Water Filter Vs Reverse Osmosis

[djackal]

Another question for the forum to consider,

I've almost committed to buying a water filter for my beer (and to drink) but just wish to pose the question of whether I should consider a reverse osmosis system. I know major breweries like using this system and want to know are there any other benefits to the final beer other than a reduction in water salinity? (compared to a regular filter) Are there other ways to reduce sality without Reverse Osmosis that are more cost effective. I'm on a tight budget and these costs are starting to blow out unfortunately!

Cheers guys

 

[Ross]

RO pretty well strips your water of everything - Most beers benefit from some mineral content, so you'll be adding salts back in. Personally I'd just be using a good quality carbon block filter.

cheers Ross

 

[recharge]

Not to mention how much water they waste.
Carbon filter works a treat.

Rich

 

[barls]

we use ro water at work and like people have said it has no mineral it also doesnt quench the thirst ether

 

[kirem]

I use RO water to brew with. I get it from work at the moment, when I can't anymore I will purchase an RO unit, don't see that coming anytime soon.

I use it as an easy water to manipulate to replicate water profiles of famous beers, for eg pilsen and burton on tent.

When not brewing to style, it is also a great KNOWN starting point for SO4 and carbonate additives to adjust the water to what I want.

K

 

[Ash in Perth]

Dont get RO unelss you plan to add everything you need.

You cant drink it either, it is very unhealthy as it pulls essential minerals out of your cells (=bad)

 

[Lord Raja Goomba I]

Necro thread.

What about for a pilsener?

I usually just use the tap water, as mostly I brew Pale Ales and beer styles that suit the Brisbane water's mineral profile.

But I want to brew a Czech Pils, and was wondering about:

a. Rev. Osmosis water
b. Servo "refill a container" water; and
c. Buying spring water in bulk from coles (or wherever).

Goomba

 

[argon]

I used RO water on my last pilsner then built it up to a soft profile i was after... and despite it being theoretically overbittered it came out with a really very soft malty profile and not too bitter to my tastes. I got the RO water from one of those RO water machines you see in shopping centre carparks. Got mine from the Sunnybank shopping centre, next door to the Macgregor State School. At $5 per 20L i felt it was worth it.