Dried Isinglass Preparation

Adeptus · Post by **Adeptus** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:30 pm

Hi All,

Up to now I've never had to use finings, but I've used US-05 for the first time on a recent brew, and it just ain't clearing, even after 12 days sitting in a secondary.

I made up a dried isinglass solution last night according to the instructions (500ml water with 1 tsp finings) and whisked away, but it just isn't making an homogenous solution. Bits all over the bottom of it. I kind of expected a paste to develop.

Is there something wrong with the technique, or is it just a pain in the arse to use? Also, should beer be used instead of water?

Should I just forget it and go get some gelatine in the supermarket?

I can't believe it doesn't affect the taste too! Stinks like really dodgy cheese

Adeptus · Post by **Adeptus** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:19 pm

3 days. Bloody hell!

I'll give it a whizz with a hand blender and see if it improves things. But should it get at least some sort of pastey consistancy? I just seem to have a slightly hazy water with flakes in it.

steve_flack · Post by **steve_flack** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:28 pm

Adeptus wrote: I just seem to have a slightly hazy water with flakes in it.

That's what I got when I tried it - useless stuff.

If I need isinglass I get it ready made from a local microbrewery when I pick up some malt. I guess as you're in Ireland that isn't really an option for you?

The homebrew shops here now do an Isinglass paste - maybe that's easier to make up than the flakes?

Link

Adeptus · Post by **Adeptus** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:39 pm

There are a couple of micros (read brew pubs) nearby, (Porterhouse, Mssr Maguires etc) but they don't tend to deal with home brewers. Although I've never tried!

I was looking at the pre-made liquid Isinglass when I orderd this stuff, but foolishly thought my cash would be better spent on the cheaper dried stuff.

A friend has offered some beerbrite finings which I think I will try as I want to do this ASAP with a view of bottling on Sunday or early next week.

Kinda puts me off Safale US-05 at the moment too as it was also the first time I used that dried yeast!

steve_flack · Post by **steve_flack** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:50 pm

I've used it a couple of times but not really had a problem with it settling out - it's much slower than S-04 that's for sure but it does settle out reasonably well.

On the other hand, you're not the first person to say you've had problems with it.

Adeptus · Post by **Adeptus** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:04 pm

How long have you been leaving it to drop out by the way? Up to now anything I've used has dropped out within 2 weeks in a secondary (I secondary to help clear as I bottle. No cornys yet!), even medium floc yeasts, but this is something different

steve_flack · Post by **steve_flack** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:39 pm

A couple of weeks and it's been clear enough - it's taken a bit longer to look polished but I haven't used finings with US-56 yet.

ColinKeb · Post by **ColinKeb** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:46 pm

why use finnings rather than gelatine then? I cant understand why people go through all that hassle when gelatine will do the job just as well , or have i got it wrong?

Adeptus · Post by **Adeptus** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:51 pm

No idea mate. Never had to use anything before, but got isinglass just in case as it seemed to be "the thing people use". Hence the question in my first post: "Should I just forget it and go get some gelatine in the supermarket?"

ColinKeb · Post by **ColinKeb** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:55 pm

its a great choice isnt it ; shredded fish stomache or calfs feet ! may be the finnings get rid of more haze if its there? ive never had any problems with gelatine but ive never used wheat or anything

steve_flack · Post by **steve_flack** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:56 pm

ColinKeb wrote:why use finnings rather than gelatine then? I cant understand why people go through all that hassle when gelatine will do the job just as well , or have i got it wrong?

Because isinglass is better. If gelatine worked just as well the breweries and their suppliers wouldn't waste their time extracting swim bladders from fish.

Adeptus · Post by **Adeptus** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:58 pm

ColinKeb wrote: its a great choice isnt it ; shredded fish stomache or calfs feet ! may be the finnings get rid of more haze if its there? ive never had any problems with gelatine but ive never used wheat or anything

Sounds like a choice at a typical wedding meal: "Beef or Salmon?"

Adeptus · Post by **Adeptus** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:07 pm

Have any of you tried the Harris Beer Brite finings?

ColinKeb · Post by **ColinKeb** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:10 pm

aha, i might give it a try next time i order some stuff. mind you the description of a cheesy smell has put me off a bit

Adeptus · Post by **Adeptus** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:12 pm

I did use warm water, which probably made the smell worse. The paste is probably less stinky.

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Dried Isinglass Preparation

Dried Isinglass Preparation