To fine or not to fine? « Brew UK Forum

To fine or not to fine?

2 years ago | Greg (Admin)

Other than Irish Moss in the boil, Up to now I have always avoided finning my beer as I usually find it drops crystal clear within a few weeks.

The Tawny Owl ale I made a few weeks ago is tasting really nice but still a bit cloudy and as I wanted to drink it over the festive period I decided to help it along with some gelatine which I added yesterday.

What is the general opinion with regard to finnings and if you do which do you all use?

Planning:Maybe a lager.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning

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Responses

Tony:

Posted 2 years ago by Member

I only ever use Irish Moss. I bought some finings a while back just to have in reserve, but I've never used them.

I'm sold on bottle conditioning so quite used to cloudy beer - or at least on a good day, some bits in the bottom of the glass, so it never bothers me. I'd rather have cloudy beer than tip too much of it down the sink. Read quite a lot on the effect on taste of using finings, but never having used them, I really can't comment - the flip side of that coin is that I've never had a pint taste worse because it has a few bits in the bottom. T.E.A (of the dew bottle-conditioned beers available off the shelf) tastes absolutely wonderful - bits and all!

I think that a clear beer is just a matter of taste .. or rather it isn't :o)

Beer will get you through the times of no money better than money will get you through the times of no beer
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)

Greg:

Posted 1 year ago by Admin

I think I'm going to give gelantine a miss from now on. Not only is it made from parts of animals that I would rather not consume, I also find that my beers seems to be crystal clear without.

2 out of the 4 recent brews had gelatine added and 2 are cystal clear and 2 are not but one had gelatine, one didn't. So basically the gelatine hasn't really made any difference.

I'm sticking to Irish Moss only from now on.

Planning:Maybe a lager.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning

Tony:

Posted 1 year ago by Member

Did you use Irish Moss in the brews you used gelantine in?

I wonder if Kate Moss would rent herself out?

Beer will get you through the times of no money better than money will get you through the times of no beer
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)

Greg:

Posted 1 year ago by Admin

I'm not sure she would have the desired effect in the boiler!

I did use Irish Moss. Both the beers that haven't cleared were higher ABV so I guess this probably has something to do with it. One's the forum brew, Rocker, which is getting there but still a little murky. Its very alcoholic though, over 6%.

Planning:Maybe a lager.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning

Tony:

Posted 1 year ago by Member

Yes, mine is the same. I had another one last night and its tasting good ... but still a little cloudy. Still only been in the bottle for a week though.

I always feel that 1 teaspoon of Irish Moss just can't do the job in a gallon brew but I've never exceeded that.

Beer will get you through the times of no money better than money will get you through the times of no beer
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)

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