As is the case with drinking water, water employed for the production of beer and soft drinks must be neutral in odor and taste.
beer, beer-based beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, mineral water
A qualitative test is performed after shaking the water in a sealed, odor-neutral bottle. Water possessing an odor is measured quantitatively on the basis of a sensory threshold. Water possessing an odor is diluted with odorless water until the odor is barely perceptible (by at least three people). The ratio of the total volume (water with odor + odorless water) to the volume of the mixture containing the water sample is designated as the odor threshold. The taste test should always be performed after evaluating the odor, since the perception of odor can be influenced by flavor.