Technics on clearing beer?

sleepyjamie · Post by **sleepyjamie** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:58 pm

Irish moss.
Cold Crashing.

what else?

Post by **Jimmy** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:01 pm

I use irish moss, but don't know if it makes a difference. I find most of my beer becomes extremely clear after about 3 weeks kegged and in the fridge.

Tony L · Post by **Tony L** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:14 pm

I use whirfloc tablets/Irish Moss in the boil and sometimes will use gelatin to clear a stubborn beer.

But like Jimmy, I cold crash, and that usually takes care of things.

CorneliusAlphonse · Post by **CorneliusAlphonse** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:39 pm

I dont use anything. but again, if i leave it in the keg a few weeks (3 or 4), it becomes very clear.

CartoonCod · Post by **CartoonCod** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 8:01 pm

Although I have never used it, isinglass can clear up beer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isinglass

Post by **RubberToe** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 8:35 pm

Vigorous boil helps with hot break. I have a history of not having the most powerful boil although that changed with the new brew rig.

Whirlflock / Irish Moss helps with cold break. Chilling your wort quickly also helps with cold break. I think you got the chilling part down pat with the plate chiller.

Cold crashing. I cold crash in my primary a few days before transferring to the keg. It helps a fair bit.

Gelatin. Sometimes I add gelatin to the primary as I cold crash it; maybe with 50% of my paler ales. This helps but I'm not sure if I even need to do that since my beers end up really clear anyways.

Time. I do 3 weeks in the primary before I cold crash, a few days of that, then keg. I am usually drinking my ales in 4 weeks from grain to glass.

All of these things help, and maybe there's not one in particular that makes or breaks it. I do have consistently clear beers by doing these things.

-Rob

Post by **RubberToe** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 8:38 pm

Another thing... You could also transfer to a secondary vessel using it for a clarifying stage.

erslar00 · Post by **erslar00** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:16 pm

I use the Irish Moss in the boil and then if it doesn't clear during the end of primary hit it with some Gelatin... always comes out very clear after Gelatin..

dexter · Post by **dexter** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 6:06 pm

I use irish moss and cold crashing, and if it isnt clear, I simply dont worry about it.

amartin · Post by **amartin** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 6:22 pm

I ran out of irish moss a few years ago and never got anymore. It didn't seem to make much difference. I use a secondary fermenter and cold crash, and in the winter I drink my beer a little warmer. There's no chill haze when it's not chilled all the way.

KMcK · Post by **KMcK** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 7:33 pm

I invite some friends over and the beer clears out all too fast.

Seriously, though, is this the way Americans are spelling techniques now?

sleepyjamie · Post by **sleepyjamie** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:49 pm

KMcK wrote:I invite some friends over and the beer clears out all too fast.

Seriously, though, is this the way Americans are spelling techniques now?

sorry. i used to be a dj. i guess the turntables are still in my head.

Post by **LeafMan66_67** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:09 pm

Mine clears 3 to 4 weeks after keg is in fridge. Unfortunately, I've drank most of it by then.

GAM · Post by **GAM** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:30 am

Jimmy wrote:I use irish moss, but don't know if it makes a difference. I find most of my beer becomes extremely clear after about 3 weeks kegged and in the fridge.

Some times see through.

Sandy

IanCompetent · Post by **IanCompetent** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 12:10 pm

I concur with "Rubber Toe" Rob; the clarity in the stuff that I was brewing went up dramatically after I acquired a wort chiller. I use that in conjunction with an ice bath and usually have my beer cooled down within 10-15 minutes. I'm also an Irish Moss believer. I noticed a big difference when I used it and when I didn't.

McGruff · Post by **McGruff** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 7:56 am

I always add Gelatin a day after kegging and transfer it to another keg 5 days later. Always comes out clear.

Jayme · Post by **Jayme** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 8:18 am

I too use gelatin in conjunction with a cask widge. Crash it in the fridge, and transfer to a keg with a regular dip tube.

bluenose · Post by **bluenose** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 8:30 am

I hear the pros clear their beer by cold filtering... maybe you guys should too

:shitstorm:

McGruff · Post by **McGruff** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 9:22 am

I tried that once, but those triple hops clogged it...

Tony L · Post by **Tony L** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 10:12 am

bluenose wrote:I hear the pros clear their beer by cold filtering... maybe you guys should too

Getting harder to keep a horse these days... what with the price of feed and all.. just to filter beer with.

Stusbrews · Post by **Stusbrews** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:10 pm

A noobie question....is cold crashing recommended for bottle priming, or only for kegging? Wondering if it isnt too hard on the yeastie beasts..

amartin · Post by **amartin** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:47 pm

It's fine. Unless you're lagering for several months before bottling, there'll be enough yeast.

Stusbrews · Post by **Stusbrews** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:56 pm

Thanx for easing my mind! Been in the fridge since this morn.

spuds · Post by **spuds** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:44 pm

Mine has been at 4 deg for 4 weeks so I will let you know as unfortunately I am still bottling.

Stusbrews · Post by **Stusbrews** » Sun Jul 15, 2012 10:42 pm

Lol. Im only giving it a couple days in the fridge, and bottling it. Only got one batch thats really ready, and another 2 weeks bottled, so I need the variety! Once I can get a bit ahead Ill probly leave them longer, but till then gonna keep it reasonable....
add to that Im new at it, so dont think the extra time will make a whole lot of difference, not till I get a lil more consistent at least. Theyre yummy, but know they could have been done better.