Water Profile?

  • PATRONS: Did you know we've a chat function for you now? Look to the bottom of the screen, you can chat, set up rooms, talk to each other individually or in groups! Click 'Chat' at the right side of the chat window to open the chat up.
  • Love Gotmead and want to see it grow? Then consider supporting the site and becoming a Patron! If you're logged in, click on your username to the right of the menu to see how as little as $30/year can get you access to the patron areas and the patron Facebook group and to support Gotmead!
  • We now have a Patron-exclusive Facebook group! Patrons my join at The Gotmead Patron Group. You MUST answer the questions, providing your Patron membership, when you request to join so I can verify your Patron membership. If the questions aren't answered, the request will be turned down.

VikeMan

NewBee
Registered Member
Jul 24, 2013
6
1
3
Does anyone build their water from RO/distilled? If so, is there a sort of "default" profile that works best for a typical mead? I'm pretty well versed in (beer) brewing water chemistry, but I would imagine there might be other/different twists for mead. TIA!
 
We do not at our meadery and I am not aware of any commercial meaderies, winereris or cideries doing so. It is more important for beer brewers for hope and grain character than mead/wine makers. Our utility water is pretty soft and good tasting so we simply pass thru a sediment filter and then a chloramine filter to remove chlorine.

Is there an issue with your water? Perhaps if hard well water you may wish to filter. Not sure what would justify the cost/waste of RO.
 
Thanks @darigoni and @stmcw

No, there's no problem (for mead) with my water that I'm aware of. But with beer, I build from distilled, tailored for each batch, for several reasons...
- Mash pH control
- Ensure enough calcium for good yeast flocculation
- Relative Chloride and Sulfate levels for flavor (rounded "malty" vs. crisp/"dry")
- Sodium (sometimes) to enhance some other flavors, like chocolate for example (depending on the beer)

So I was wondering if something similar applies to mead. @stmcw you mentioned that you simply filter your water because it's pretty soft (and good tasting). Does that imply that softer water is better than harder water for mead?