Cloudy Beer

General Homebrew Discussion
1

I just bottled my first batch over the weekend. The beer is much cloudier than I expected. The attenuation was also a little low.
As always, I did some research after the fact…(isn’t that how you do it?)  I think it is possible that I did not reach the “hot break”.  I never did get the real roiling boil as is described. My stove only gave it a light boil I would say. I never reached the point of foaming over of the pot. Not even close. Does this sound like a possible cause? Does anyone think that it will be drinkable after conditioning? As I was warned,  you learn a lt from your first batch. All comments are appreciated.

gcam

2

Was is extract or an All-Grain batch?

I wouldn’t worry about the cloudiness at this early juncture. :slight_smile:

3

Time will help it clear.  And hey, you made beer!

4

How long did it ferment before you bottled?

5

What was the recipe supposed to make?  If it’s a wheat, cloudy is expected.  I also agree with time as your answer.  Give time to carb and clear.

6

It was extract. Kept it in primary for 15 days. Whats the consensus on not reaching the hot break?

7

Yes a good hot break and cold break will mitigate the possibility of cloudiness in your beer.

As was said, time will help it clear.

8

Thanks for the help. I’m a newbie and I learned a lot on this batch. By the way it was an Amber Ale. I’ll definately cook on my fish cooker next batch instead of the stove top.  I’ll let you know in a few weeks how much it clears up.
gcam

9

Let it carbonate for 2 weeks and then try one. If they are carbonated you can put them in the fridge to speed the clearing.
RDWHAHB

10

Maybe a dumb question but did you late hop and or dry hop?  I’ve had a lot of cloudy beers over the last year and I think I’ve nailed it down to late hopping and definitely dry hopping.  I love the aroma and flavor from late and dry hopping but it makes my beer cloudy.  Just omitting the dry hops made a very noticeable difference.

11

I did do 1 oz @5min and 1 oz @2 min. I like the aroma also.

12

Did you use any Irish Moss?  This is added at the end of the boil and acts as a clarifying agent.

But keep in mind Allagash’s philosophy: Their beer is cloudy, but so is heaven!