[brulosopher]

There are a few methods to assist homebrewers in producing clear beer, one of the more popular involves adding a gelatin solutions post-fermentation, which has the added appeal of being pretty cheap. However, there are other options, one of these is Clarity Ferm, a product produced by White Labs that is purported to do more than just aid in clarity. Curious how this product stacked up to gelatin, contributor Ray Found put it to the test. Results are in!!!

http://brulosophy.com/2015/07/27/clarity-ferm-vs-gelatin-exbeeriment-results/

[dmtaylor]

I love the factoid about cost.  That's the last nail in the coffin right there.  Unless you're a vegan.

[HoosierBrew]

I like the cost and reliability of gelatin. Though I do use Biofine sometimes, too. I'll be curious to see you compare the two.

[brulosopher]

I like the cost and reliability of gelatin. Though I do use Biofine sometimes, too. I'll be curious to see you compare the two.

I recently heard from someone who regularly uses BioFine, he said in his experience it works faster than gelatin. We have an xBmt planned

[HoosierBrew]

I like the cost and reliability of gelatin. Though I do use Biofine sometimes, too. I'll be curious to see you compare the two.

I recently heard from someone who regularly uses BioFine, he said in his experience it works faster than gelatin. We have an xBmt planned

It does work a little quicker IMO, but 24-48 hrs for gelatin is pretty quick, too, in the big scheme. I've noticed some beers clear a little better than others with Biofine. All in all a good product. Look forward to your results !

[dmtaylor]

Ah, but is Biofine as cheap as me, I mean, as cheap as gelatin?   

[HoosierBrew]

Ah, but is Biofine as cheap as me, I mean, as cheap as gelatin?   

Nope. Morebeer sells a 2 oz bottle for $5.25. I like to use 1 tbsp for most beers, which works out to just over $1.25/usage. Which is why I often use gelatin. I do like Biofine though.

EDIT -  In fairness, Biofine requires no mixing or blooming, and does work quicker.

[zkosslow]

Love all these exBEERiments!!

I have used Biofine many times with great results.  Love the ease of use...I literally just package in the keg as normal, wait until it has fully chilled, open the lid and sprinkle the Biofine into the keg....a day or two later, i pull a pint of pretty much all yeast and gunk, then perdy darn clear beer from there on out....absolutely crystal clear beer after one week.

Butttt...it is expensive.  I'm wondering if anyone that uses gelatin...can you or have you added your gelatin solution straight to a chilled keg and just pulled off a pint or two of the yeast/gelatin/gunk and not have to worry about racking off of the gelatin??

[brulosopher]

Does anyone know of BioFine has any impact on gluten levels?

[denny]

Does anyone know of BioFine has any impact on gluten levels?

I don';t believe it does.

[a10t2]

Does anyone know of BioFine has any impact on gluten levels?

It does, but not enough to qualify as "reduced gluten".

Nope. Morebeer sells a 2 oz bottle for $5.25. I like to use 1 tbsp for most beers, which works out to just over $1.25/usage. Which is why I often use gelatin. I do like Biofine though.

That's kind of a false dichotomy unless you're also buying gelatin in individual packets. BioFine by the liter works out to ~$0.50 per 5 gal batch.

ClarityFerm, on the other hand, is crazy expensive. There are much less expensive sources of clarex.

[HoosierBrew]

That's kind of a false dichotomy unless you're also buying gelatin in individual packets. BioFine by the liter works out to ~$0.50 per 5 gal batch.

For sure. I just couldn't use that much in a year - the Biofine I buy has a 1 yr 'use by' date. Does it really lose its effectiveness at a year, Sean? If not, the liter would definitely be more economical.

EDIT - I wondered if the 1 year thing could be a ploy to get people to buy new each year.

[a10t2]

For sure. I just couldn't use that much in a year - the Biofine I buy has a 1 yr 'use by' date. Does it really lose its effectiveness at a year, Sean? If not, the liter would definitely be more economical.

Is that in the Kerry packaging, or re-branded? The liter in my fridge doesn't have a date on it, and at 16 months old it seems to be doing fine. So that's one anecdote. I've heard that if you let it freeze, the ice crystals will cause the silica to coagulate and settle out. I definitely wouldn't let dust or anything else get into it, but given that it's chemically inert as packaged I don't see how it could "go bad" when stored properly.

[HoosierBrew]

For sure. I just couldn't use that much in a year - the Biofine I buy has a 1 yr 'use by' date. Does it really lose its effectiveness at a year, Sean? If not, the liter would definitely be more economical.

Is that in the Kerry packaging, or re-branded? The liter in my fridge doesn't have a date on it, and at 16 months old it seems to be doing fine. So that's one anecdote. I've heard that if you let it freeze, the ice crystals will cause the silica to coagulate and settle out. I definitely wouldn't let dust or anything else get into it, but given that it's chemically inert as packaged I don't see how it could "go bad" when stored properly.

It's rebranded (from Morebeer) - I'll have to look at the packaging later. If you say it works well after year, that works for me. I have heard the part about not keeping it cold. Thanks !

[a10t2]

To clarify, you absolutely need to store it cold. Just don't let it freeze.