Salt additions & RO Water

[Damofto]

Lads.

Finally getting back to all-grain brewing after about 18 months because of new house, the house is fed by a well with very hard water so I installed a new Softener and 5 stage RO system.

I'm hoping to brew an English Bitter and possibly a lager too over the long weekend but I'm not sure what additions to use with the R/O.  I have downloaded Bru'n water but find that very confusing.

If I select the Burton Water profile in Beersmith for the Bitter and maybe Pilsen for the lager would that be a good starting point, or what would ye recommend for standard 23 litre batches?

I'm sure I'll refine it in time as I learn more but want to brew something drinkable to start with.

Thanks in advance

[armedcor]

Hopefully someone with a bit more knowledge will chime in but I've heard a water softener isn't good for brewing water. 

[Dr Jacoby]

Lads.

Finally getting back to all-grain brewing after about 18 months because of new house, the house is fed by a well with very hard water so I installed a new Softener and 5 stage RO system.

I'm hoping to brew an English Bitter and possibly a lager too over the long weekend but I'm not sure what additions to use with the R/O.  I have downloaded Bru'n water but find that very confusing.

If I select the Burton Water profile in Beersmith for the Bitter and maybe Pilsen for the lager would that be a good starting point, or what would ye recommend for standard 23 litre batches?

I'm sure I'll refine it in time as I learn more but want to brew something drinkable to start with.

Thanks in advance

You're in luck. Here's a quick guide by the best water nerd out there for someone in your exact situation:

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=198460

[Dr Jacoby]

Hopefully someone with a bit more knowledge will chime in but I've heard a water softener isn't good for brewing water.

If the RO system is after the softener it will scrub the excess sodium and the water will be perfect for brewing.

[Damofto]

Thanks a million Dr Jacoby, that seems easy enough and definitely a great starting point. The RO is after the softener so the water should be perfect hopefully.

[DEMPSEY]

The great thing about having R O water is you start with a blank canvass

[Damofto]

Yes true and it should always be the same so I can keep tweaking the adjustments until I get them the way I want.  I'm looking forward to learning more about this now.