Improving the Effectiveness of Isinglass Finings for Beer Clarification by Optimisation of the Mixing Process. Part 1: Laboratory Scale Experiments

In order to optimise the process of fining beer there is a need to model the process in terms of addition, mixing and flocculation. Mixing of beer and finings has been achieved in a small laboratory stirred vessel that enables exact characterisation of the shear conditions and residence time. The performance of the finings was evaluated after settling in Imhoff cones. Results identified an optimum mixing regime comprising two stages; a relatively vigorous and short duration first mix followed by a longer more gentle mix.