Bentonite for clearing beer?

[ChrisG]

I have quite a lot of bentonite left over from wine making and wondered if you can use it to clear beer?

Any thoughts?

[maxashton]

I wouldn't, personally.

[Manx Guy]

Its a form of clay I think...?

I know its not widely used (if at all) in beer making, but what makes it 'unsuitable'?

I know the favoured finning agents are isinglass or gelatin (with or with out auxillary finnings) its likely to be because isiglass etc are better at finning beer...

But I wonder if there would be any 'off flavours' or other negative effects of using bentonite to fine beer prior to casking?

Guy

[EoinMag]

A quick google produces:

Bentonite will clear your beer almost as effectively as isinglass but it has a few draw backs. Firstly bentonite indiscriminately absorbs peptides. This isn't a problem for wine makers but in beer it results in severely diminished foam retention. Secondly, as already mentioned,it produces a huge amount of slurry and needs very thorough preparation to work effectively. Also using bentonite may increase alminium and/or sodium levels in your finished beer.

http://www.probrewer.com/vbulletin/show ... php?t=9213

[Manx Guy]

A quick google produces:

Bentonite will clear your beer almost as effectively as isinglass but it has a few draw backs. Firstly bentonite indiscriminately absorbs peptides. This isn't a problem for wine makers but in beer it results in severely diminished foam retention. Secondly, as already mentioned,it produces a huge amount of slurry and needs very thorough preparation to work effectively. Also using bentonite may increase alminium and/or sodium levels in your finished beer.

http://www.probrewer.com/vbulletin/show ... php?t=9213

No head retention that IS a negatiove effect..

Nice work Eoinmag!



Guy

[ChrisG]

oh well thats that answered, cheers guys!