Isinglass

[Jim]

Does anyone regularly use isinglass to fine their beer? I used it once or twice in the dim and distant past, but I can't remember how well it worked (it was pre-mixed stuff).

I got some Brupaks dried from H&G the other day, and mixed some last night - took about 5 minutes in the blender.

I'm just wondering if it should appear viscous or not when ready to add to the beer - mine doesn't look very viscous at all.


Also, has anyone ever added isinglass to the primary before racking. I can't think why that would be a problem, but no one ever seems to do it.

[Wez]

I've arranged to collect aux and isinglass finings from my local micro tomorrow, I had a chat with him about the fining process and he suggested the following:

1 - When fermentation finished chill as fast and as quickly as possible.
2 - After 24 hours of cooling add aux finings and leave for 4 -5 days.
3 - Transfer to keg and then add isinglass finings in the serving position.
4 - Isinglass should work within 24-48 hours, although longer will help smaller particles drop out. 13 degrees would be spot on.

I'm going to try that with my next brew.
[/quote]

I had a nightmare with the dried stuff couldn't get it to mix properly, looking forward to seeing what the stuff I get tomorrow is like.

[Jim]

Look forward to hearing about it, Wez.

Re the mixing process, I started with a hand whisk, and after about 5 minutes bugger all had happened - the bits were still floating about in it - so I bit the bullet and sanitised the blender and stuck it in there. That did the trick.

[Jim]

..........Are you having problems with the RW yeast? It should drop star bright without finings.

Not at all - it's still fermenting in the primary (just starting to abate, as the temperature's fallen by about a degree since Friday). Just thinking ahead, cos I want to bottle say half a dozen pints from this batch.

Plus I was in Hop and Grape last week and saw it on the shelf. John served me, despite the fact that he was due to fly to Italy that night for a trade fair - that's dedication for you!

[Aleman]

The Murphy's ready mixed finings is pretty liquid to be honest. If you are using isinglass its generally useful to do a series of test to determine how much to add.

1) Draw off 6 Half Pints
2) to the first 1/2 add 1ml
3) And 2ml to the next
4) Add 3ml to the next
5) Add 5ml to the next
6) Add 6ml to the next

Allow the beers to stand, what you are looking for is a beer that drops bright quickly with a tight sediment, rather than a loose fluffy one.

This corresponds to Murphys dosage rates of 1-6 pints per BBL so just scale it back to your brew length

[DRB]

I have used aux in primary left a 3 days racked to secondary then added isinglass a day or two before bottling, as daab said it goes fluffy and unstable in the bottle but what I do now is only add the aux, it clears pretty good and you don't get the unstableness in the bottle.

[johnmac]

Isinglass works well. Brupaks isinglass paste is the best IMO.

[Jim]

Ta for the replies.

I'll probably skip the fining for this batch and see how it goes. I can always fine in the barrel if I have problems.

[oblivious]

Has anyone used Harris Beer brite Finings?

[johnmac]

Has anyone used Harris Beer brite Finings?

Yes, they didn't appear to make any difference.

[oblivious]

Has anyone used Harris Beer brite Finings?

Yes, they didn't appear to make any difference.

OK, but ts good stuff to use?


and do you know can you natural condition with it?

[johnmac]

Plus point: It's easy to store - compact, long shelf life.

Minus points: Expensive, difficult to mix, doesn't work (maybe it's just me).

Don't know about conditioning. And if you go on another forum, it's the best thing since sliced bread, according to some unbiased opinion

[Aleman]

Which fining agent Beer Brite or isinglass? . . . . the Murphy's RFU isinglass is superb. I've not tried the brupaks stuff as it requires careful handling and It won't get that in the post

[Ianb]

I found the Brupaks paste a PITA to mix, taking 15 minutes in the good old kenwood chef, however that made up 2 litres.

At the end of primary fermentation, I drop the temperature as low as I can get it (c. 1-2c) for 24 hours minimum, rack to cornie and add reconstitiuted isinglass at just under half a pint to a cornie.

Usually this gives star bright beers after 24-48 hours.

It's just a shame it's so flippin' expensive!!!!

[iowalad]

Speaking of Murphy's they have some general info on finnings along with other technical info that may be of some use: http://www.murphyandson.co.uk/BrewingAr ... sIndex.htm