Using bottled water

[john321]

Hello, could i use fizzy bottled water to make my homebrew from beer and wine kits instead of stilled bottled water. Will this improve and increase fermentation, will it alter the final taste, thanks.

[crafty john]

Why don't you just use tap water treated with 1/2 a campden tab, works for me. I can't answer your question about fizzy water, I am sure someone will be along to answer you though.

[jimp2003]

Carbonated water is more acidic than still water and that could have an effect on the beer....

[Kev888]

I believe it may actually harm fementation as the fizz is CO2 and not oxygen. The yeast needs oxygen to work and, as I understand it, having the wort saturated in CO2 isn't helpful in that respect.

Cheers
Kev

[mickhew]

Yes, yeast needs oxygen, not Co2 to work. Plus, if you used it, it will go flat quickly anyway, as you will have stirred it vigorously before you pitched the yeast, then left it sitting in a bucket. What's your thinking behind it? Is it to make the beer fizzy? If yes, then that's not going to work. If you want to try, because you've had trouble with fizz in your other attempts then let us know, as someone can help you out with any problems.

[Normski]

Hi John

Is there a reason you are not using your tap water.

[Ozzyjohn]

I've used fizzy bottled water when brewing a Muntons cider kit.

Why did I bother?

Two reasons -
1. It provided a source of suitable bottles to put the end result into.
2. It was on special offer - can't remember how much, but very cheap.

Did it work? Yes, all was/is fine. Bit of a pain to thrash the bubbles out once in the brewing bin, but no big deal. Might get round to trying again using tap water to see how that compares, but not rushing to do so.

For all other brews that I have done it has always been tap water - straight from the tap (nothing added).

No, three reasons -
3. Just to see if it would work:)

Regards,
John

[john321]

Thanks for your replies. I was just wondering, if the sparkling water would alter the brew, better or worse, if anyone had tried it. I have decided not to use our tap water as it is not good, we have problems with limescale. I am now using still spring water from Aldi at £1 for 8 litres, this only adds aproximately £2.50 to the barrell, & I get to use the empty bottles for the brew.

[Beer O'Clock]

Tesco and ASDA do 2 litre bottles for 17-18p. Shop around and save some money.