What can I use??

[docbee]

Just brewing my secong kit, a British Pale Ale, and after I had started I realize that the Irish Moss is missing. What can I use in the secondary fermantation step to help clarify since I don't have a LHBS and will have to wait on an order to arrive. Not wild about opening the primary fermantator in mid fermentation unless I have to.

 

[ian]

Actually, if you just leave it in secondary for a couple of weeks it should clear up just fine. I'm not familiar with anything you could add at this point to flocculate.

 

[homebrewer_99]

You can add Polyclar if you'd like. Just be aware that you will probably lose a half gal of beer if you want to keep your brew as clear as possible (by not racking the polyclar to the bottling bucket).

Some people will add finings too. I tried that once and was not satisfied with the results.

Irish moss or nothing...

 

[david_42]

Polyclar is a plastic finings. Isenglass (fish bladder) & plain gelatin are alternatives. Waiting almost always works.

 

[Porcelon]

I've used gelatin a couple of times. You don't have to use a lot, just make sure it's unflavored.

This is only because I wanted to bottle sooner rather than later.

 

[Truble]

Waiting should be fine. Having a hazy beer will not affect flavor at all, so I would opt on the "not sacrificing volume for aesthetics" side of the fence.

 

[docbee]

Thanks for the input!!! Taste is the ultimate goal and a little haziness is not a concern for me, but I have family coming for Thanksgiving already licking their lips at trying my brews. So of course I'd like to make a good impression with my first two brew sessions, and for the people not "learned" (not that I am) in homebrewing appearance probably will make a difference.

Has anyone tried putting Irish Moss in the secondary??? Or does it require boiling action to be of any effect??

 

[Truble]

Irish moss goes in the boil.