Irish moss necessary if recipe calls for it?

[Waidan]

Hi all, first post in been reading for a while.

I've done a search and could not find an answer for this.

I've done 4 extract kits and I've just bought my first set of ingredients for a nut brown extract recipe. Of course I forgot to pick up Irish moss which was listed.

From what I gather it's just a clearing agent for the final product. If that's the case should I need it if I'm not to concerned about the clarity of the final product?

Thanks

 

[SmokeyMcBong]

You don't have to use it at all. Brew on....

 

[Gerry_P]

You can just bottle it, let it carbonate itself, and put it in the fridge for a while. Or cold crash it in the primary prior to packaging. As for my personal opinion...

 

[Waidan]

This is going in a keg and won't be taping it until at least March. So I guess I have time for it

 

[Sadu]

IMO this is a $5 purchase that will last for 50+ batches so I think it's worth it. But if you don't have any on hand you'll be fine without, definitely not worth a special trip to the HBS.

 

[sillbeer]

I have always used Irish Moss however on my most recent brew I used a Whirlfloc tablet.

 

[jrgtr42]

I've occasionally forgotten to use the Irish Moss in my beers.
I don't ususally see much difference in the clarity - I do let it sit a week or so longer for everything to settle out.

 

[kh54s10]

I have always used Irish Moss however on my most recent brew I used a Whirlfloc tablet.

Unless I am mistaken Whirlfloc is Irish Moss but in a tablet form.

OP, you don't need it. The beer will clear, Irish Moss helps it clear.

 

[sillbeer]

Yes, but it's more convenient. You don't have to measure it out or hydrate prior to use. Not that Irish Moss is difficult to use, it's just one less thing to worry about.

 

[jojacques]

Rehydrate Irish Moss? But why? It goes in the boil.....

 

[sillbeer]

Rehydrate Irish Moss? But why? It goes in the boil.....

Why do people hydrate yeast? It goes in the fermenter. Same principle, yes?

 

[jojacques]

Not really. Yeast is alive. Something you want to wake up gently and give strenght to. Irish moss is a dead, dried plant.

 

[sillbeer]

Not really. Yeast is alive. Something you want to wake up gently and give strenght to. Irish moss is a dead, dried plant.

Good point. I had just read old posts here on the forum that referenced that.

 

[timdillon36]

I usually use Irish Moss when I remember, and it's always a pinch straight out of the bag into the BK.

 

[csurowiec]

You don't need it. I've never used it. I always use time and temperature (cold crashing) to clarify my beers. I always put all the kettle trub in my fermenter too. I'm such a heathen
Your beer will be fine without it. Maybe it will be better with it and I'm missing out on something.

 

[JonM]

I haven't used Irish moss or whirlifloc (a concentrated form of the active thing in moss) in years. Just keg, chill and maybe add gelatin to the cold keg. Thats how I get this kind of clarity:

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1483722663.235792.jpg

 

[wstcstnative]

The hardest part of brewing is being patient. Irish moss is just another small step to aid in making clearer beer. Helpful, but not absolutely necessary. And because it's so cheap and you never really need a big quantity per batch, why not if youv'e got it?!

 

[jojacques]

I personally bought a small quantity for 3$. Added to my last 12 brews and I used about half of it.

 

[stratslinger]

There was a recent (I think?) Brulosophy exbeeriment that suggested very strongly that Irish Moss/Whirfloc really don't make any significant difference to a beer. Use it if you like, don't stress if you can't or don't use it.

 

[StephanHaus]

It's purely aesthetic. Some types (like hefeweizens) are actually preferable without it.