Water for Brewing

Learn how the water you use affects the beer you brew.

Water is the largest by volume component of beer and its composition has historically been critical to developing beer styles around the world.  

Today there are many options for brewers to understand, test, and modify their water in order to make great beer.  

Course Description

This one-day course will cover key issues every brewer should know about the quality of their water, including: 

• A historic overview of water in brewing and beer styles
• How the natural environment affects the quality of surface water and groundwater supply sources 
• Water chemistry in municipal water treatment and distribution, and how to understand your municipal water reports
• How to test water for key parameters that affect beer taste
• An analytics and cost comparison of different water testing kits
• Adjustments to water chemistry in the brewing process 
• Sensory evaluation tastings of the same beer brewed with different water

Course Format and Schedule 

Date: February 10, 2020

Time: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Location: Courtyard Marriott, Shippensburg

Cost: $350 

Also Included in the Cost:

• Hands-on training with water chemistry kits
• Sensory evaluation tastings
• Lunch and light refreshments

Course Instructors

Dr. Christopher Woltemade, Professor of Geography and Earth Science focusing in water hydrology and civil engineering and home brewer with 25 years of experience.

David Kozloski, Head Brewer and Co-founder of GearHouse Brewing Company

Dr. Alison E Feeney, Professor of Geography and Earth Science at Shippensburg University and author of For the Love of Beer: Pennsylvania Breweries