Distilling Water

K9 · Post by K9 » Friday Dec 30, 2005 9:53 am

Given Dogger Dan's hatred of chlorinated water, the thought came to me as to the wisdom of distilling water. I have read a couple of articles on the matter and some claim that even the best charcoal water filters don't get all the nitty gritty out of the water. Has anyone tried brewing with distilled water before and if so, what has been the effect on the flavour of the brew?

I know that the literature on some of the distilling sites indicates that distilled water has a sweeter taste... but the cynic in me says that they have to say something nice about their machines otherwise they wouldn't sell. I would be happy to read other thoughts on the matter.

Stangas · Post by **Stangas** » Friday Dec 30, 2005 1:51 pm

I have tried it, cant say i noticed much difference. But then i have only started and my beer still has that HB taste to it. Crystal clear, and lots of bubbles.. but still tastes like home brew.. that fruity taste.. still experimenting with procedures at the mo

i have access to bulk demineralised water.. i wonder what that would do to beer?

Dogger Dan · Post by **Dogger Dan** » Saturday Dec 31, 2005 11:18 am

Be c areful with distilled water, it is missing a lot of the ions we know to make beer good. If you are using distilled water you should try and add the salts back into it, most HBS will carry gypsum and epsum salt.

Thats why I use a brita, it takes out on the chlorine but leaves me my ions.

Dogger

recharge · Post by **recharge** » Saturday Dec 31, 2005 5:10 pm

Not to mention distilling your own water takes a lot of energy for the volumes required for brewing beer. I just use a 1 micron filter then boil. My water taste like crap cant drink it without the filter.

tyrone · Post by **tyrone** » Sunday Jan 01, 2006 12:04 pm

So the go is to just run tap water thru a brita or the equilivent and then brew as per normal

yardglass · Post by **yardglass** » Sunday Jan 01, 2006 1:16 pm

tyrone,

have a look at the bucket filter in this thread.

p!$$ easy, cheap, filtered water.

http://www.homebrewandbeer.com/forum/vi ... .php?t=435

my beers have had a 'fresher' taste since filtering.

cheers
yardglass

recharge · Post by **recharge** » Sunday Jan 01, 2006 3:27 pm

Mmmm too easy why didnt i think of that one. Ive been carrying filtered water from my house to brew room in 25 litre containers. Was thinking of buying an inline system, but not any more.
Cheers for that thread

yardglass · Post by **yardglass** » Sunday Jan 01, 2006 5:49 pm

one thing though, go a little undersize with the hole saw, makes for a snug fit.

yard