Anyone else find that dark beers tend to clear better than lighter ones?

[moto748]

One of those "is it just me" things, but I have found lately that whereas the stouts I have brewed have been crystal clear (shining a torch through), I have struggled to achieve that level of perfect clarity in bitters and pale (not US) ales, which I would describe as 'clear. but not crystal clear'. I generally bung some Protofloc in everything, so no difference there. Is it down to the ingredients?

 

[chthon]

Do you add acids to your brewing liquor and your mash? The single change I did in the last year was starting to acidify my sparge water (to a pH of 5.2..5..5), and I noticed that my pale beers clear much faster.

Stouts tend to be more acidic, due to the dark and roast malts. That might explain why they clear better.

 

[trummy]

Don't know if kits are included but if they are - No! TR Cwtch is a darkish brew and takes an age to clear. Ritchies Summer Glory is near clear as it is bottled

 

[moto748]

Do you add acids to your brewing liquor and your mash? The single change I did in the last year was starting to acidify my sparge water (to a pH of 5.2..5..5), and I noticed that my pale beers clear much faster.

Stouts tend to be more acidic, due to the dark and roast malts. That might explain why they clear better.

That's interesting. I tend to add acid to stouts anyway, but not bitters! Perhaps I should start bunging a bit of acid into everything.

trummy> can't comment on kits cos I don't use them.