Clearing beer for kegging

[Gastronaut]

Hello all,

I've just moved on to corni's and have been having trouble with getting the beer to clear. I've just racked my latest brew into a pressure barrel, and although it's fermented right out it's very hazy, and looks like there's still lots of yeast in suspension. I need to make sure it goes into the corni as bright as possible as it's going to be transported to my wedding venue (so no pressure then!) the day before my wedding on June 30th. I was planning on leaving it in the barrel until the last moment to give it as much chance to clear as possible, but wondered if anyone has any advice?

Many thanks,

Andy

[delboy]

Get it into a fridge if possible, the cold temps will help with yeast flocculation and protein haze, ie the proteins come out of solution and over time sediment on the bottom of the barrel allowing an ice cold pint (if thats your thing) to be poured which is crystal clear

[Gastronaut]

Thanks Delboy, will do. Can anyone suggest particularly good finings and the correct procedure for usage as well just in case?

Andy

[mysterio]

Fresh isinglass has worked well for me in the past, there's no golden rule on the dosing as it depends on the beer but I've found two teaspoons per gallon has worked well most of the time. Note i've only tried fresh isinglass that is stored cool, so I can't vouch for the dry stuff.

If you can't be bothered with seeking out isinglass, a sachet of unflavoured gelatin heated gently until dissolved, stirred slowly into the beer also works well.

[Gastronaut]

Thanks - is that one sachet of gelatine per 5 gallon brew?

Andy

[Gastronaut]

Thanks DaaB - so, ideally a couple of days before kegging add the isinglass and fridge the beer and all should be OK?

Andy

[Gastronaut]

Even better! Refrigerating it was going to be tricky. On the day I was just going to drop the corni into a bin / bucket with some iced water. We're serving the beer immediately after the ceremony (conveniently getting married in a pub) so I'm hoping it won't last long.

Thanks again,

Andy

[Gastronaut]

<I'm hoping it won't last long>

The beer that is, not the ceremony - honest!!

[delboy]

Even better! Refrigerating it was going to be tricky. On the day I was just going to drop the corni into a bin / bucket with some iced water. We're serving the beer immediately after the ceremony (conveniently getting married in a pub) so I'm hoping it won't last long.

Thanks again,

Andy

There is a very good chance chilling it on the day will cause a chill haze, just so you are aware, its completely cosmetic and doesn't affect the beer but it might well put off some punters used to commercial fizzy pop beer.
I have 6 cornies 5 which i dispense through a flash chiller, these just sit at ambient temperature of the shed, when chilled they take on a hazy look (chill haze).
My sixth corny sits in a fridge, ice cold golden ale etc comes out of this crystal clear beacuse its been stored at the same temp as its served at.

One or two of the cornies sitting in the shed do pour reasonably clear when chilled but these are the 'old timers' who have been there quite a while.
But thats just my experience yours may differ.
Good luck with the wedding and i hope the guests enjoy your beer.