I need Help in spending some Money$$

[RickBeer]

Nice list of stuff!

I keep watching threads like these, so when I'm ready to make the jump to all grain and kegging I have great info to review. One thing I have learned is that many people invest a lot of money in equipment before they ensure basic things - like getting a full water analysis done. Having complete water chemistry is essential to making great beer. For example, I have well water, with a filter, and a water softener. Works great for my extract brewing, but I know if I go to all grain that the water softener can't be in the loop (although ours is set very low, so I may do more research on that). Given how they hooked things up, that means that I will need to run a separate water line from before the water filter / softener loop (they ran the sprinkler line that way), add a filter in-line, and have the water come out where I want. Unfortunately even the outside water taps are on the filter / softener circuit, so I can't just tap off of those (which would be easy). I can pull a water sample in the spring from the sprinkler line for testing, so I don't have to do the plumbing work to be able to see how my water is - although I do have to see if I'd want to filter it first.

Then of course the whole debate over whether to go electric and do brewing inside (assuming an available circuit), or go outside and either tap into my natural gas line or go propane.

[Kealia]

Having complete water chemistry is essential to making great beer.

This, I would challenge. Recently we had a thread about dispelling common beliefs and this (rightfully so, IMO) came up there, too.
Personally, I think water adjustments can make beer better, but I don't believe (on the homebrewer scale, at least) that it is essential/critical/absolutely needed.

I think most of us here are pretty humble, so I don't mind saying that I made GREAT beer long before I ever started tweaking my water. Is it better now that I do - probably, but it wasn't NECESSARY for me to make great beer.

I think we need to be careful about statements like this because we can turn off newer brewers or those thinking of moving from extract to grain by over-complicating or stating that certain things MUST be done.

I think this is another lever we have to play with, but personally wouldn't categorize it as essential.

Just my $0.02.

[RickBeer]

I'll respectfully disagree, but only with part of the statement. I said having complete water chemistry, not making adjustments.

It's essential to know if your water meets minimum requirements if you're going to do all grain brewing. If you blindly go into all grain brewing without knowing certain things, you can have very poor results. For example, you need to not have water that has been softened. And, your water PH needs to be in an acceptable range. My water has a lot of iron. Much of it is filtered out. Iron is very bad for beer also.

I recently spoke to a long time brewer, someone that brews at micro breweries and such. Over 20 years brewing. He used to check the basics, but didn't get into water chemistry until a few years back. He brewed a certain beer for a long time. Then, he played with the water chemistry to get it to where it should be for that style beer, and was startled with how drastically different it tasted, and how true to the style it was.

So you at least need to know that your water meets base requirements for all grain brewing before starting, and then quitting, with lousy results.

Test is $59.95. https://www.karlabs.com/brewing-water.htm

[Inkleg]

Or for $42 you could go here, Ward Labs and spend the savings on beer stuff.

[RayF]

I went with equipment and process first. Now that I have the equipment, processes that I want to brew with, Out of the way. I'm focusing on water, ingredients, fine tuning and Dialing everything in. I have already made good beer with plain ole tap water but I'd like to make a few styles that a good water profile would be a good benefit for. Plus I always keep digging and I can never leave well enough alone.

[RickBeer]

Could be. You'd want to compare what's tested by each.

One gives you 96 tests, the other 16 tests, although I would be the first to say I have not reviewed what I want tested to see whether either fits my needs.

[BlackDuck]

I did the same thing Ray. My water chemistry and treatments came well after I had been brewing really good all grain beers.

[RayF]

Or for $42 you could go here, Ward Labs and spend the savings on beer stuff.

Waiting for my results as I type this?

[Inkleg]

Waiting for my results as I type this?

Cool. Turns out my water is really good for brewing, hope yours is too. I've shared my report with a lot of brewers in the area as we all get it from the same reservoir. My LHBS has a copy on the wall at the store too.

[Beer-lord]

My water makes great stouts and dark beers but needed more to make my IPA's and Pales taste better. I got a water report 2 years ago and adjusted the water until I decided to get an RO filter. It did take my beer to the next level but they were still very much enjoyed by all I made drink them. but I enjoy the tinkering and tweaking. But I plan my brewdays ahead and they are MY DAYS so I don't mind if it takes me 4 or 6 hours to brew and clean up. It's what I like to do. Adding time by collecting water, treating it etc. only enhances my enjoyment of the day.

[RayF]

Waiting for my results as I type this?

Cool. Turns out my water is really good for brewing, hope yours is too. I've shared my report with a lot of brewers in the area as we all get it from the same reservoir. My LHBS has a copy on the wall at the store too.

Sharing with others who brew in my area is a great idea. Unfortunately, I do not know very many people in my area brewing personally but I am hearing of different people here and there that I'd like to get to know. Maybe a peace offering, glass breaker?

[RayF]

until I decided to get an RO filter.

Second time I have seen this mentioned. I'm hoping I'm not going one route and then deciding later to go another way!

[berryman]

I got some of the stuff today, I've been really busy with other projects but couldn't help to not open the boxes. Like a little kid on Christmas morning but for a old guy that likes to brew.



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[Inkleg]

THOSE. ARE. AWESOME!!

[BlackDuck]

Wow. So shiny!!!


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