Beer Filtration System

[CrazyBrew]

This is my beer filtration system. It utilizes a 0.5 filter with CO2 forced beer from one keg to final keg through the filter . It works great and produces absolutely clear beer. It's purely for presentation and looks of the beer, but it sure does make the final product look fantastic!

 

[pickles]

I've read recently that there may be an issue of entrained in the filter media scrubbing unwanted oxygen into your beer. Have you noticed any oxidation issues with this setup?

 

[andy777]

That looks awesome.

I have to disagree with you about the fact that filtering is only for looks. I know a lot of people say that clearing beer only has asthetic value, but don't sell your efforts short. Yeast has flavor. Nasty flavor.

 

[pickles]

That looks awesome.

I have to disagree with you about the fact that filtering is only for looks. I know a lot of people say that clearing beer only has asthetic value, but don't sell your efforts short. Yeast has flavor. Nasty flavor.

Nasty? The flavor or every beer is influenced by the yeast. Its not just for making alcohol. Yeast's flavor profile is as important as any other ingredient in the beer. Sometimes its more prevalent than other ingredients.

 

[mattd2]

Can you let us know if the filtering does affect the taste, I have heard that too fine a filter can also take other flavours out aswell (no idea how though)?

 

[andy777]

Nasty? The flavor or every beer is influenced by the yeast. Its not just for making alcohol. Yeast's flavor profile is as important as any other ingredient in the beer. Sometimes its more prevalent than other ingredients.

I didn't mean the "yeast profile," ie fermentation characteristics like attenuation, or in the form of esters, phenols, and other compounds generated or consumed by the yeast during fermentation. I meant the flavor of the actual yeast cells held in suspension making cloudy beer. Not the same thing.

Back when I filtered more frequently, I made a point to do before and after tastes, and the flavor difference was noticeable...in a good way.

 

[CrazyBrew]

I've read recently that there may be an issue of entrained in the filter media scrubbing unwanted oxygen into your beer. Have you noticed any oxidation issues with this setup?

I am a pretty science oriented person (especially with my job) so I have thought about this theory. This is a closed system with only new CO2 being introduced which is, of course, fine. As far as the filter "scrubbing oxygen" I suppose theoretically it could happen but I have not ever experienced any oxidation and I have used this process for quite awhile. The beer tastes and looks great!

 

[pickles]

Do you purge it with co2 first to rid it of oxygen? Even if its a closed system the surface area in one of those filters is significant and can hold alot of air. I've never tried this but have read a bit about it. Sounds promising if you have noticed any issues.

 

[CrazyBrew]

Do you purge it with co2 first to rid it of oxygen? Even if its a closed system the surface area in one of those filters is significant and can hold alot of air. I've never tried this but have read a bit about it. Sounds promising if you have noticed any issues.

I do purge it.

For mattd2 - I do think the main reason for filtering is for looks which let's face it -- is important. As far as taste, I have done with filtering and without filtering taste tests and I do believe the beer tastes better WITH filtering.

 

[mattd2]

Just got to see the vidoe now, looks pretty good! I can't really tell but it looks pretty clear coming out of the first keg (is it?) so it is something to note that even if the beer is clear there still could be a lot of yeast flavour in there. I guess it is a case of each to the own though, some people like there homebrew like it filtered some will not. From what I remember the removal of other "good" flavours was when a crazy fine filter element was used, basically sounded like if you used soemthing extreamly fine you would pretty much filter your beer into water or something!
(<- or not)

 

[CrazyBrew]

Just got to see the vidoe now, looks pretty good! I can't really tell but it looks pretty clear coming out of the first keg (is it?) so it is something to note that even if the beer is clear there still could be a lot of yeast flavour in there. I guess it is a case of each to the own though, some people like there homebrew like it filtered some will not. From what I remember the removal of other "good" flavours was when a crazy fine filter element was used, basically sounded like if you used soemthing extreamly fine you would pretty much filter your beer into water or something!
(<- or not)

Yeah the beer is pretty clear. It's a basic American Light Beer for the wife. Basically a Miller Lite but it tastes really good. I don't drink a lot of it but she likes it. Even an amber is too dark for her. As far as filtering, I filter every batch. It's just what I do. The beer always tastes good and is clear. Oh, and I use a very fine element and it's still really good beer -- even the light ones.

:rockin:

 

[Bru]

I assume you have to release the pressure build up in the destination keg ? I don't see you do that in the video.
Where did you get the filter ?

 

[CrazyBrew]

I assume you have to release the pressure build up in the destination keg ? I don't see you do that in the video.

Yes you do have to periodically release the destination keg pressure. You can see a small ball lock device on the destination keg that you can manually let out the pressure every now and then.

Where did you get the filter ?

MoreBeer.Com

 

[protocol_droid]

where the heck did the pics go?

 

[CrazyBrew]

where the heck did the pics go?

That was weird. I don't know what happened. I added the video back to the first post. It just disappeared. Maybe hbt has a time limit or something.

 

[Lonnie Mac]

Looks good! You are not far from me. I'll have to do a taste testing!

Back when I filtered a bit, I always ran a 6-pack of swill through the filter first. It worked very well, and you can get a 6-pack of bud for like nothing...

 

[whale]

what do you do with the filter once its used?? do you chuck it or wash it sanitize it??

 

[jdlev]

This is my beer filtration system. It utilizes a 0.5 filter with CO2 forced beer from one keg to final keg through the filter . It works great and produces absolutely clear beer. It's purely for presentation and looks of the beer, but it sure does make the final product look fantastic!

CrazyBrew Filtration System

Nice video...what's a setup like that typically cost...I could probably do something like that.


Few questions:

I assume a .5 micron filter would be good enough to remove all the yeast?

What maintenance is involved with the filter?

How do you sterilize it, and do you use a new filter for every batch?

Do they sell .5micron sized filters at places like lowes?

 

[shtank]

Yes they sell that same set up at lowes for about 30$ my question is how and when do you clean it.

 

[weirdboy]

Yes you do have to periodically release the destination keg pressure. You can see a small ball lock device on the destination keg that you can manually let out the pressure every now and then.




MoreBeer.Com

OK so stupid question maybe, but why not just use the pressure release valve on the lid?

Also, do you reuse filters at all or get a new one every time? How much do new filters cost? (i.e. how much is it costing per batch to filter?)

 

[CrazyBrew]

Sorry for the late response. Here's some answers:

- I do not re-use the filters. Northern Brewer sells the filters. They are not expensive. I think around 5 bucks.

- Yes, the filters remove all the yeast sediment.

- The filters are shipped sterilized so they are not cleaned or sterilized before use.

- The other filtering equipment is cleaned and sterilized with star san just like the other brewing equipment.

Overall the system works great and makes the beer look nice and clear.

 

[pipapat]

Sorry for the late response. Here's some answers:

- I do not re-use the filters. Northern Brewer sells the filters. They are not expensive. I think around 5 bucks.

- Yes, the filters remove all the yeast sediment.

- The filters are shipped sterilized so they are not cleaned or sterilized before use.

- The other filtering equipment is cleaned and sterilized with star san just like the other brewing equipment.

Overall the system works great and makes the beer look nice and clear.

could one save money by filtering several batches at once?

 

[CrazyBrew]

could one save money by filtering several batches at once?

Yes. The filter can not be cleaned and sterilized but it can be used for more than one batch. The filters should work fine for 3ish 5 gallon batches.

 

[samc]

This looks to be the same filter for $1.95 each.

I have a different brand of spun poly and mine didn't work, but I think it's because I ran StarSan through it first which caused a foaming event of epic size.

 

[Strongbad52]

Here is another option. It takes a little more investment up front, but will even out pretty quick if you are shelling out 5 bucks a filter. It's a 5 micron 304 stainless mesh filter. You would have to fabricate a housing for it however.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-NORMAN-535G...160?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c186caf00

 

[meadowstream]

Northern Brewer seems to sell a rough filter and a 1 micron filter (as well as the housing.) Are you using the rough or the 1 micron? Thanks!

 

[CrazyBrew]

Northern Brewer seems to sell a rough filter and a 1 micron filter (as well as the housing.) Are you using the rough or the 1 micron? Thanks!

You are right, I went to re-order and realized this. They actually come from Midwest Supplies. Here's the link: 0.5 Micron Filter

They're $2.95

 

[meadowstream]

Thanks for your reply - that was helpful.

Do you sometimes filter and sometimes not filter? What types of beers do you choose to filter and what do you notice about the difference in flavor? Have you noticed any difference in effect on higher versus lower gravity beers? Between ales or lagers, or between "plainer" beers and "more flavorful" beers?

 

[MrZ2U]

Someone sells a filter that they say can be boiled a few times to sanitize...I will look for that link and post it if I find it

Simple enough to test really...use it, boil it and see if it holds up? Could also just back flush and let it soak in starsan or the like.

 

[meadowstream]

MrZ2U - thanks - would be great to check out those filters if you can find the link.