Distilled Water

[Zuma]

Is this suitable for making beer?

I was thinking for Pilsners.

[Trough Lolly]

G'day Zuma - is your tap water that bad? Where are you?

Cheers,
TL

[brewbeast]

i think what you can do is blend distilled with filtered tap water, eg 50/50

[Zuma]

No nothing wrong with it just a question.

Was thinking you needed softer water for Pilsners thats all?

[Bum]

I think distilled water lacks minerals that yeast likes and isn't as suitable as other types of water. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

[skurvy84]

i used spring water in a cerveza with fantastic results (it was a kit) i was of the same thought as bum

[warra48]

If you are using a kit, then distilled water should work well for making Pilsners.

However, if you are brewing AG, your water will need some mineral components to help the mash along and to help the yeast when fermenting.

Pilzen water is very soft, but it is not totally devoid of minerals. Distilled water has no mineral components at all.

BeerSmith gives me this profile for Pilsen water:
7.0 ppm Calcium
2.0 ppm Magnesium
2.0 ppm Sodium
5.0 ppm Sulphate
5.0 ppm Chloride
15.0 ppm Bicarbonate

[Trough Lolly]

As Warra48 suggests, water isn't a huge issue if you aren't brewing all grain. Yes, you need softer water with less ions present but I wouldn't recommend brewing exclusively with ion free water. Without knowing the water you use or how you're going to make the Pils, I'd be guessing; and I won't.

[Bum]

Ah, sorry for the kinda misinformation. Thanks for the correction, guys.

[4x4xfar]

I wouldnt go as far as Distilled water.

I use Reverse Osmosis Filtered water which basically removes up to 98% of the Dissolved Ions and 99% of most other contaminants including most TDS (total dissolved solids). RO water where I live can usually take the conductivity from around 150us to under 2.0us, which is pretty good and works well in home brew.

But if you go as far as Distilled water which utilises and EDI Unit (Electro De-ionisation) then the water is that pure that it has nothing in it, which is great for car batteries and boiler tubes as it is less corrosive and scale forming. The Conductivity is that low that it acts as an Insulator and wont conduct electricity! But to drink it, I dont know? I heard it will make you sh*t through the eye of a needle?