12 replies to this topic

[3rd party JKor]

The problem isn't that my beer isn't clear, it's how long it took to get clear. I've been having a chill haze problem pretty much since I got back to brewing back in 2007. I haven't had what I would call a really clear beer until last year when I started using gelatin. Even then, all the beers haven't turned out clear. I brewed a blond 6 months ago with WLP001. I gelled it after I chilled it down to 35. I thought the gel improved the haze a bit but there was still a light haze. Recently, I pulled a glass off the keg and it was crystal. Now, I know I'm right at the end of the keg, so this keg has been sitting ~35 for almost 6 months and whatever was causing the haze had probably only settled a few inches in that time. I did the "right" things for clarity, I used whirlfloc+gelatin, I do a fast chill for a good break. If this is chill haze I'm not sure what to do next.Is this just the chill haze settling out? Does chill haze settle out? It makes sense that it would, but I don't recall hearing specific examples of this.

[MyaCullen]

I don't know about anyone else, but I usually have more sediment in my kegs when I clean them after they blow. I think some of the haze I get, as you get, is ultrafine sediment, and short of slicing a 1/2 inch off the liquid dip tube I think time or filtration are really the only practical solutions.Yes I use gelatin.

[Big Nake]

Could it be something in the makeup of your water, JK? I know I've been on a water kick lately, but some of the stuff I'm reading suggests that the right amount of calcium are important for clarity. Also, mash pH has an effect too. I made an amber ale that sat in secondary for 2 weeks and I just sent it to a keg yesterday. It had some gypsum added for "crispness" and that boosted the calcium level... it was one of the clearest beers I've seen in secondary. Not sure how it will look in the keg when it's cold, but fingers are crossed. As a clear beer freak, I'm looking beyond the whirfloc, gel, cold-conditioning a little and looking into mash pH and ion levels. If you get completely desperate over this, you could always look here.

[Humperdink]

CLIP YOUR NAILS YOU HIPPIE!

[Fatman]

Maybe try a different base malt? Or are you seeing the haze across a bunch of different varieties? The Pilsner and two-row I have right now clear easily, the Maris Otter, not so much.

[Big Nake]

the Maris Otter, not so much.

That sucks because I just ordered a bunch of it and my next few batches of various ales will be made with it. I better take some steps to get around that!

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

That sucks because I just ordered a bunch of it and my next few batches of various ales will be made with it. I better take some steps to get around that!

I don't know if that is necessarily the case. One of my clearest beers was an ESB that I recently made. It's not super clear yet but it's doing pretty well for such a young age.

[Fatman]

That sucks because I just ordered a bunch of it and my next few batches of various ales will be made with it. I better take some steps to get around that!

It may be the maltster as much as the variety - I've used Thomas Fawcett for my last 2 MO sacks (best I can do on price - from North Country). Or it just may be my evolving technique - I only got bit with the clarity bug middle of last year.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

It may be the maltster as much as the variety - I've used Thomas Fawcett for my last 2 MO sacks (best I can do on price - from North Country). Or it just may be my evolving technique - I only got bit with the clarity bug middle of last year.

same kind I use.

[Big Nake]

I ordered Crisp.JK: What was the base malt on the problem batches?

[3rd party JKor]

I haven't noticed a difference between the US 2-row and the MO, as far as clarity goes. The batch above was US 2-row from Canada Malting. I also added gypsum to get my calcium level up. I'm in the low-20s untreated. I treat it to at least 50 ppm.

[3rd party JKor]

CLIP YOUR NAILS YOU HIPPIE!

PFFT! All I need is some nail polish, then they'll look FABULOUS!

[Humperdink]

PFFT! All I need ith thome nail polith, then they'll look FABULOUSTHH!

FTFY