Hilbert

Recipes 

I used gelatin in my secondary for the first time. I put it in the secondary for 2 weeks and then bottled. The bottles have been conditioning for 2 weeks now. I cracked open the first one to test and there is a ton of stuff suspended in the beer.

I usually have very clear beer but thought I would experiment with gelatin to see if I could take it to the next level.

Here's my question. What did I do wrong? Should I have left it in the secondary for longer before bottling?

Thanks

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Primary 1: Ode to Arthur
Primary 2:
Secondary #1: Sanitizer
Secondary #2: Sanitizer

Bottled: Cream of Three Crops, New Castle Clone, California Pale Ale, Brandon O's Graff Cider, Winter Lager,
Gone but Not Forgotten: Steam Beer, All Hopped Up, Honey Wheat, Nut Brown Ale, Fat Bastard Light, Blondie's Ale, Pale Ale, Trappist Ale, Kitchen Sink Stout, Bee Cave Pale Ale

Hurls

Recipes 

Try a couple of more. I used gelatin on my first beer and 80-90% of the bottles were clear as can be, but the others had a lot of "stuff" in suspension. It almost looked like granules. I let the beer sit for 30 min and most of it settled to the bottom. I just assumed that picked up a bit of the gelatin at the bottom of the secondary, but others here might know better.

hal2814

Recipes 

I can tell when my keg is running low because small gelatin granules start appearing in the beer. It's not a ton of stuff and you can't see it unless you are looking. But it is there. I'd check bottles from early and late in the bottling process and see if there is a difference.

GilaMinumBeer

Recipes 

did you "bloom" the gelatin first to rehydrate it? Or did you just dump the powder into the fermenter?

Hilbert

Recipes 

no i bloomed it for 30 mins before putting it in.

i looked at a couple bottles and they all seem the same. i'm labeling tonight so I'll be able to look at them all.

It's not a couple flakes. You wouldnt miss it if you poured a mug.

I dont mind it but I know my non brewer friends will be a little freaked out by it. It's a shame because it's a great tasting beer.

__________________
Primary 1: Ode to Arthur
Primary 2:
Secondary #1: Sanitizer
Secondary #2: Sanitizer

Bottled: Cream of Three Crops, New Castle Clone, California Pale Ale, Brandon O's Graff Cider, Winter Lager,
Gone but Not Forgotten: Steam Beer, All Hopped Up, Honey Wheat, Nut Brown Ale, Fat Bastard Light, Blondie's Ale, Pale Ale, Trappist Ale, Kitchen Sink Stout, Bee Cave Pale Ale

homebrewer_99

Recipes 

Did you add it to cold beer or just bottle right afterwards like some directions state?

I let it sit in the cold for a couple of days so it can gel and work properly before racking.

Sounds like you racked the gelatin into your bottles.

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HB Bill

Hilbert

Recipes 

i added it to the carboy before i racked to the secondary. the beer was about 64 degrees when i racked the beer. i just labeled the bottles tonight. some of them are clear but most have suspension. i'm thinking it may clear out in the bottle once they sit around. i'm hoping it will congeal.

__________________
Primary 1: Ode to Arthur
Primary 2:
Secondary #1: Sanitizer
Secondary #2: Sanitizer

Bottled: Cream of Three Crops, New Castle Clone, California Pale Ale, Brandon O's Graff Cider, Winter Lager,
Gone but Not Forgotten: Steam Beer, All Hopped Up, Honey Wheat, Nut Brown Ale, Fat Bastard Light, Blondie's Ale, Pale Ale, Trappist Ale, Kitchen Sink Stout, Bee Cave Pale Ale

hal2814

Recipes 

If the beer has never been cold, it will likely sink to the bottom after a week or so in the fridge (after the bottle conditioning, of course).

homebrewer_99

Recipes 

Sounds backwards...I let mine work in the carboy then I rack the brew off of it.

If it sets in the bottles you'll have to be careful not to pour it into the glass.

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HB Bill

bhatchable

Recipes 

I think, i have never used gelatin, but i think that it is best used in conjunction with cold crashing.

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