Bottling a bright beer

[HantsGaz]

Hello All,

Just wondering what do here. I want my Muntons Gold Continental Pilsner to fall bright before bottling (to avoid yeast in the bottles). It’s currently in a secondary and I intend to force carbonate. The gravity has been constant for four days and want the best method for getting the lager to fall bright without compromising taste or risking oxidation/it going off.

So, I'm thinking of putting the secondary outside for a few days to see if that drops the yeast, if not - could I add finings? My hesitation is that it's sealed at the moment and as soon as I add finings I'll be allowing O2 in and I don’t want to risk oxidation as there will be no way to purge the headroom at the top of the secondary afterwards. So, what’s the most advisable method – outside in the cold to drop the yeast or just go for finings? Or should I just leave the secondary where it is and wait for it to go bright….?

Two more questions:

(1) As I am going to force carbonate, is there any point in resting the bottles for the first week of conditioning in a warm environment or shall I just leave them in the cold garage to condition?

(2) When is it best to force carbonate? At bottling or can I leave it until I'm ready to drink?

Many thanks, Gaz.

[HantsGaz]

2) It might be worth allowing it to clear before carbonating as the carbonic acid is said to hinder the maturation process, the co2 bubbles may also hinder clearing.

Hi - I'm attempting to get the beer bright in the secondary before bottling - so if I understand what you are saying re carbonic acid hindering maturation - then I should bottle the bright beer, leave it to mature and then carbonate when ready to drink... Is that right? Sorry for the clarification!

[HantsGaz]

Hmm, you might be convincing me to bottle as normal. I'd just like to try and do away with yeast in the bottle! I hate ditching those couple of extra mouthfuls at the bottom of the bottle .

Thanks for the advice.

[HantsGaz]

Time for a Cornie I reckon....