Brewng Lager

[Antony]

Hey Gents,

So I'm brewing my first lager, a Brewers Spring Lager kit, From canada!

This Beast contains a mighty 7.5l or hopped extract, 17g of Cascade pellets, coopers yeast and something called bentonite.

Just a few questions about it,

Bentonite, what is it? Do I still need to adda campden tablet?
It says to add the cascade pellets at the beginning of fermentation. I assume if you ferment for a real period of time, instead of the week suggested on the kit, These should be added after two weeks, when its transferred to a secondary FV to clear?


Thanks, Antony

PS: Ill let you know how this turns out!

 

[rpt]

I think bentonite are finings to help the beer to clear. You still need a campden tablet as they do different things. I don't think you want to add the hops at the start of fermentation as the CO2 will drive off the aroma.

 

[PD]

Bentonite is ground up volcanic rock...used as a fining agent to help settle out the suspended debris in your beer.
Leave it out unless you really need it, or your in a hurry....try giving it extra time instead

 

[Antony]

i'll leave it out then, I wont want any before summer. I only got the kit as it was on offer at my LHBS.

I think I'll leave it in the fermenter for 2 weeks, then rack into a secondarry to clear and add the hop pellets for a week, and then prime and bottle

 

[Scubabrewer]

Bentonite = a clay from the USA mostly used to clear wine, I would stick with gelatine - cheap, easy to use and works every time for me.
Scubabrewer