Gelatin - WOW!

Definitely been considering trying out Gelatin, I just have been working on improving so many other aspects of my brewing that its been pushed to the side. Great to hear it worked out great for you.

I am also interested in hearing how your ale version of an Oktoberfest came out... how does it compare to a Marzen style beer?

 

i started using finings prior to dry hopping and have since been sold on using it for most all my beers. For some inane reason, enjoying the look of a nice crisp look beer pouring from my taps now...cheers!

 

I love the crystal clarity that using gelatin produces. I most recently added it to a 30 gallon batch of Koelsch (6 full kegs) and, man, is it nice to gaze at that clear golden hue in the Stange glass before knocking it back. Funny, though, we've almost gotten to the point where people don't trust clear beers anymore. Not me! Prost!

 

I started adding gelatin at kegging exactly how you described and have the same experience. I'll use it for every keg unless it's an opaque stout or something similar.

 

I think I will have to try this. I bought some a while back, and never used it.

 

How does one use gelatin if dry hopping in the keg as well? Is it best to add after the dry hopping is complete (ie hops removed) or does it matter? I generally leave the hops in the keg for the duration of the keg. I'm tempted to give this gelatin thing a shot for the next beer I brew.

 

Welp... you just got me sold. Just added to my next Northern Brewer order (sometime the end of the month).

Would it be ok to add the Geletin solution to the empty keg and then rack the beer onto it for a good incorporation into the entire batch? Or do you need to chill the keg 1st?

 

Use the gelatin to clear the beer, then dry hop.

 

Need to chill first and add the gelatin to the chilled beer. I brew almost exclusively lagers, and I normally add the gelatin after I've lowered the temp in the chest freezer to 32-34F.

 

Do you stir it in, or just dump into the keg and let it incorporate itself?

 

I actually use a sanitized wine thief to gently add the gelatin to the kegged beer, being careful not to splash too much.

 

Stir it in or no stirring?

 

No stirring.

 

Won't dry hopping make the beer somewhat more murky? In my experience it does.

 

Not 100% sure, but I bet it would be cheaper to pick some Knox gelatin up from your local supermarket....

 

Just did some more research and Knox Gelatin supposedly works better than LD Carlton Gelatin (and is available at grocery stores)... very cool.

 

It does work great and I use knox brand as well. This reminded me, I need to use some in one of my recent beers.

One thing to watch for, if you are not going to run off the first half pint or so for like a month or two, you might get a gummed up dip tube. I've had this happen a few times, though cranking up the presssure to about 20-30psi always got it unclogged. So now I always run off the gelatin after about 3-7 days, if I remember!