Filtering homebrew and mead?

Question

I asked a question about clearing mead, but I'm thinking I might want to do some sort of physical filtering vs. chemical clearing.

What do I need to filter beer and mead (and probably wine, too)? I was reading about a whole house water filter - one of the white string looking ones that you could use but that kind of sounds like oxidation waiting to happen.

I see professional wine filters for a few hundred dollars but would like to go a bit cheaper.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Answer 1

I've used a paper coffee filter once on a melomel that was real cloudy,  it worked.  I usually don't filter my brews and do not own a filtering kit.

I have also found that the type of yeast you use can really make a difference.  I like yeast that settle well and don't stir up too easy.

Answer 2

cheesy cloths work well, I have also used nylons before as well...

Answer 3

some homebrew stores rent out filters, usually for just a few dollars plus the cost of the filter papers, they are usually for wine so the micron size could be a little small for beer, you would likely take out most of the live yeast making a secondary fermentation difficult.

Answer 4

http://www.beer-brewing.com/apex/beer_ch...

A nice page I was introduced to while back.

I use a pad filtration system. I will use a finning agent and then filter my beer. It does knock out some of the CO2 but this is a price we pay. I have talked with people that used the filters you mentioned with mixed results.  But overall they were happy.

If you do use a filter you may want to consider forced carbonation to make up any you lost. By using a diffuser in the bright beer tank or set up an in-line system, you can inject a small amount of CO2 into your beer. Keep in mind that CO2 dissolves into solution better at colder temperatures. I can say the filter I have does a great job and I am just tried to infuse CO2 on a couple of occasions. The results are not conclusive but I feel I will be able to get great results with more trials.

You will need the filter and any associated pads or filter cartridges. You will need clamps and a filter line. You may need to purchase a pressure line (I want this) but I have filtered with out it. Filter aids such as isinglass, etc. Consult with your local supplier about the types they recommend for your purposes.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

simple.cheese cloth's

Answer 6

We use finings, availabe from most brewing stores,which will help any sediment to settle to the bottom of your brewing barrel and also a bell shape at the end of our bottling pipe with a stocking (nylon and washed twice before use) on the bell shape, which is dropped into the barrel of beer and then the beer is bottled. Any sediment which then settles in the bottle can be left at the bottom when pouring out the beer  carefully.

Answer 7

I can't figure out why filtering your beer is so important to people.

I love when I pour a beer and there is that bit of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. I'll reserve it, sample half the beer without and then add it in sampling the rest of the beer with. Sometimes it adds depth and character to the beer that you don't get without it... sometimes it just makes it cloudy.

Anyway... if you insist on filtering... you can do it for as low as $15.00 ( http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/... ) or as much as several hundred as you said yourself. But either way remember that you'll need to force carbonate the beer afterwords.