Kieselsol/SiO2/Biofine Clear Troubleshooting

[Bierkoenig]

I've been experimenting with Kieselsol as a fining agent. I'm not using the Biofine brand, but rather the counterpart that Brewcraft sells which is Nalco 1072 (a 30% SiO2 solution, same as Biofine Clear.)

My yeast strain is a stubborn flocculator and this problem is occurring with all beers regardless of grain bill--some have a small percentage of wheat, others do not.

When titrating, jarred samples drop to a near-filtered level of clarity within 12-18 hours. This is true of dosage rates equal to 30, 60, and 90ml/bbl (although the higher the dosage rate the deeper the "fluffy bottom"--but clarity is nearly same on all samples).

In the tank is another story. Some beers show are marginal amount of clearing, while others appear as if the kieselsol has had no effect. I have tried different methods of mixing the tank: injecting through the racking arm and bubbling CO2 with a stone, pulling beer out via the bottom port and pumping back in through the racking arm with a centrifugal pump on a vfd, dosing inline while transferring the BBT, then bubbling with the stone, and simply pouring into the bottom of the BBT prior to transfer. Different mixing methods have not changed the outcome.

Any ideas? I know from my titrations that the stuff works and works well on these beers, but it isn't happening in practice.

[chaser]

I've been trying to figure out how to best use Biofine CL for the last 5 months (I'm new to producing unfiltered beers). I played around with a bunch of mixing methods and dose rates and have found something that's working well now. Disclaimer I use a high flocculant yeast.

I dose inline while transferring to the BBT. I'm using a 75 mL/bbl rate. The transfer seems to mix it well, so I don't bubble C02 through. I will leave the beer in the BBT with 0 head pressure on it for two days, dropping yeast each day. At the end of the second day I carbonate. Pretty simple but I've found it takes about 36 hours for the stuff to do the job and that is the key. Right now my beers have the clarity of a filtered product so I'm happy with it.

[CDangerBrew]

I have been using Biofine CL successfully for 6 months. I am using around 80ml per bbl. I add into the bbt during transfer, then carbonate as normal. Then I usually keg on day 3 or 4 after transfer, beer is nice and clear. I can usually keep the bbt temps around 31-32 degrees F. This procedure has worked well for me until.....

...now I am brewing a Hefeweizen with said low floc. yeast. Today is day 3 and still looking like I just transferred from the fv. I had added my normal amount of biofine, should I have added more? I did not expect a clear beer but right now it is looking pretty milky.

[gitchegumee]

I'm quite happy with the CL or A3 or whatever Kerry decides to call it today. The key for any BBT fining agent (IMHO) is absolute thorough mixing throughout the entire tank. Can't stress that enough. Thorough mixing throughout the entire batch. Leads to better flocs and lower dose rates. Last couple of batches, I've been dosing on outlet of transfer pump throughout the duration of the transfer using 50g/hl. Working on dosing on inlet of the pump. I then carbonate over night. I get brilliant beers about 48 hours after transfer using, for example, Nottingham yeast; which is not a great flocculator. Now, for wheat-based beers I'm fairly certain that CL/A3 will not remove protein haze. So the problem there might be using a fining agent not specifically targeted for what is hazing your beer. There are other agents which might help other hazes. Good luck!

[Mills]

I want to be able to add biofine in a closed and sanitary manner. I plan on dosing it into the bbt and filling on it. How do you are all of you getting the biofine into you separate vessel to add it to your brite?

Mills

[gitchegumee]

Mills, I wouldn't do it that way. Mixing is key. Putting some of this on the bottom of a tank and expecting it to mix as you fill won't work well. Use a corny keg or a dosing pump or whatever you can to mix this product thoroughly throughout the entire batch.

[CDangerBrew]

Has anyone used Biofine P019 in regards to getting suspended proteins out of a wheat beer? I've come to the conclusion there is an excessive amount of it in my Hefe. I'm also going to have to try to get it into the bbt on carbonated beer, any suggestions? Pitching rates?