i have beer that won't clear itself. Gelatin and isinglass is not vegan. Activated charcoal can create off-flavors.
Can diatomaceous earth be used? Probably, like activated charcoal, I would need pretty much of it, and stir it well, if gently, for it to absorb haze. In the other hand, it's mostly silica. Flavorless and tasteless. Or am I missing something?
the only thing i can really find on it is
"Sparkalloid is a wine fining combining a polysaccharide sugar with diatomaceous earth. It carries a strong positive charge, working similarly to isinglass or gelatin to allow particles to precipitate (clump and sink) better before filtering. It’s not ideal for unfiltered beer but has been reported as an excellent fining agent for mead."
byo.com/bock/item/944-just-fine but this is what sparkalloid is
Sparkolloid is a proprietary product made fro m alginic acid extracted from marine brown algae. Alginic acids are polymeric and positively charged;
http://www.uark.edu/depts/ifse/grapeprog/articles/nmc14wg.pdf
its not straight diatomaceous earth
" Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is used to clarify wines and make them appear clear. They are then ready for even finer filtration, like the pre-bottling filtration process. Although DE is not specifically regarded as a fining agent, it does have a specific use in clarification and filtration. "
http://www.wineturtle.com/fining-wine-clarification-agents/enter link description here
I havent been able to really find to much info on using DE, but from many sources, for fining for clarity common agents used are gelatine, casein, isinglass, Sparkolloid, Chitin, bentonite
http://www.brsquared.org/wine/Articles/fining.htm
I would be interested in making a few 1 gal batches and test it out to see if it could be used to clarify, but i have no idea where to get food grade DE from around me.
Make sure it's food grade if you try it
Swimming pool filter DE has been fired and is very different and dangerous if enhailed or ingested being similar to asbestos.
That being said, I'm not sure if it would fine much as it drops, but should make a filter perform better. I've considered mixing in a batch to disperse and then filter using a cartridge water filter, but haven't done it yet.
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