European Lager Smelling And Tasting Great! One Query Though.

[j_shell84]

Hey all!

would there be any point in adding finings to an extrat brew? A Coopers European Lager brew to be precise! i seem to remember reading something about finings being useless for extracts. If this is not the case, is it Just as simple as dropping it in a day before bottling?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks

 

[jonocarroll]

I'm willing to stand corrected on this, but I've used finings in K&K without problems. There's still protein and yeast to settle out. Makes nice clear beer. Just make sure you aren't planning on moving the fermenter after you've added finings.

I can't see why it would be a problem. Good luck. :icon_cheers:

 

[j_shell84]

Thanks Quantum, I'll see how i go. :beerbang:

 

[datman510]

i dont think its necessary, but ive also daunk a lot tonight so it may also be necessary. hope this helps.

 

[j_shell84]

Ha thanks larry,

Just added the finings, that airlock really goes off doesn't it.

Guess i'll wait and see what happens.

Thanks again guys. will let you know what it turns out like.

 

[datman510]

i was kind of joking, except for the drinking too much thing tonihgt

 

[under]

I have used it once. Seemed to work pretty good. And yeah, the airlock bubbles for a little.

I found it easier to rack to secondary. It clears the beer up great. Every beer I now produce is crystal.

 

[j_shell84]

i was kind of joking, except for the drinking too much thing tonihgt

Fair enough! what ya drinkin? one of your own?

 

[datman510]

nah i went down to the local brewery (coldstream brewery) nice lager there, i would offer advise but its bad enough when im sober h34r: i had a fun night though......... BRING ON THE SICKIE!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[j_shell84]

Nice one mate, enjoy tomorrow :icon_drool2: take it easy.

 

[datman510]

Nice one mate, enjoy tomorrow :icon_drool2: take it easy.

your dog looks cool as...... restepa

 

[Bribie G]

double post hit wrong key. oops.

 

[Bribie G]

I often used gelatine finings with Kit brews and would make a further suggestion: Most Kit beers are meant to be drunk ice cold but (and especially if you are using Light dried malt extract as an adjunct or doing a partial mash as well) they can chuck a nasty chill haze. So I personally use polyclar as well and have ended up with some really nice clear kits and partial brews.

My personal schedule is:

Primary fermentation about a week or depending on recipe
Rack into secondary for a few days.
Chill right down and add gelatine finings.
Two days later, add polyclar as per instructions to the cold beer (should have dropped nearly all its yeast by then)
Three days later raise to room temp and bottle or keg.

It's a lot of faffing around but here's a piccie of a beer done with a partial mash and a can of Coopers Lager, and this picture is taken actually on bottling day itself.


Yes and it did carb up surprisingly quickly :icon_cheers:

 

[brettprevans]

Most Kit beers are meant to be drunk ice cold

.

Im sorry man but IMO thats utter crap. you can make great tasting beers from kits or kits and bits that dont need to be drunk ice cold. you just need to be a half decent brewer.

using Light dried malt extract as an adjunct or doing a partial mash....they can chuck a nasty chill haze.

any method of brewing CAN produce chill haze. thats why you can use finnigs, polycar, insglass etc on any type of beer regardless of method. Is it worth it? thats a personal preference. I couldnt give a toss if my beer has a chill haze or not, it tastes exactly the same. If I was going for long term storage or competitions then yeh Id use finnings of some sort. personal preference. plenty of people use finnings. so its sort of up to you as to why your wanting an ultra clear beer.

 

[j_shell84]

Just bottled the lager!

Came out beautifully! All bottles apart from the last two or three were crystal clear.

Thanks for all the input.

Cheers!

 

[Jase71]

Keep in mind that Bribie was drinking too, that picture of his cola bottle is in fact a urine sample. Big Bladders up in Qld !

 

[Bribie G]

What I meant about the ice cold wasn't that the manufacturers stated in the instructions to chill the guts out of the beer, I referred rather to the fact that ppl starting off brewing will probably want to make a brew that is like what they are so far used to. Until they find out better, of course. This, being Australia, involves chilling to pub temperatures etc and lets face it at those temperatures anything will be drinkable .. just let a bottle of TED warm up to 12 degrees and taste it :icon_vomit:

Even after three months some of my early kit + LDME brews are clear as a bell when warm but shocking when cold.

Was just my take on my experience so far.