Throughout history great beers have been made in many different parts of the world. Many different factors have played a role on the development and evolution of brewing traditions and practices around the world.
Beer is an agriculturally derived product, so the specific characteristics of beer have historically varied from region to region depending upon the particular growing circumstances associated with a given region. Beer characteristics have also been affected by differing regional political influences on taxation and trade; tax rates and ingredient availability certainly played a role in the brewer’s choice to produce a particular kind of beer.
Beer characteristics are also closely linked the particular methods of malting and kilning of the barley that were employed in a given region of the world. The characteristics of beer are also very much influenced by every step of the process of manufacturing of beer, and has been impacted greatly by the common brewing practices that have been traditionally employed in different parts of the world.
Over time, different cities have become famous for the production of particular styles of beer. There are many reasons for this, but perhaps the greatest influence on the reason that a particular beer style has come to be associated with a particular city is the brewing water.
Water Chemistry Profiles of Famous Brewing Cities
Brewing operations around the world were established long before the chemistry of water was understood. Brewers learned from experience that a brewing recipe that might produce favourable results in one city, might not produce good results in a different city. Beer styles evolved to suit the water of the city in which they were brewed. A brewer grew to understand what types of beer were well suited to the water that was available for brewing. Water profiles of several of major brewing cities are shown in Table 1 and in Figure 1.
Table 1: Water profiles for classic brewing cities (concentration in ppm)
Trademark Kind Class Accepted Owner
AUSSIE APPLES Figurative 31, 32, 33, 35 08/04/20 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
Melbourne Venue Co. Word 32, 33 03/04/20 Australian Venue Co Limited
Sydney Venue Co. Word 32, 33 03/04/20 Australian Venue Co Limited
Perth Venue Co. Word 32, 33 03/04/20 Australian Venue Co Limited
Darwin Venue Co. Word 32, 33 03/04/20 Australian Venue Co Limited
Adelaide Venue Co. Word 32, 33 03/04/20 Australian Venue Co Limited
Queensland Venue Co. Word 32, 33 03/04/20 Australian Venue Co Limited
YAMADA BEE Word 3, 5, 30, 32, 35 17/04/20 YAMADA BEE COMPANY, INC.
YAMADA BEE FARM Word 3, 5, 30, 32, 35, 42 17/04/20 YAMADA BEE COMPANY, INC.
BEROCCA Word 1, 3, 5, 9, 10, 16, 18, 21, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 03/04/20 Bayer Consumer Care AG
SS Figurative 3, 8, 9, 12, 14, 16, 18, 24, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 41 22/04/20 SEAT, S.A.
ORGANIC & RAW TRADING COMPANY Figurative 29, 30, 32, 33 06/04/20 Organic and Raw Pty Ltd
PINEAPPLE LUMPS Word 32 28/04/20 Mondelez International AMEA Pte. Ltd
ZOOM Fancy 32 17/04/20 ARIA TRADING BRIDGE PTY LTD
BELLINEE'S BAKE & BREW Figurative 16, 32, 33, 43 24/04/20 ALL CORPORATION LIMITED
BELLINEE'S BAKE & BREW Figurative 16, 32, 33, 43 24/04/20 ALL CORPORATION LIMITED
BELLINEE'S BAKE & BREW Figurative 16, 32, 33, 43 24/04/20 ALL CORPORATION LIMITED
BELLINEE'S BAKE & BREW Figurative 16, 32, 33, 43 24/04/20 ALL CORPORATION LIMITED
HOPZERO Word 31, 32 30/04/20 Totally Natural Solutions Ltd
UpFlow Word 32 01/04/20 UpFlow Brewing Co. Ltd
YAAS! Fancy 29, 30, 32 03/04/20 Arla Foods amba
YAAS! Word 29, 30, 32 03/04/20 Arla Foods amba
BELGO BELGIAN CRAFT BEER Figurative 32, 35, 40 15/04/20 So Belgium Holding Pte Ltd
TRUE TO NATURE, THE FLAVOR OF KAGOME Figurative 29, 30, 31, 32 01/04/20 KAGOME CO., LTD.
TWIX Word 5, 29, 30, 32 01/04/20 Mars Australia Pty Ltd
V10 Figurative 32 17/04/20 Ndynamics, S.L.
独歩 どっぽ
DOPPO DOPPO
Walking Alone Figurative 32 23/04/20 MIYASHITA SHUZOU CO., LTD.
MONOPOLIO. Fancy 32 24/04/20 LA CERVECERIA DE SAN LUIS LLC
MONOPOLIO Word 32 24/04/20 LA CERVECERIA DE SAN LUIS LLC
JOE'S GARAGE Word 29, 30, 32, 43 14/04/20 JOE'S GARAGE JV LIMITED
Dangerously Drinkable Word 32 02/04/20 Badlands Brewery Pty Ltd
BANNER CROSS THA KNOWS Figurative 32 02/04/20 STEEL CITY BREWING PTY LTD
M MICHELOB ULTRA SUPERIOR LIGHT BEER Figurative 32 02/04/20 Anheuser-Busch, LLC
BRIGHT BREWERY ALPINE LAGER Figurative 32 03/04/20 Alpine Valleys Brewing Pty Ltd
BRIGHT BREWERY ALPINE ALE Figurative 32 03/04/20 Alpine Valleys Brewing Pty Ltd
HIGHJACK Word 32 17/04/20 Xebra Brands, Ltd.
Cows with Guns Word 32 03/04/20 KING TIDE BREWING PTY LTD
Grandstander Word 32 03/04/20 KING TIDE BREWING PTY LTD
WUSU Figurative 32 20/04/20 XINJIANG WUSU BREWERIES CO., LTD.
EWE BEAUT Figurative 32 14/04/20 Coles Group Limited
GABS HOTTEST 100 AUSSIE CRAFT BEERS Word 32, 35 14/04/20 SPECTAPULAR ENTERPRISES PTY LTD
COME TOGETHER OVER A BEVY Word 25, 32 17/04/20 Lion - Beer, Spirits & Wine Pty Ltd
SAINTLY Word 21, 25, 32, 33 22/04/20 Chilli Marketing Brand Management Ltd
BIG ORSE Figurative 25, 32 08/04/20 Kess Marstella
PACALE Word 32 20/04/20 Fermentum Pty Ltd
BEER MATE - AUSTRALIA'S MOST ASKED FOR BEER-ORIGINAL MATE-RASPBERRY LIPS-REVIVER Word 32 15/04/20 Henry Lesniak
GINGER BEERD Word 32 19/12/19 Aether Group Pty Ltd
Lead Head Lager Word 16, 32 24/04/20 BRAESIDE BREWING CO Pty Ltd
Meletos Word 32, 40, 43 21/04/20 S.L. FRAZER ENTERPRISES PTY. LTD.
WORKING CLASSY Word 32, 40, 43 28/04/20 White Bay Beer Company Pty Limited
BROUGHT TOGETHER BY BEER Word 32, 40, 43 30/04/20 White Bay Beer Company Pty Limited
HOP GARDEN Word 32 28/04/20 Intellectual Property Development Corporation Pty Ltd
BRWD Figurative 30, 32, 33, 40, 43 03/04/20 RES PUBLICA PTY. LIMITED
SOUL TRACKERS Word 32, 33 07/04/20 Australian Vintage Limited
SUNBURST Word 32, 33 07/04/20 Lion - Beer, Spirits & Wine Pty Ltd
Bomonti Fabrika Word 32 03/04/20 ANADOLU EFES BIRACILIK VE MALT SANAYI ANONIM SIRKETI
BORN IN GEELONG, ENJOYED ALL OVER Word 32, 33 14/04/20 Lion - Beer, Spirits & Wine Pty Ltd
X-MARK FLAVOURED BEERS BOLD MIX-DRINKS Fancy 32 02/04/20 United Dutch Breweries B.V.
TAIL BEAST Word 32, 33 20/04/20 Lion - Beer, Spirits & Wine Pty Ltd
HAMMER & SNAIL Word 32, 33 20/04/20 Lion - Beer, Spirits & Wine Pty Ltd
CIDEWINEDER Word 32, 33 20/04/20 Casella Wines Pty Limited
837 by Salena Word 30, 32, 33 24/04/20 SALENA ESTATE WINES PTY LTD
COLLABORATIONS Word 32, 33 28/04/20 Coles Group Limited
PUBLIC BREWING CO WATER SUN BEER Figurative 32, 33, 35, 40 06/04/20 Public Brewing Co Pty Ltd
PUBLIC BREWING CO Word 32, 33, 35, 40 06/04/20 Public Brewing Co Pty Ltd
PUBLIC DRAUGHT EVERYDAY BEER Figurative 32, 33 06/04/20 Public Brewing Co Pty Ltd
THE PUBLIC BREWERY WATER SUN BEER Figurative 32, 33, 35 06/04/20 The Public Brewery Pty Limited
PUBLIC DRAUGHT Word 32, 33 28/04/20 Public Brewing Co Pty Ltd
Seabourne Word 32, 33, 35 01/04/20 Weir Distilling Company Pty Ltd
Q TRUE CRAFT SPIRIT Figurative 16, 32, 33, 41 16/04/20 Trossachs Distillery Limited
D'yavol Word 32, 33, 43 16/04/20 SLAB beverages B.V.
RAINBIRD Word 32, 33 15/04/20 Endeavour Group Limited
PIPE DREAMS Word 32 02/04/20 Gage Roads Brewing Co Ltd
GAGE ROADS BREWING CO PIPE DREAMS COASTAL LAGER Figurative 32 02/04/20 Gage Roads Brewing Co Ltd
Communitinnies Word 32 29/04/20 Hop Nation Pty Ltd
FLYING BEETLE Word 32 20/04/20 DOMEA PTY LTD
THE SMILE LAB Word 32 20/04/20 Emencee Pty Ltd
LOCK IN LAGER Word 32 24/04/20 Endeavour Beverages Pty Ltd
DRINKS CART Word 32, 33, 35 23/04/20 Asahi Premium Beverages Pty Ltd
Coaster Word 32 28/04/20 SOUTH EAST BREWING COMPANY PTY LTD
Figure 1: Water profiles for classic brewing cities (concentration in ppm)
It is clear from the data that water naturally occurring in different cities has very varying levels of dissolved minerals. It is these differences that have helped define the beer and brewing of these cities. Here are descriptions of the distinct brewing waters associated with different cities, and the types of beer that have come to be associated with these cities as a result of the brewing water.
Pilsen – Very soft, low-alkalinity water is optimal for the pale color and clean bitterness of a Pilsner beer. The soft water allows the proper mash pH to be reached using only base malts, and helps the beer achieve the softly-rich flavour of fresh bread. The low sulfate content enables mellow hop bitterness without overpowering the soft maltiness. It also enhances noble hop aroma.
Dortmund – Dortmund is famous for the production of pale lagers and specifically famous for Dortmund Export. Dortmund Export has less hop character than a Pilsner, but a more assertive malt character that is enhanced by the higher levels of all minerals. The balance of the minerals is similar to Vienna, but the beer is bolder, drier, and lighter in colour. Dortmund water is considered to be relatively hard water, with fairly high levels of most all of the water minerals. This water is ideal for making the medium-bitter, pale style that is the Dortmund Export lager.
Vienna – Vienna is known for the production of well-balanced, amber lagers. Vienna has water that contains low levels of sodium and chloride but has a relatively high level of overall hardness. It also has a relatively high sulfate content that helps contribute to a dry finish and can help accentuate the nuttiness of the slightly more highly-kilned malts that are associated with this kind of beer.
Munich – Munich is a city that is known for its dunkles, bocks, märzens and Oktoberfest. The smooth flavours of these types of beer generally have a distinctively sweeter, malty profile that results from effectively using darker malts to balance the acidifying characteristics associated with the carbonate in the mashing and brewing waters. The relatively low sulphur content of Munich’s water enables hop bitterness to be mellow and allows the malt to dominate the flavour profile.
London – London is historically known for its bitters, milds and porters. London water varies from district to district but is exemplified by low calcium, moderate carbonates, high sodium and high chloride content. Water with moderate carbonates and high levels of sodium and chloride are well-suited for brewing smooth, dark, balanced beers that are exemplified by styles such as milds and porters. The sodium also accentuated the sweetness of porter.
Edinburgh – Edinburgh is famous for Scottish ale. This style of beer is a ruby-red, dark, sweet, malty beer with a mellow, slight hop finish. The water of Edinburgh is very similar to that of London, but has a slightly higher bicarbonate and sulfate content. This type of water is ideal for a beer with lots of malt body and enables the beer to be perceived as balanced even though only a small amount of hops are used in the brewing process.
Burton-on-Trent – Burton-on-Trent is known for India pale ale. The water of Burton-on-Trent is very high in calcium and sulfates and relatively low in sodium. The high level of sulfate and low sodium level is ideal for the production of a beer with assertive hop bitterness like an India Pale Ale.
Dublin – Dublin is famous for dry stouts. Dublin water has the highest concentration of bicarbonates of any of the famous brewing centers within the British Isles. This extremely high bicarbonate content is perfect for producing beers that require the use of the highly acidic, dark, roasted malts that define the stout style. Relatively low levels of sodium, chloride, and sulfate allow hop bitterness to unobtrusively balance all of the roasty goodness.
How Dissolved Substances Influence Beer
All brewing water contains dissolved ions that influence various steps in the brewing process and have an impact on the final flavor of the finished beer. Adjusting the concentrations of these substances allows a brewer to customize the brewing water to match that of a historical brewing centre, or to produce brewing water that is ideally suited for the production of a beer with particular characteristics. Table 2 below provides an overview of how various dissolved ions impact beer.
Table 2: How dissolved ions impact beer
OLD NEW TASTING NOTES CHANGES
Pale Ale 5.2% Pale Ale 4.6% Light and refreshing. A light bright contemporary Pale Ale with tropical and spicy hop notes. Reduced ABV but maintained fullness of flavour. Changed water salt profile to enhance softness of palate.
Dirty Word Lager 5% Lager 4.4% A crisp and refreshing lager, dry and light in body with noble hop characters. The Springfield Pilsner recipe replaces Dirty Word Lager entirely and Dirty World Lager is retired. Reduced malt and hop complexity to make the beer more approachable and reduced ABV.
Pilot Light 3.5% Cold One 3.5% A full bodied, bright tropical and complex beer punching well above its weight. Easy Tiger is an out and out craft beer high in flavour and self-control. The beer will have a new and improved recipe based on the old Pilot Light recipe but tweaked into a more easy drinking, but still noticeably hoppy, mid strength pale ale. A new hop bill to make it less piney and lighter and brighter. Changed water salt profile, added more oats and wheat, changed mash schedule to increase fullness of body, and changed lautering process to reduce astringency.
Revelation IPA 6.5% IPA 5.8% Contemporary IPA on trend with Aussie drinkers. Light malt body designed to prop up brighter hops. Complex yet inviting hop bill with fruity, piney, berry and earthy characters. An IPA for drinking. The recipe for IPA has been totally revised to reduce the malt character and increase the vibrance of the Australian Vic Secret hop aroma.
Oaked XPA 5.8% Oaked XPA 5.5% A full bodied Xtra Pale Ale. Fresh mango and grapefruit notes are complimented from vanilla characters from the toasted American oak. There will be no changes to the flavour of Ballistic’s most highly awarded beer except for a slightly lower ABV.
Making Great Beer
Great beer is made from great ingredients. Since beer is mostly made of water, it is not surprising that the composition of the water is very important to taste and characteristics of the finisher beer. By matching the mineral content of your brewing water to that of the city from which a particular beer style originated, you can be sure that your beer will be as authentic as possible.
To obtain a desired mineral content in your brewing water, obtain an assay of your brewing water and then make adjustments based on the information given in Table 3.
Table 3: Contribution of various substances to brewing water
Trademark Kind Class Accepted Owner
GARRISON Word 14, 29, 30, 32, 33, 43, 44 18 May 2020 Caryn Mandabach Productions Limited
V VEGAN BEVVEG! Figurative 32, 33, 42 04 May 2020 Carissa Kranz
BROUWERIJ DE MOLEN Figurative 32 18 May 2020 Brouwerij De Molen B.V.
TRADIE Fancy 2, 25, 32 20 May 2020 Sojo Pty Ltd
BANNER CROSS THA KNOWS YORKSHIRE PALE 4.5% ALC Figurative 16, 32 19 May 2020 STEEL CITY BREWING PTY LTD
BALLISTIC COLD ONE Word 32 11 May 2020 Ballistic Beer Company Pty Ltd
BIG DROP Word 32, 33, 40 04 May 2020 Big Drop Brewing Company Limited
LINGONCELLO Word 32, 33 14 May 2020 Mother's Milk Beverages Oy
GREEN AFFINITY Word 32 21 May 2020 john mansfield
MIXED GIRL Fancy 32 14 May 2020 Xu Li
BROKEN KNIGHT Word 32 12 May 2020 Box, Tray & Giraffe Limited
Qingdao Blue Gate Food Co., Ltd.
LOST ISLAND'S Fancy 32 04 May 2020 Box, Tray & Giraffe Limited
Qingdao Blue Gate Food Co., Ltd.
5 Cowboys Word 32 21 May 2020 Ren Parisi
HAZE OF OUR LIVES Word 32 15 May 2020 Boundary Road Brewery Limited
Y2K Word 32 14 May 2020 Nail Brewing Australia Pty Ltd
PINE HAVEN ESTATE Word 32, 33 04 May 2020 AUSTRALIAN YOYOU DAIRY PTY LTD
AQUACODE Fancy 32 15 May 2020 Aquamarine Minerals Technology Co.
VAIVE Figurative 32 15 May 2020 KKV INTERNATIONAL PTY LTD
Go With Your Gut Word 32 18 May 2020 REBELLION BREWING PTY LTD
EFES DRAFT PREMIUM QUALITY INGREDIENTS Figurative 32 07 May 2020 ANADOLU EFES BIRACILIK VE MALT SANAYI ANONIM SIRKETI
Image description: MAZE Figurative 32, 33 05 May 2020 Coles Group Limited
EFES EXTRA Word 32 13 May 2020 ANADOLU EFES BIRACILIK VE MALT SANAYI ANONIM SIRKETI
Harry Power Word 32, 33 08 May 2020 Simon Killeen
L'ASTUCE Word 32, 33, 35, 40, 43 11 May 2020 L’Astuce Limited
Basileus Word 32, 33 11 May 2020 ANGOVE'S PROPRIETARY LIMITED
YTB Yeah The Boys Word 32 21 May 2020 Yeah The Boys Apparel Pty Ltd
STEAK N EGGS Word 32, 33 11 May 2020 Pro-Matrix International Pty Ltd
Image description: BLOOM,STYLISED IN SQUARE Figurative 25, 32, 33 15 May 2020 Siete Bucks Ventures LLC
LITTLE BUNNY Word 32 26 May 2020 Intellectual Property Development Corporation Pty Ltd
HELLS BELLS XPA Word 32 20 May 2020 Bells Beach Brewing Pty Ltd
SUCKY MONMON Word 32, 33 15 May 2020 Panhead Custom Ales Limited
PIKES BEER CO Word 32 26 May 2020 Pikes Beer Company Pty Ltd
Spirits From The Land Word 32, 33, 35 21 May 2020 Australian Organic Distillery Pty Ltd
BIRRA MORETTI Figurative 32 27 May 2020 Heineken Italia S.p.A.
SOMEDAY Word 32, 33, 43 20 May 2020 Brick Lane Brewing Co Pty Ltd
TAME TIGER Word 32, 33 25 May 2020 Southcorp Brands Pty Limited
TINNIES Figurative 32 29 May 2020 Coles Group Limited
ODE TO AMY COAL COAST BREWING CO 1898 COMMON ALE Figurative 32 29 May 2020 Kelly Carey
Image description: MOUNTAIN SEEN WITH SUN,DISC,RISING, AGAVES & STILL Figurative 25, 32, 33 25 May 2020 Siete Bucks Ventures LLC
STAY SPIRITED. DRINK FREE Word 32, 33 27 May 2020 Zero Proof International Limited
SEPIA Word 30, 32, 33 28 May 2020 Lion-Beer, Spirits & Wine Pty Ltd
HOPPY DAYS Word 6, 7, 11, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 41 07 May 2020 Hoppy Days Brewing Pty Ltd trading as Hoppy Days Brewing Supplies
MAIDENII Word 32, 33 29 May 2020 Maidenii Pty Ltd as trustee for the Maidenii Unit Trust
MAIDENII VERMOUTH Fancy 32, 33 29 May 2020 Maidenii Pty Ltd as trustee for the Maidenii Unit Trust
OPLAND AQUAVIT OPLANDSKE SPRITFABRIK 1872 ROUND AND BALANCED TASTE MATURED FOR 24 MONTHS CRAFTED FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL RECIPE Figurative 32, 33, 43 28 May 2020 ARCUS NORWAY AS
R&B Word 32 07 May 2020 Innovation Focus Pty Ltd
merivale at home Word 32, 33, 43 12 May 2020 HEMMES TRADING PTY LIMITED
Beachscape Brewery Word 32, 33 01 May 2020 ESCAPE BREWING PTY LTD
ROYALE LIQUOR Figurative 32, 33 01 May 2020 JIN ZHU
SW Figurative 25, 32, 43 04 May 2020 Sou'West Brewery Pty Ltd
DRINKING CLAWS Word 25, 32, 33 18 May 2020 MA Brands Beverage Unlimited Company
RAY Word 32 06 May 2020 Hop Nation Pty Ltd
RETOX Word 32 14 May 2020 JENNIFER HILARY BASARABA as trustee for the P & J BASARABA FAMILY TRUST
Oceans Spirit Word 32, 33 21 May 2020 THE ACADEMY GROUP PTY LTD
YES WE CAN Word 29, 32, 35 18 May 2020 Continental Delicatessen Pty Ltd
Best Coast Word 32 11 May 2020 Red Island Group Pty Ltd As Trustee for Red Island Group Unit Trust
Survivor Type Word 32 11 May 2020 Red Island Group Pty Ltd As Trustee for Red Island Group Unit Trust
GINGER BEERD Figurative 32 18 May 2020 AETHER GROUP PTY LTD
OJAS Figurative 29, 30, 31, 32 28 May 2020 Vivid Basil Pty Ltd
Just in Word 32, 33, 43 27 May 2020 HEMMES TRADING PTY LIMITED
Juice Train Word 32, 33 22 May 2020 Red Island Group Pty Ltd As Trustee for Red Island Group Unit Trust
Double Time Word 32, 33 22 May 2020 Red Island Group Pty Ltd As Trustee for Red Island Group Unit Trust
Dangerous Ales Word 32, 33 25 May 2020 DANGEROUS ALES PTY LTD
tailey's Word 32 26 May 2020 Innovation Focus Pty Ltd
References:
1) Freccia, Nico, Brew Your Own, May 1996
2) Palmer, John, How to Brew, Chapters 4 & 15, 2006, p.37-39, 153-165
Links About Brewing Water:
http://www.antiochsudsuckers.com/tom/brewingwater.htm
http://www.homebrew.com/mike_brew_corner/mike_03270101.shtml
http://www.brodiescastlebrewing.com/index.php?topic=142.0
http://www.howtobrew.com/section3/chapter15-2.html.
I’m a homebrewer from Melbourne and my water comes from the Silvan reservoir. This water (and most other water in Melbourne) is softer again than Pilsen:
http://www.sewl.com.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Residential/Water_Quality/Typical_%20Water_Analysis.pdf
Water this soft is essentially a blank slate. While that does mean that making great beer requires some understanding of brewing water chemistry, I’d much prefer to be adding stuff to my water than taking it out!
Of course, many brewers with hard water simply skip the tap and buy it by the container.