• Welcome to the new forum! We upgraded our forum software with a host of new boards, capabilities and features. It is also more secure.
    Jump in and join the conversation! You can learn more about the upgrade and new features here.

using gelatin as packaging finings

MaltLicker

Forum Moderator
Grandmaster Brewer
Joined
Aug 25, 2008
Messages
2,004
Reaction score
0
I looked into this recently and did it on this ESB I'm rushing to bottle.  The various posts and articles I found were fairly divergent in their process tips and amounts to use. 

If you use gelatin successfully as the last measure before packaging, would you please post your amounts and process here?  Thx.
 
I have successfully used 1 packet, which is about 1 tablespoon in a 5 gallon  batch. I would suggest you boil the water for 20 min before you add the gelatin, I have had infections using gelatin without boiling the water first. It is pretty much a common practice for me now. I use the Knox unflavored and it has worked well for me.

Cheers
Preston
 
here is an interesting little primer
http://www.byo.com/stories/wizard/article/section/121-mr-wizard/1687-would-fining-with-gelatin-have-an-adverse-effect-on-naturally-conditioned-beer
I found the part about  having to learn which fining works well or not so well with you specific yeasts to be interesting as well as the cautionary about using some flocculants  in bottling as opposed to casks or kegs.
 
Wow!  CR's research brings a lot to the table!! 

We haven't done a lot of high gravity, high temp mash beers. Early on, Like Preston at Useless Brewing, we used Knox unflavored. To be honest, we didn't precieve any benefit so we have eliminated it from our current process. We believe that our typical house brews at OG 1.050 and mash temps between 148*F to 154*F, haven't required clarification. They are simple beers, all malt, no roast or black malts.

We are not real keen on the silica in Polyclar etc, and aren't sure we want the prep for isinglass. So when we made our specials, high gravity, lots of body, beers, for holidays and special occasions, we used the Knox just to be sure.

Preston
 
Back
Top