Aussiekraut Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 AG brewers seem to always use Whirlfloc (or Irish moss) in the boil to help the clarity of the final product. Is there a big difference between beers brewed with and without? Is it just cosmetics or does it have any other impact on the beer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 (edited) It's used to clarify the wort rather than the beer. Its main use is coagulating and precipitating hot break, so that it settles out at the bottom of the kettle after the boil, rather than floating around all through the wort. This crap isn't desired in the fermenter as it can cause problems in the beer, most notably premature staling. I use a different product called brewbrite but the purpose is the same. I have brewed batches without it, mostly by mistake (forgetting I'd run out), and they were lesser beers. One pilsner batch looked more like a neipa and tasted crap compared to usual as well. Even dosing it with isinglass and polyclar, and having it chilled in a keg for two months didn't make any difference to it. Never leaving it out again. Edited October 11, 2019 by Otto Von Blotto 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Captain!! Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 In my opinion it matters to whirlfloc, I like to draw the clearer wort off the........ Otto just replied with what I was going to say, apart from the other stuff he’s crapped on about ha ha ha. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenyinthewestofsydney Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 Ditto to the above guys. If you want a very hazy beer and a slightly offputting bitter taste then dont use it. Like otto i have forgot a couple of times to use irish moss and like him make damn sure i dont forget again. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackSands Posted October 11, 2019 Share Posted October 11, 2019 It's yet another one of those things where opinions and experiences are polarised. I use half a whirlfloc tab on a 'just in case' basis but there's plenty out there that apparently don't bother, don't worry about hot break going into the fermenter, and after CC'ing and fining still apparently end up with crystal clear, great tasting beer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussiekraut Posted October 11, 2019 Author Share Posted October 11, 2019 Thanks guys. I'm just trying to figure out a few things before the act, not after. never been a boy scout but I like to be prepared 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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