Ferment between 68 to 72 degrees at 1 bar (15psi) using a spunding valve.
Amount of Gelatin for 5 Gallons
Typical dosage: 1 teaspoon of unflavored gelatin (e.g., Knox brand) per 5 gallons of beer is a common and effective amount. This translates to roughly 2.5–3 grams if you're measuring by weight.
For your 5-gallon Kölsch, 1 teaspoon should suffice, though you can adjust slightly (e.g., 1.5 teaspoons) if your beer is particularly hazy and you want extra clarification.
Process
Sanitize Equipment: Before starting, sanitize anything that will touch the beer (e.g., measuring spoon, small bowl, whisk or fork, and any funnel or syringe you might use to add the gelatin to the keg).
Prepare the Gelatin:
Measure 1 teaspoon of unflavored gelatin into a small, clean bowl or cup.
Add about 1/4 cup (60 mL) of cold water (ideally distilled or pre-boiled and cooled) to the gelatin. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to "bloom" (it will absorb water and swell).
Heat the Mixture:
Gently heat the bloomed gelatin mixture to dissolve it. You can do this by:
Microwaving it in short bursts (5–10 seconds at a time) until it reaches about 150°F (65°C). Stir between bursts to ensure it dissolves fully. Do not boil—boiling (above 170°F/77°C) can reduce gelatin's effectiveness.
Alternatively, heat it on the stovetop in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until fully dissolved.
The result should be a clear, smooth liquid with no granules remaining.
Cool Slightly: Let the dissolved gelatin cool to around 80–100°F (27–38°C) so it’s not too hot when added to your cold beer (to avoid thermal shock or off-flavors).
Add to the Keg:
Since your Kölsch is already kegged and chilled to 32°F, open the keg lid carefully (release any pressure first) and pour the gelatin solution directly into the beer. If you’re worried about contamination, you can use a sanitized syringe or funnel to inject it through the liquid port instead.
Gently swirl or rock the keg to mix the gelatin evenly, but avoid excessive agitation since the beer isn’t carbonated yet.
Seal and Wait:
Reseal the keg and let it sit at 32°F for 2–7 days. The gelatin will bind to yeast, proteins, and haze-causing particles, pulling them to the bottom of the keg as sediment. For a Kölsch, 48–72 hours is often enough, but longer (up to a week) can yield even clearer results.
Force Carbonate:
After the settling period, proceed with force carbonation. Use your preferred method (e.g., 10–12 PSI at 32°F for about 7–10 days for a Kölsch, or a faster burst-carbonation approach). The sediment should stay at the bottom during this process.
When you draw the first few pours, they might contain some sediment—discard these until the beer runs clear.
Tips
Temperature: 32°F is ideal for gelatin to work efficiently, as cold temperatures enhance flocculation.
Timing: Adding gelatin post-kegging but pre-carbonation, as you’re doing, is a great approach—it minimizes disturbance of the sediment later.
Clarity: Kölsch is traditionally bright but not crystal-clear like a Pilsner, so don’t overdo the finings if you want to preserve its slight natural haze.
That’s it! Your Kölsch should be noticeably clearer after this process, with a clean, crisp presentation. Let me know if you’ve got questions about tweaking it further!
