chill haze

stevo

I have a batch of larger in second week of conditioning and I have put a couple of bottles in the fridge. They have clouded up which I was expecting but I wondered if anyone knows how long it usually takes to clear?

HBO_Staff

When a brew is put in the fridge sometimes it can develop a haze referred to as a 'chill haze'. This is due to haze-producing proteins and polyphenols (primarily from the malt) suspended in the beer. When the beer is chilled these react and clump into tiny particles which reflect light. These particles remain in suspension and make the beer appear hazy.

Chill haze doesn't affect the taste of beer - only the appearance. It is a common 'problem' with home brewers and some beer kits.

Allowing the bottles to warm back to room temperature may reduce the haze. Alternatively, leaving the bottles upright and undisturbed in the fridge for a few weeks will allow time for the protein to settle to the bottom of the bottles, and the beer may eventually clear. Other than that there isn't anything practical that can be done to avoid it. Breweries use techniques to eliminate the problem, but this is not something that can be done by the home brewer in practice.

stevo

Would the protein settle faster at room temp or in the fridge? Or doesn't it make any difference

HBO_Staff

If you want them chilled you would have to leave them in the fridge. Sometimes the haze goes once removed from the fridge and they warm up, but if wanting them chilled try leaving them in the fridge without moving them for a few weeks to help it settle out. It's just a visual thing and is not detrimental to the beer in any way, serve in a glass you can't see through or put a 'stubbie holder' on the bottles to keep them cool would disguise the appearance