Brewers Clarex

[Nick Stanley]

Does anyone know if any NZ brewers are (or have tried) using a product called Brewers Clarex in their beer? It's a stabilizing / clarifying enzyme that can be added to the brew that has the added effect of breaking down the gluten in the malt. So it makes traditional malt beer gluten free.

[Aarad Russell]

Hi Nick.

I have heard a similar description for White Labs Clarity Ferm so maybe someone has used that for a similar result.

The Basic Brewing Radio podcast had an episode on it too:

September 4, 2014 - Clarity Ferm Gluten Reduction Experiment

Dr. Chris Hamilton of Hillsdale College talks about his experiment attempting to make practically gluten free beers using Clarity Ferm from White Labs.

iTunes | Streaming mp3

Cheers

Aarad

[Peter Smith]

I read about this on bus this am after seeing a huttbrewer post this morning, getting some to put in a US Pale Ale for a friend at work who is intolerant but can cope with a bit of gluten, known recipe to see if it changes the taste in any way.   It will be a big thing if it doesn't as so many people would rather be reducing there Gluten intake.

[Nick Stanley]

Thanks Peter! I'm interested to hear how the brew goes. I'm gluten intolerant but don't really notice too many ill-effects from beer, though I do wonder what they might be doing to my stomach long-term. Especially my recent love of IPAs, DIPAs and TIPAs (more malt = more gluten?)!
I've recently gone shares in a Williams Warn machine, so will look at adding Clarity Ferm...

[Nick Stanley]

Cheers Aarad. I see that the brew shop sell Clarity Ferm locally. I'm going to give it a try. I haven't listened to the podcast yet, but will do so.

[Dougal]

I've brewed with clarity ferm and a gluten sensitive friend had no problem with the resulting beer. No effect on flavour that I could discern and not very hazy, but I usually correct pH and recirculate the mash anyway. I think my remaining tube is past expiry date now, but I would have liked to try a batch for my bonafide coeliac friend.

There is some weird distribution arrangement when I checked that means that you had to buy it from a North American retailer rather than anyone stocking it locally.

[Nick Stanley]

The Brew Shop has it for sale online. Have you tried them? http://www.brewshop.co.nz/brewing-other/clarity-ferm.html

[Paul Finney]

We have some in the shop here Douglas, the White Labs one that is. 

[Peter Smith]

My Clarity Ferm is here going in the citra amarillo pils