Too much Irish Moss

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by gongfu, Aug 29, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. gongfu

    gongfu Devotee (339) Mar 30, 2011 Connecticut

    What is effect of too much irish moss in the fermenter? Accidentally dumped about 3/4 oz in 5 gal.!
     
  2. mnstorm99

    mnstorm99 Initiate (0) May 11, 2007 Minnesota

    Did you put it in the fermenter? Or, did you put it in the boil?
     
  3. spartan1979

    spartan1979 Pundit (946) Dec 29, 2005 Missouri

    Irish Moss should be added to the boil, not the fermenter. As long as it doesn't introduce an infection, I would think it would have much impact on the beer in the fermenter. I suppose it could introduce a slight off-flavor, but I never really paid attention to see if Irish Moss has any flavor.
     
  4. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    It tastes like seaweed when you put it to the tongue. My guess would be that you don't taste it in the beer because of hops and volumes. Maybe too much would give a dank flavor.
     
  5. gongfu

    gongfu Devotee (339) Mar 30, 2011 Connecticut

    In the boil (sorry).
     
  6. mugs1789

    mugs1789 Initiate (0) Dec 6, 2005 Maryland

    Probably nothing. I suspect most beers are very forgiving of misusing Irish Moss, unless you're buying it by the pound.

    Anyhow, you're supposed to measure Irish Moss? I typically shake some from the bottle to the bottle cap so that the IM covers the bottom of the bottle cap.
     
  7. chocosushi

    chocosushi Initiate (0) May 1, 2011 Oklahoma

    Sorry to bump an old ass thread,
    but I accidentally added a tablespoon to a 3 gallon batch in the last 15 minutes...
    am I royally fucked?
     
  8. WickedSluggy

    WickedSluggy Savant (1,093) Nov 21, 2008 Texas

    I wouldn't worry about it. Unlikely that you'll be able to taste it.
     
  9. JimSmetana

    JimSmetana Initiate (0) May 11, 2012 Illinois

    Excuse the noob but what does "Irish moss" do exactly?

    Saw the thread and got curious.
     
  10. WickedSluggy

    WickedSluggy Savant (1,093) Nov 21, 2008 Texas

    Irish moss Helps facilitate cold break.
     
  11. MADhombrewer

    MADhombrewer Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2008 Oregon

    Helps in clarity of the beer.
     
  12. harsley

    harsley Maven (1,261) Jun 16, 2005 Massachusetts

    It helps clear your beer of proteins.
     
  13. geocool

    geocool Savant (1,209) Jun 21, 2006 Massachusetts

    The rule I go by is 1.5 tsp per 5 gallons. You've done a little over triple that. I don't foresee any problems as a result.
     
  14. SeaOfShells

    SeaOfShells Initiate (0) Feb 22, 2011 California

    Why use Irish Moss when you can just use a Whirlfloc tablet? Are they not the same thing?
     
  15. atomeyes

    atomeyes Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2011 Canada (ON)

    when i first started homebrewing, i ordered whirfloc from my supply guy.
    i was making the recipe and, with 15 min left in the boil, i added my whirfloc.
    the entire baggie (10 tablets).

    i then repeated the same mistake with the next beer i brew. after i added it, i thought "something tells me that this can't be right".

    beer had an astringent taste to it.
     
  16. SeaOfShells

    SeaOfShells Initiate (0) Feb 22, 2011 California

    I'll bet the beer was crystal clear though!
     
  17. chocosushi

    chocosushi Initiate (0) May 1, 2011 Oklahoma

    Thanks guys!
    I think after I'm out of moss I'm gonna switch to whirlflocs
     
    GoldenChild likes this.
  18. atomeyes

    atomeyes Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2011 Canada (ON)

    sure as hell was.
    i admired it as i poured it down the drain.
     
  19. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Whirfloc is a more refined product that serves the same purpose. I use whirfloc.
     
    GoldenChild likes this.
  20. HerbMeowing

    HerbMeowing Maven (1,271) Nov 10, 2010 Virginia
    Trader

    I found Whirfloc was a little easier to use but it did not produce as dense a trub cake as does Irish moss.

    A less dense trub cake retains more wort and...as a small batch brewer...I can't afford to lose any volume into the fermentor.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.