says otherwise is ful of bullshit, bullshit, bullshit!
Response:
I started to brew my first batch of beer last week <snip and I used the water who came right of the tap. I realize now that I made a big mistake, my city water have a lot of chlorine and fuorine. Is it possible that this mistake ruin my beer? I hope not!
If you boiled all of the water in your wort, uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes, your fine. If you added unboiled water, it still may be ok depending on your water and your luck. Next time, boil all of the water you use, not only to get rid of the clorine but also to kill any stray nasties in the water.
Response:
I’m also a newcomer to brewing (just made my 3rd batch) and am unsure about boiling water. Is it necessary, recommended, totally unneccessary, or optional? Is this an area where opinions differ? I’ve been scouring all the resources I can find, but I can’t find a straight answer. Sanitize everything that comes into contact with your wort" and "add fresh cold water" (from the tap?) seem to be conflicting statements. Will someone please help me out so I can stop worrying when I have (& make) my homebrew?
You have to understand the purpose behind sanitation, and the difference between sanitation and sterilization. When you sanitize your homebrewing equipment, you are not killing off ALL of the critters that can get into and affect your beer. You are simply killing off MOST of ‘em, which gives your yeasties (aka "The Good Guys") the advantage. In the ensuing competition for food, oxygen, and living space, the yeasties will win out over the Bad Guys. So if you’ve done your sanitizing correctly, adding cold tap water won’t be a problem (unless you have a really unsanitary water supply). Afterburner