drummstikk
Well-Known Member
I have been using Clarity-Ferm from White Labs for the past three beers. I haven't noticed any difference in body or head retention. A side-by-side is in order. But let's put it this way: the effect of Clarity-Ferm on body and head is slight enough that I would have never thought about it unless you guys alerted me to the possibility.
I say, if you're curious, don't think of CF as a step backward. Go ahead and try it, and get a crystal-clear beer while you're at it!
Flatspin, +1 on definition of an enzyme. Just add the recommended amount for any gravity beer. What limits the activity of a protein-based enzyme is typically unfolding and aggregation. Both will eventually push activity to zero, so just make sure to keep it in the fridge at all times before you use it. (Cold slows unfolding, and a constant temp deters aggregation.)
As far as the enzyme settling, keep in mind how small most proteins are -- nanometers in diameter. Compare this to the micometer diameter of yeast (that's 1000x different). Yeast have a hard time settling in a liquid unless they flocculate, so a protein doesn't even stand a chance. Clarity-ferm will never settle out unless it has adsorbed onto something big, and if that's the case, it's probably not active anymore.
Just got a sack of malted red millet for my GF buddy -- we'll see how it goes!
I say, if you're curious, don't think of CF as a step backward. Go ahead and try it, and get a crystal-clear beer while you're at it!
Flatspin, +1 on definition of an enzyme. Just add the recommended amount for any gravity beer. What limits the activity of a protein-based enzyme is typically unfolding and aggregation. Both will eventually push activity to zero, so just make sure to keep it in the fridge at all times before you use it. (Cold slows unfolding, and a constant temp deters aggregation.)
As far as the enzyme settling, keep in mind how small most proteins are -- nanometers in diameter. Compare this to the micometer diameter of yeast (that's 1000x different). Yeast have a hard time settling in a liquid unless they flocculate, so a protein doesn't even stand a chance. Clarity-ferm will never settle out unless it has adsorbed onto something big, and if that's the case, it's probably not active anymore.
Just got a sack of malted red millet for my GF buddy -- we'll see how it goes!