Who uses a filtration system? (looking for some testimony)

[the_bird]

I have a question for those who use a filter. I was looking into geting a 5 micron filter for my beer to clear it up, but thought the expense per filter was to much to only filter one batch at a time, so logistics won't work out.

I'm almost positive that filters can be cleaned and re-sanitized.

 

[Bobby_M]

Just in case anyone thinks you have to do anything special to get clear beer, here's one that wasn't filtered, or fined in any way. No irish moss during the boil either. Just time + cold. BTW, this is a wheat beer.

 

[jrpark22000]

I use the 8.75" plate filters removing excess yeast and chill haze. My allergies really kick my if I drink a few pints of most beer without it. I use 3 micron filter pads at a cost of $1.50 each, 2 required per batch of 5 gallons.
I have only had them plug when trying to filter young hard cider with excess suspended yeast, which I knew was foolish but I wanted to experiment.

Cheers, and brew 1 for me!!

 

[jdoiv]

I have a question for those who use a filter. I was looking into geting a 5 micron filter for my beer to clear it up, but thought the expense per filter was to much to only filter one batch at a time, so logistics won't work out.

But my question regards what is filtered out. My friend who likes my home brews always rips obnoxiously loud farts the day after drinking my home brewed beer. I have been told by other friends who occasionally drink the beer that they have that happen sometimes too. I am somewhat immune now as my system has adjusted to drinking this beer almost every day. I know this is the suspended yeast acting up in their digestive system and causing gas, would filtering the beer eliminate this problem, does it take out almost all the suspended yeast. Aside from aesthetics does it have any additional benefits?

To answer your question, yes. A filter will remove most of the yeast and lower the fart quotient. Gelatin will as well. I don't filter nor use gelatin (though I bought some and keep meaning to try it). Bobby is right though, get it cold and let time do it's trick and it will be clear and not be loaded with rhino farts.

 

[BierMuncher]

I'm actually a bit curious as to how that turned out for BierMuncher. Did the gelatin clear up his problems or did he end up buying a filtration system?

The gelatin did what I needed it to. The lighter the grain bill, the sooner my beers clear up. This one is a <4% and this is two weeks from the kettle:

 

[Kevin Dean]

The gelatin did what I needed it to.

Awesome! I'll have to try that on a few of my own brews. Of course, my sister-in-law will not be able to drink any of them but such is life.

 

[PseudoChef]

Awesome! I'll have to try that on a few of my own brews. Of course, my sister-in-law will not be able to drink any of them but such is life.

Mmmmmmmmmm....turning beer into meat products FTW!!!!

 

[Kevin Dean]

turning beer into meat products

Exactly why it's a mixed blessing. My sister-in-law is a vegan.

 

[jacobyhale]

Vegan's don't deserve beer anyways.

 

[Denny's Evil Concoctions]

I'm almost positive that filters can be cleaned and re-sanitized.

Cartridge filter can most definitely be back-flushed and sanitized.

I back flush then soak in oxy clean. High concentration of oxy clean will sanitize.

I use a high quality .3 nominal which is roughly a 1 micron absolute. Use polypropylene filters. I bought one for 40 buck and have been using it for over a year. I sometimes prefilter with a $8 1 micron nom. water filter cartridge if the beer is very yeasty just to get the chunks out. Those cheap 1 micron filters are roughly equal to a 10 micron abs quality filter!

Some people use 5 micron absolute poly filters with great success as well.

I have a source for filters in Ontario, but I have to search for the damn website and phone number. I bought mine form a ubrew shop but the guy in Ontario has a great selection.