getting beer to clear

[bootneck]

Are there any ways to make sure that your brew will clear .I'm talking using kits not full grain .
Any views ?

 

[airymary]

Are there any ways to make sure that your brew will clear .I'm talking using kits not full grain .
Any views ?

Kits should be relatively free of particles, thanks to filtration processes during production. The obvious exception is yeast particles produced during fermentation. There's 3 ways to clear those, finings, crash cooling or filtration.

Many homebrewers adapt a fridge as a fermentation cupboard, and crash cool once fermentation is over. Some adapt filter housings, and run the finished beer through it prior to kegging/bottling. I just use finings.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[Sandimas]

The only reason I can think that they wouldn't clear is time: I've done 48 brews (kits and Extract) and they've all cleared, some faster, some slower. A few developed chill haze when refridgerated.

These days, I move the brew into a secondary FV after 2-3 weeks, then place that in a cool place for a week or so: after that beer's almost clear, ready for bottling or kegging.

 

[bootneck]

Kits should be relatively free of particles, thanks to filtration processes during production. The obvious exception is yeast particles produced during fermentation. There's 3 ways to clear those, finings, crash cooling or filtration.

Many homebrewers adapt a fridge as a fermentation cupboard, and crash cool once fermentation is over. Some adapt filter housings, and run the finished beer through it prior to kegging/bottling. I just use finings.

Cheers,
Chris

Thanks Chris .

 

[bootneck]

The only reason I can think that they wouldn't clear is time: I've done 48 brews (kits and Extract) and they've all cleared, some faster, some slower. A few developed chill haze when refridgerated.

These days, I move the brew into a secondary FV after 2-3 weeks, then place that in a cool place for a week or so: after that beer's almost clear, ready for bottling or kegging.

Thank you you have confirmed what I have read and I think I will put the brew into a second fv as you say after the hops have gone in and worked their magic.
I was going to extend the 5 days of hopping to 10-14 then onto secondary fv until clear then keg and try to keep the keg around 12 degrees.

 

[chastuck]

Are there any ways to make sure that your brew will clear .I'm talking using kits not full grain .
Any views ?

Try using Harris Beer Brite Finings. After the fermentation has finished, transfer to a new sterilised vessel avoiding air contamination (I use a silicon pipe from the fermenter tap to the bottom of the new vessel). Gently stir-in the Beer Brite, made up as directed, and leave for three days. Then decant to bottles or keg. Always amazes me how well Beer Brite works.

 

[bootneck]

Try using Harris Beer Brite Finings. After the fermentation has finished, transfer to a new sterilised vessel avoiding air contamination (I use a silicon pipe from the fermenter tap to the bottom of the new vessel). Gently stir-in the Beer Brite, made up as directed, and leave for three days. Then decant to bottles or keg. Always amazes me how well Beer Brite works.

Thank you for that I wasn't sure if you could use finings with kits

 

[thewelshwizard1]

Can't beat a bit of cloud in the ale adds to the taste :p

 

[thewelshwizard1]

Thank you for that I wasn't sure if you could use finings with kits

Wilko's own finings are very good and cheap at the mo :razz:

 

[bootneck]

Can't beat a bit of cloud in the ale adds to the taste :p

I tend to agree but , afraid vanity has meant that I want to show off my next brew to some friends one of whom is hyper critical, if it tastes like my last brew I have no worries on taste but I would like to be able to show a sparkling ale to a company it's taste.

 

[Hopping_Mad]

Bit of a newbie question this however, after bottling my rather cloudy Festival Golden Stag last night (...clearing pretty quickly in the conservatory already btw before I move it to garage in two weeks!), I resolved to stick the next kit in another vessel for a week prior to bottling, as suggested to help with the clearing process.

Does this leave enough yeast particles for decent secondary fermentation?

 

[chastuck]

Bit of a newbie question this however, after bottling my rather cloudy Festival Golden Stag last night (...clearing pretty quickly in the conservatory already btw before I move it to garage in two weeks!), I resolved to stick the next kit in another vessel for a week prior to bottling, as suggested to help with the clearing process.

Does this leave enough yeast particles for decent secondary fermentation?

Simple answer is yes. The beer may look absolutely clear but there will be enough yeast cells in suspension to ferment the priming sugar. If you stored it for three weeks or more I would start to worry.