Water water everywhere...

[link64]

Heya!

I'm fairly new here but wondered what peoples opinion on using tap water for your wort was, is it a no-no? Does anyone use bottled water or filter their water first?

I only ask as I've started an Evil Dog IPA kit and followed the instructions using cold tap water, but now that I think about it I could have introduced nasties into the brew by doing so.

I'm 10 days into the primary fermentation and it all seems fine, but did I run a risk?

:-?

 

[Chrissparky]

I use tap water and haven't had any problems. But probably varies from area to area. I'm in Manchester

 

[link64]

I use tap water and haven't had any problems. But probably varies from area to area. I'm in Manchester

Good to know, I'm near Birmingham and the water tends to be a little heavily chlorinated around this time of year (i'm sure they do some sort of chemical flush) to the point you can smell it, I'm hoping it wont have a negative impact on the end flavour.

Thanks for the reply!:thumb:

 

[Pawlo7671]

If in doubt chuck a campden tablet in your brew water to get rid of the nasty's

http://www.wilko.com/homebrew-accessories+equipment/wilko-campden-tablets-100pk/invt/0168394

 

[link64]

If in doubt chuck a campden tablet in your brew water to get rid of the nasty's

http://www.wilko.com/homebrew-accessories+equipment/wilko-campden-tablets-100pk/invt/0168394

I wasnt aware you could do that at this stage I have a pack of them from when I made some wine! Thanks!

 

[Pawlo7671]

I wasnt aware you could do that at this stage I have a pack of them from when I made some wine! Thanks!

Yep, just crush 1 tablet and add it to your water BEFORE you brew, for Christ sake don't add it to your fermenting beer

 

[Leon103]

Nothing wrong with tap water, its what the pro's use.

 

[mabrungard]

At a minimum, removing the disinfectants from your tap water is important for avoiding the creation of mediciny tasting chlorophenols in your beer. The other thing you should also monitor and adjust is your water's alkalinity. If your tap water's alkalinity is high, it will drive up the pH of your wort and you'll end up with a duller flavor and perception of your beer.

 

[Slid]

At a minimum, removing the disinfectants from your tap water is important for avoiding the creation of mediciny tasting chlorophenols in your beer. The other thing you should also monitor and adjust is your water's alkalinity. If your tap water's alkalinity is high, it will drive up the pH of your wort and you'll end up with a duller flavor and perception of your beer.

Adding the campden tablet is a good way of removing chlorine, which is the source of the chlorophenols. These are noticeable in tiny quantities and rather ruin a beer as they have a nasty aftertaste.

 

[link64]

Thanks guys, some really helpful info here!