Ask The Brewmasters

  • 1.  Vegatarian options

    Posted 01-21-2020 14:01
    We are looking to switch over from gelatin finings prior to filtration to a vegetarian friendly option. We currently use 20 oz of gelatin for a 30 bbll filter run dosed a day or two prior at 32F. We run through a plate and frame filter at 700 microns.

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    Thomas Woods
    Head Brewer
    Defiant Brewing Co
    Pearl River NY
    (845) 920-8602
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  • 2.  RE: Vegatarian options

    Posted 01-22-2020 12:51
    Thomas,
    I use Biofine Clear A3. from Brewers Supply. Made by Kerry.


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    Jeff Lockhart
    Head Brewer
    Dueces Wild Brewery
    Colorado Springs CO
    (719) 394-4811
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Vegatarian options

    Posted 01-23-2020 16:47
    Just a couple comments to add in here:
    Most likely you are using a 700 pad which is actually 7 microns nominal, not 700. None the less, 7 microns is not fine enough to remove yeast (ale or lager), will allow quite a few proteins to pass through, as well as some other small particles that could be in your beer. I have never been a fan of finings, and found them only to be helpful with particularly stubborn yeast strains, or for some hop/protein issues. If you are using at least a medium flocculating yeast strain, and cold crash to 32 degrees several days prior to filtration, the 7 micron pads are probably not going to do anything more than trap any larger hop particles that might be in there. You can get completely clear beer with a 2 to 3 micron filter pad with or without the finings, and if you are insistent on using finings, I would recommend a bag filter as a pre-filter before your plate and frame to get any large particles or finings out first.
    My overall suggestion would be to skip finings entirely, go to a more flocculant yeast strain, or use a tighter filter pad (K200 - K300). If you want the haze, or some yeast, go to a partial filtration/partial transfer method to achieve desired results.

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    Brett Kintzer
    Brewmaster
    Swashbuckler Brewing Co.
    Reinholds PA
    (484) 755-0265
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Vegatarian options

    Posted 01-22-2020 20:41
    Depending on your comfort level with rehydration, you have a few options... Or one. 

    Xerogel - Dry silica (less potent). Requires rehydration to use properly
    Hydrogel - Dry silica (more potent). Requires rehydration to use properly
    Silica Sol - Liquid Silica. Ready to use, though dilution recommended. Note: Can freeze if temps get below 40 F this will destroy the product. 
    PVPP - Charged plastic. Requires rehydration to use properly
    Tannins - Gallotannins. Requires rehydration to use properly

    I am using the generic names for these products, there are "tradenames" that might be more familiar. 

    Silica & Tannins generally work on the "haze sensitive" protein fraction in your beer. PVPP generally works on the Polyphenols. 

    These can be used individually or combined in various ways to get good settling and clearing. These aren't as potent as gelatin, so you will probably have to change your processes around a bit. Also, all of them are significantly more expensive than gelatin...

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    Jason McCammon
    Technical Sales & Product Specialist
    ATP Group
    Denver, CO
    720-788-1222
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