Can local water quality affect brew?

[blackdouglas]

I just turned my tap on to find some nasty urine coloured water coming out of it. Cleared up now, and contacted the water board who assured me this happens from time to time and it's nothing to worry about.

Imagine if that had happened when I was making a brew!

Planning on starting a second one next week. Should I be concerned about the water coming out of my tap?

Going to buy 2L bottles from tesco at 17p a pop, maybe it's better if I use the water in them..

 

[PD]

these things happen now and again it can't be helped. If your tap water is affected for a short time I would suggest for that brew you purchase gallon bottles of still water from the supermarket. At least you get some good free bottles ideal for wow's and turbo ciders. Also good for holding made up sanitiser's and bleach for cleaning....

" Always look on the bright side of life...... ta da.... ta da "

 

[blackdouglas]

wows?

Going to start getting stocked up on bottled tonight, will take a few journeys on the bike. Should I buy the carbonated bottles, is there any difference in their ability to withhold the pressure?

Might go for a stronger brew. I don't know. Thinking of doing this a few times and getting stocked up, so I can take the strain of my wallet in the long run and have some maturing longer.

Also good for holding made up sanitiser's and bleach for cleaning....
[/i]

How many times can you use it? I've had some sitting in my barrel for days, going to drain it later and use the remaining liquid to sterilise the siphoning tube again, no harm in developing mild OCD for this.

 

[PD]

still water bottles are fine for normal use however if making carbonated beers and ciders etc I would go for a plastic fermenting vessel or glass demi jon's but the 1 and 2 litre fizzy coke like drink bottles can be used for brewing ciders. Just remember if the bottle has been used to store fizzy drinks in ( coke pop etc ) then its ok to ferment in still water bottles may not hold the required pressures. but they can be used in certain circumstances and if care is taken.

 

[blackdouglas]

Tesco sell 17p bottles in both carbonated and non carbonated, presumably it is the same bottles they are using?

What if I were to release the pressure on them a little after a couple of days?

So I should go for a less gassy bitter then for this... Might buy a cheap kit in case it doesn't work

 

[alanywiseman.]

My concern is that CO2 is a by product of fermentation and if you pitch your yeast into a wort with lots of CO2 dissolved in it then it will not be happy.

I think your best bet is to buy 5L (stil) water bottles, use the water for your brew then use the bottles for wine/TC as already mentioned. I tend to fill my water bottles with the must, pitch yeast then put the lid back on but NOT SCREWED DOWN Tight. if it is loose then the CO2 can escape and you will be fine.

hope that helps :

 

[Jeltz]

The Tesco 2L sparkling water bottles are fine. I have cider bottled in them and the are holding up fine with pressure.

 

[blackdouglas]

The Tesco 2L sparkling water bottles are fine. I have cider bottled in them and the are holding up fine with pressure.

And the still water bottles, are they the same, do you know?

My concern is that CO2 is a by product of fermentation and if you pitch your yeast into a wort with lots of CO2 dissolved in it then it will not be happy.

I think your best bet is to buy 5L (stil) water bottles, use the water for your brew then use the bottles for wine/TC as already mentioned. I tend to fill my water bottles with the must, pitch yeast then put the lid back on but NOT SCREWED DOWN Tight. if it is loose then the CO2 can escape and you will be fine.

hope that helps :

Don't think I'll be making any wine any time soon. Main reason for going with bottles next (as well as the issue with tap water which will probably be fine anyway) is cost.

Cheers for the advice though, I guessed carbonated water probably not good.

 

[PD]

carbonated water is NOT good for beer making.
You really should bite the bullet and try and build up a stock of proper beer bottles, either glass ones that have been used or the plastic pet 500ml bottles. Try your local pub they might let you have bottles free gratis or park near your local bottle bank for an hour and you will probably get as many as you want in a short period of time.

 

[blackdouglas]

carbonated water is NOT good for beer making.
You really should bite the bullet and try and build up a stock of proper beer bottles, either glass ones that have been used or the plastic pet 500ml bottles. Try your local pub they might let you have bottles free gratis or park near your local bottle bank for an hour and you will probably get as many as you want in a short period of time.

I've got all the bottles, I just can't afford the equipment for capping them yet. It's an expensive business to get started if you're on a giro.

 

[RobWalker]

Fill FV with water - ensure it's clean - add 1/2 crushed campden tablet - leave overnight.

done.

 

[blackdouglas]

Fill FV with water - ensure it's clean - add 1/2 crushed campden tablet - leave overnight.

done.

Um thanks. I didn't know I had to do that.. :wha:

 

[jonewer]

I dont see much point in buying tesco's value bottled water to avoid using tap water.

Where do you think tesco get the water from? Some volcanic spring in paradise island...... Or a tap?

 

[blackdouglas]

I dont see much point in buying tesco's value bottled water to avoid using tap water.

Where do you think tesco get the water from? Some volcanic spring in paradise island...... Or a tap?

Did you read the thread?

My water supply was slightly contaminated today + I'm going to buy 2L bottles for my brew anyway. :whistle:

 

[jonewer]

I dont see much point in buying tesco's value bottled water to avoid using tap water.

Where do you think tesco get the water from? Some volcanic spring in paradise island...... Or a tap?

Did you read the thread?

My water supply was slightly contaminated today + I'm going to buy 2L bottles for my brew anyway. :whistle:

And bottled water is always free of contaminants despite the fact that its

a. Tap water anyway

and

b. Processed in a factory that might induce further contaminants such as phthalates and bromate?

Remember Dasani?

:whistle:

 

[blackdouglas]

Righto. That's a bit more like the answer I was looking for. Thanks.

 

[graysalchemy]

It may originate from tap water but it is demineralised by reverse osmosis and then remineralised. It is benificial to those who have very hard water which is not good for all grain brewing.

 

[blackdouglas]

Water is good round here, usually. Never seen it turn the colour of **** before. Sure by the time I get onto my next brew it will be fine.

 

[jamesb]

This discolouration is usually down to the water main being disturbed and mineral deposits coming off the pipe. Had a lot of it around here lately. Water company says it's ok. I wouldn't brew it with because I don't know the levels of the minerals but it won't do you any harm to drink it.

I had to run 2000l off before I got it clear. Domestic situation should be less.

 

[Jeltz]

The Tesco 2L sparkling water bottles are fine. I have cider bottled in them and the are holding up fine with pressure.

And the still water bottles, are they the same, do you know?

to be honest I've not tried them Mrs J drinks the sparking. They look identical though so if I'd had them I would have used them.