Particles in suspension....

[iswenson]

Hello,

I racked an ale into the secondary this past saturday. I have a layer of yeast on the bottom, but some of what seems to be hops 'particles' are still hovering below the surface (not a lot just some flakes here and there). Im wondering if these will eventually fall (I was planning on bottling this weekend) and if anything but gravity can help that happen.

Thank you.
Ian

 

[Revvy]

Yes they will, that's the point of a secondary, to let stuff settle and your beer clear.

But a week is more than likely not enough, it usually takes a couple weeks to clear and settle. So I would wait til NEXT weekend.

Though many of us opt for long primary instead these days. There is a ton of info on here, at least 5-6 threads talking about it a day, just look around if you want more info.

 

[iswenson]

Ok I will. What eventually causes those particles to drop? Is it because the S.G. is continually dropping, and at some point the SG of the 'particles' is less than that of the surrounding fluid?

 

[Revvy]

Ok I will. What eventually causes those particles to drop? Is it because the S.G. is continually dropping, and at some point the SG of the 'particles' is less than that of the surrounding fluid?

Did you take a grav reading before you racked your beer? Because you shouldn't rack til your beer is finished fermenting, so there should not be a drop in gravity.

As to your question, the other kind of gravity, you know, Newton's apple kinda gravity, is what causes the stuff to settle and your beer to clear.

That and time.

 

[Yooper]

Ok I will. What eventually causes those particles to drop? Is it because the S.G. is continually dropping, and at some point the SG of the 'particles' is less than that of the surrounding fluid?

No. Generally, the SG is as low as it will go before you move it to secondary.

Sometimes yeast, some proteins, hops debis, etc, remain suspended for a while after fermentation is over. Generally, most of it eventually does fall out and the beer clears quite a bit. Sometimes co2 holds it up, as co2 remains in the beer as a by-product of fermentation.

Time usually allows most of the particulates to drop out.

 

[iswenson]

"As to your question, the other kind of gravity, you know, Newton's apple kinda gravity, is what causes the stuff to settle and your beer to clear."

If the 'particles' are less dense than the fluid (SG < 1), they will never fall. That is what I was getting at, are the hops less dense than the beer. Answer Im getting is a no, so I will wait it out.

Yes I took 3 readings on SG before I racked to a secondary. I will wait for the particles to fall before bottling, I guess that will be a good 'clock' for me.

Thank you two for the help, I appreciate it.

 

[Revvy]

"As to your question, the other kind of gravity, you know, Newton's apple kinda gravity, is what causes the stuff to settle and your beer to clear."

If the 'particles' are less dense than the fluid (SG < 1), they will never fall. That is what I was getting at, are the hops less dense than the typical beer. Answer Im getting is a no, so I will wait it out.

Yes I took 3 readings on SG before I racked to a secondary. I will wait for the particles to fall before bottline, I guess that will be a good 'clock' for me.

Thank you two for the help, I appreciate it.

Well despite the density of the particles, your beer will clear with time in the secondary. The mechanics of it really don't matter, it could be the fermentation fairies for all it matters.

Just trust us, in a couple weeks all the stuff you kicked up during racking, will fall back out of supension.

Relax

 

[iswenson]

"it could be the fermentation fairies for all it matters."

lol I just added extra fairies FYI

 

[Revvy]

"it could be the fermentation fairies for all it matters."

lol I just added extra fairies FYI

Hey don't knock them...if you treat them well they protect your beer from infection, and make sure it carbs up.

The also protect your beer from the Acetobactor Gremlyns.