The Importance of Water Quality in Brewing Beer

1. Why Water Matters

Water comprises roughly 90–95% of beer and is the foundation upon which every flavor and aroma is built . But it’s not just the amount—it’s the quality that plays a pivotal role. The mineral and chemical makeup of your brewing water impacts enzyme activity in mash, yeast health, pH levels, and ultimately, taste, mouthfeel, and clarity .

2. Essential Water Chemistry Metrics

• Mineral Content (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO₄²⁻, Cl⁻, Na⁺, HCO₃⁻):
  • Calcium aids enzyme function, yeast flocculation, and mash pH stability.
  • Magnesium supports yeast but can cause bitterness if excessive.
  • Sulfate highlights hop bitterness; chloride enhances malt richness .
• pH & Alkalinity: Ideal mash pH sits around 5.2–5.6. Alkalinity affects buffering capacity—too much can raise mash pH and extract harsh tannins .
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): A TDS below ~500 ppm ensures a clean brewing slate .

3. Regional Water Profiles & Beer Styles

Different beer styles historically evolved based on local water compositions. Soft water from Pilsen suits pilsners, while the sulfate-rich water of Burton‑on‑Trent defines pale ales—hence the brewing method called Burtonisation, where gypsum is added to replicate that water profile .

4. How EW Technologies Helps Brewers

At EW Technologies, we offer comprehensive water testing and tailored purification systems so brewers can:

• Remove unwanted elements like chlorine, chloramines, PFAS, and heavy metals—removal essential since municipal water often contains these contaminants .
• Use advanced filtration (reverse osmosis, carbon block, ion exchange) to produce a clean base—ideal for consistent brewing.
• Customise water profiles, adding back minerals like calcium, sulfate, chloride, and bicarbonate, to match target beer styles.

Our solutions ensure stable, reproducible water quality—empowering brewers to focus on crafting flavors, not troubleshooting water variability.

5. Smart Water Strategy = Better Beer

Here’s how to elevate your brewing:

1. Test your source – Request municipal water analyses or send samples for lab testing.
2. Choose your base – Use reverse osmosis or bottled spring water to start from a blank canvas.
3. Adjust minerals – Add brewing salts (gypsum, calcium chloride, Epsom salt) based on your desired beer style .
4. Monitor pH – Use reliable meters to maintain mash pH around 5.2–5.6 .
5. Filter contaminants – Remove chlorine, PFAS, heavy metals, and off-flavor precursors .

6. The EW Technologies Advantage

EW Technologies delivers tailored solutions including:

• Custom water reports and consultative support.
• High-performance filtration systems (RO units, carbon filters, ion exchangers).
• Ongoing maintenance and monitoring services to ensure long-term water consistency.

Why it matters: Clean, controlled water lets you replicate iconic beer profiles, boost mash efficiency, and avoid flavor defects like astringency or chlorine tang.

Conclusion

Water isn’t just a basic ingredient—it’s the canvas every brewer paints upon. With the right balance of minerals, pH, and purity, you unlock a clearer mash, more stable fermentation, and beer flavor crafted to specification.

At EW Technologies, we’re committed to equipping brewers—from microbreweries to large-scale producers—with the tools, expertise, and service to harness water quality and brew with excellence. Let us help you elevate your next batch.