So first off, let me say that I know that cloudy beer is perfectly fine. I have no issues with it. But…
I find that when I give someone a beer that isn’t used to homebrew, the fact that it is often a bit hazy, maybe not actually cloudy but certainly not brilliant can impact their perception of the beer. I often use either gelatin or biofine but I still find that my beer isn’t really as clear as I’d like it to be. So, I’m thinking of investing into a filter system. How many of you actually filter your beer and if so, what system do you use and like best?
Thanks
I have one of those white plastic hexagon shaped plate filters. I’m not a fan… Sometimes I get a cardboard flavor out of it despite running a bunch of sanitizer through it for awhile to strip out that cardboard flavor. I have a canister filter as well but I have yet to use it… I bought it to use with my vaccum pump for meads/wines but I don’t really see why it wouldn’t also get the job done for my beer… I do plan on testing it this week… So I guess we’ll see
Maybe we should review your gelatin process. Because I get brilliantly clear beers using gelatin.
Picture of a fermenter~5 gallons
My process is as follows:
Cool beer to 32-33f let rest a day or 2. (I do this in the fermenter)
Prepare gelatin: I use 1-2 tsp dissolved in 1 cup of water. I let that sit on the counter top for 30-45 minutes, you should not see any gelatin granules anymore. Heat in microwave until mixture gets to 170. Then I stir for a little bit to make sure everything is homogeneous. Add to beer, stir gently, and do not disturb trub at the bottom. Pull sample 2-3 days alter to confirm clarity, rack to keg, carbonate.
I have had bad luck with all other filtering means…
I do something similar. Gelatin in water, heated in microwave, stir, stir, stir.
Difference is I do it I’m the keg because I try to reuse yeast a lot.
I do find I seem to get sediment when I siphon no matter how careful I am.
Ok then let me ask you this…
Are you adding as you rack to keg(from fermentation temperature)? Or are you adding when the keg has been sitting in the fridge for a day or 2?
My guess is you are filtering the trub with the gelatin, but the beer is not cold enough to bring out the chill haze before the gelatin drops.
FWIW, I add it to the keg, after crashing for a couple days. I wait 2 or three days after adding the gelatin, pump out the dropped yeast/sediment and it’s clear until it kicks.
I do it. You can use canister filter and reusable cartridge. You can buy them from water filter supplier. Buy pleaded cartridge. Size 10" X 2.5" should be fine for 15 gallons. Cartridges are rated not nominal so 1 micron is fine. You could also try 5 micron if this is too tight.
You need to have two kegs and use CO2 to push cold beer thru the filter.
I would use gelatin, but it smells nasty and I don’t like where it comes from. I just let the beer sit 2-4 weeks until it clears. I do have some gelatin still, maaaaaaaaaybe I’ll give it a try again. Maybe.
I bought one of these about a year ago for the same reason as the OP. However, it’s still unopened in the box. I have a Pilsner lagering right now, and depending on how that turns out, we may use the filter for the first time.
To answer the question “what’s best”. My vote is the Buon Vino Super Jet. I have used this model for about three years now. Designed for filtering wine and works great for beer. Self priming pump makes it quick and easy to use. Minimal beer loss.
I like using this filter on my light colored beer - Belgian Golden Strong and Belgian Triple.
I keg most of my beer. To my palate I can taste quite a difference in the 1st, 6th and 12th glass of beer coming out of my kegs. Despite using Supermass HB and Biofine Clear, the bottom of the keg always had significant residue. The dip tube picks up some of this residue and taints the flavor in my beer. Others may not notice but I certainly can tell. With filtering there is only a very thin, paint like residue on the bottom. The beer is considerable more homogenous in flavor from start to finish. The things we do in search of perfection…
The hexagon filter gives a cardboard flavor due to oxidation of the beer. The filter is introducing 02 after fermentation is complete. You can’t wash it out. My only suggestion is to put it in some form of a container and fill the container with CO2 in order to provide a blanket from O2, being that CO2 has an extra carbon atom, making it heavier than air.