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brian_g · 06-04-2009, 02:29 PM

I bought a pack of Super-KLEER and I'm debating whether to use it in beer. It says it's for wine and beer on the package. I was hoping that this would allow me to get my beer into bottles quicker. My main concern is that it might cause the yeast from carbonation to gel at the bottom of the bottles instead of pack. Has anyone used this product on beer before?

flylock_jac · 06-04-2009, 05:59 PM

I tried it in one of my first batches and did not notice any difference.
Didn't seem to do much for clearing the beer.
Last 2 batches I used whirlflock and it worked great. The beer was crystal clear when I racked it to my bottling bucket.

**Bluelinebrewer** · 06-04-2009, 07:59 PM

Slightly OT, but I've meant to ask this question before about KC. IIRC, there's a warning about the product containing shellfish or something along those lines. Am I correct in assuming that if you were to add the KC to your brew, anyone with a shellfish allergy should refrain from drinking the brew???

malkore · 06-04-2009, 10:08 PM

Good question Blueline.

It just came up last week in a wine forum...Chitosan is a clarifying agent in many wine kits and it sounds like KC must use it too.
The discussion on the forum said that it doesn't trigger allergies in those allergic to shellfish. I think its because its the shellfish meat that people have an allergy to, and chitosan is derived from the shell.

but, i'm not a doctor, or a lawyer, or a biologist for that matter, so take my comment with a grain of salt.

**Bluelinebrewer** · 06-05-2009, 01:46 AM

Interesting. I would've thought that any part of the shellfish would cause a reaction. But, I'm no doctor either!! I had been pondering the thought for a while now (about the allergic reaction, not being a doctor

) and it had prevented me from using it.... guess I'll use it and give it to a friend who has shellfish allergy, and standby with an epi-pen!!

brian_g · 06-06-2009, 06:07 PM

Yes Super-KLEER does contain chitosan which is a derivative of shellfish. I'm not allergic to shellfish, so it doesn't affect me personally, but I would had to give wine to someone and have it cause an allergic reaction. I did some research on it and I'm comfortable using it. The stuff I read basically said that people who are allergic to shellfish are allergic to the proteins in the shellfish. The proteins are primary found in the meat, but chitosan comes from the shells. The shells are then processed in a way which would destroy any proteins left.
So my limited research suggests that it's relatively safe for people with shellfish allergies. That said I'm no doctor, and I encourage everybody to do their own research and / or talk to their doctor, especially if the allergy is severe.

Now does anyone know if Super-KLEER works in beer. We have one person who says he tried it and it didn't work. Anyone else try it?

brian_g · 06-06-2009, 07:48 PM

Ok, I've decided to give it a try. I put the 1st packet in about an hour ago. I'm about to put the second pack in. The first pack has make the yeast form into larger particles, it looks like a snow globe inside my beer.

**Bluelinebrewer** · 06-06-2009, 09:36 PM

Interesting.... let us know how it works out, I may go ahead and use mine if you have positive results

Hodor_Baggins · 06-06-2009, 10:03 PM

One thing about that that likely won't make any difference to you at all is that shellfish are not Kosher. If you have any Jewish friends that keep Kosher, they can't enjoy any beer that uses this stuff.

brian_g · 06-10-2009, 04:39 PM

My results were rather suprising. The beer was still appeared cloudy last night and there appeared to be a lot of stuff floating around, but I decided to rack it anyway. I racked just over 4 gals into the bottling bucked and the rest of it into a 1 gal jug. I was surprised at how clear the beer was. I'll re-rack the 1 gal jug again, but the stuff in the bottling bucket was crystal clear. I put some in a glass and held it up to the light, I saw nothing floating in it and no cloudiness. Also I didn't see anything come through the hose during siphoning. I'm not sure what I observed before racking. Perhaps just yeast stuck to the sides of the carboy? The beer tastes great too. Probably the best I've had this young.

My concern is that I wont have enough yeast for carbonation. I'll probably add a pack at bottling time.