Irish Moss

[JustBri]

Hiccup!!

I use only kits atm, so i may be jumping the gun a little, i've been looking at the different kinds of finings on the market, and the one that has caught my attention the most is Irish Moss, this is because it is vegetarian. I know that finings are used to help speed up the clearing process, but from what i have read, finings are normally added in the final 10-15 minutes of the wort boiling. Now this is why i'm making this post, as i'm not an AG brewer, i have a few questions about finings and brewkits.

Can Finings be added to brewkits?
If so at what stage?
Is Irish Moss a suitable fining for Kits, and how would i add it?

Thanks

JB
:drink: :drink: :drink:

 

[Samarith]

Finings are usually added at the end of the brew process. They collect all the crud floating in a semi clear brew and drag it to the bottom of the container.

For beers, you add before kegging/bottling and either leave it until fully clear (if you're force carbonating the beer) or transfer while still a bit cloudy (if priming beer).

For wines its much the same. Add after ferment and degassing and let it clear for still wines or add and bottle slighty cloudy for fizzy wines.


Benonite is a clay fining, so its veggy friendly.

 

[jamesb]

Irish moss is not suitable for adding to kits. It is used at the end of the boiling for grain brewing to bring together and drop out the proteins. You'll want some finings to clear the yeast. I haven't got any experience in veggie friendly finings though sorry.

 

[31bb3]

someone once told me egg shells work as finings i may be incorrect and it may be against veggie principles

 

[jamesb]

I've heard that too. Don't fancy it myself though.

 

[TLServices]

Irish Moss, or caragheenan, is a copper finings as previously said...however isinglass is 'technically' okay for vegetarians as it doesn't remain in the beer once it has done its job.

There was a lot of discussion about this a few years ago I recall, between the food labelling authorities and the major brewers and that was the conclusion.