Clearing Agents

[Ronthered]

Anyone ever use Super-Kleer K.C. to clear a beer? It is supposed to clear a 5 gallon batch in 24-to-48 hours to a brilliant clarity.
I just want to know if anyone has used it and thinks it either works great, or messes with the flavor or aroma? And if you have used it, can you keg or bottle right after it clears or do you have to wait a week or two?

[Redweasel]

I tried it once and it did not seem to do squat. I use gelatin from time to time and have had good results.

[Ronthered]

ok, well I guess all I can do is try it. I guess I'll update and let everyone know if it worked for me or not. thanks

[DrunkenSatyr]

Sorry, I use low temp and time to clear all my brews.

[Evan!]

I've used KC superkleer twice and both times it's worked great. I can't see how gelatin would work better, considering that it's the same concept, except that shellfish finings are a much better version. There's a item on it in the Homebrewer's Answer Book.

I also use extended cold-crashing like DS. Works wonders.

[Ronthered]

I usually do very long cold conditioning, which works great for me, I just needed to get this clear in less than a week for a competition, thats all.

[Evan!]

I usually do very long cold conditioning, which works great for me, I just needed to get this clear in less than a week for a competition, thats all.

then go with KC. Redweasel might not have had good luck with it once, but I have had two good experiences with it. From Mr. Wizard:


A more active approach to yeast removal is to use a fining agent, such as isinglass. Isinglass finings are a very pure form of collagen and are derived from fish swim bladders. When hydrated in an acid buffer solution the collagen protein becomes positively charged. Add this solution to beer and the collagen acts like a big net to bind yeast cells and drag them to the bottom of the fermenter. There are some isinglass preparations available today that are treated with the acid buffer, then dried. They can simply be re-hydrated in water to make preparation easier. I have always wondered how this practice got started!

Isinglass and Gelatin both do the same thing, like I said---they use that charged collagen 'net' to grab cells as the 'net' settles. Isinglass is just a more pure form of collagen than gelatin and works better/faster.

I have a suspicion that redweasel may have either not mixed his correctly or, more likely, there were other issues at play here. I doubt he did a side-by-side comparison with the same batch in two vessels...and scientifically speaking, there is no reason that, all other things being equal, isinglass should be less effective than gelatin.

[Ronthered]

sweet deal, Now all I'm wondering about is at this all keg competion, do I put a warning on my tap about shellfish allergys seeing as how the super-kleer is derived from shellfish, and there is a warning on the package.....seems like just a friendly thing to maybe do, or not, I would hate to have lower scores because some idiot thinks that makes it not to style. This is kind of a moral issue I guess. I mean what if someone actually had a reaction. that would suck. but then again they couldnt really know that it was my beer unless it was an instant reaction..........hummmmm. Right now I'm leaning towards having the warning. Only seems right

[DrunkenSatyr]

Use the good old stand by, 'This product was made in an environment that also handles shellfish and or nuts or byproducts there of"

[poops4president]

I agree with DS

[Evan!]

I try not to handle my nuts while I'm brewing or handling stuff that will touch the beer, but I know the temptation can get the better of you sometimes.

[Ronthered]

just talk around the issue then huh..... sounds good, I'll find a warning like that from a restaurant and make it look humerous. then at least its out there. Dont want to be responsible for someone who stops breathing and all. that could really shit on an otherwise good day.

[Ronthered]

I try not to handle my nuts while I'm brewing or handling stuff that will touch the beer, but I know the temptation can get the better of you sometimes.


seriously, when you have an hour or more during your mash and or boil, what else is there to do besides play with your nutz. I mean, I would have the wife do it, But she cant stand the smell of making beer so she usually vacates when I'm brewing. I guess I could take on a brew partner.... make them (I mean her) do it. keeps my hands free then at least.

[poops4president]

she prefers the smell of balls of beers? wow that my friend is a keeper! I have to be fresh out the shower!

[Ronthered]

I wish. On those two notes alone I should have ran 6 years ago

[Ronthered]

So I pitched the super-Kleer yesterday evening.. This morning it seems to have helped some, I'll have to check back at the 24 and 48 hour marks and see if it did its full job

[DrunkenSatyr]

Cool. hope it works out well for ya!

[Redweasel]

Cool. Yeah, I only used it once. There were several other faults in the beer that could have caused it not to work. (and if I remember correctly I did not stir too well.)

[Ronthered]

well I kegged said beer tonight. it was pretty damn clear for a beer that wasn't cold conditioned. Not crystal, but not cloudy by any means. I just hope getting it cold now wont fog it up to bad.

[DrunkenSatyr]

*cross fingers*