Shellfish based clarifying agents?

[PFDarkside]

There are a few beers that give me a wierd reaction, similar to the way I felt after eating an entire lobster (heavy chest and shortness of breath) I assume I have somewhat of a shellfish allergy (shrimp are ok) and I've heard of shellfish based clarifying agents in wine. Are these by any chance used in some beers as well?

[jjpm74]

You might be thinking of Diatomaceous Earth.

http://www.reade.com/Products/Minerals_and_Ores/diatomaceous_earth.html

Harpoon uses it as do many other brewers.

[newportstorm]

Not shellfish, but isinglass (fish bladders) are also used in the brewing industry. Short of calling each individual brewery, no real way to know.

Cheers!

[PFDarkside]

I think Isinglass is what was in my mind. I went to the LHBS on saturday for a beer recipe and I took my mom to get her into winemaking. Her kit included a packet that stated it contained shellfish.

[fatboy570]

The clarifier I use in my wine and mead is called Super Kleer; the package says it is a derivative of shellfish, though It doesnt give specifics

[SoxyinMO]

Dudes, am I glad I read this! Now I'm casting my mind back to what beers and wines I was drinking when I'd get my shellfish reactions...I haven't had one in a while...not since I started drinking mostly homebrews...hmmmmmm.

[BigEd]

Chitosan is derived from shellfish, the shells of lobsters and crabs, and is used as a clarifier for wine. Could be used in beer too I suppose.

[Bilbo Beergins]

Let the xray tech know about your allergy if you ever get a procedure done. If you're allergic to shellfish, you're allergic to imaging dye.

[SoxyinMO]

Originally posted by Bilbo Beergins
Let the xray tech know about your allergy if you ever get a procedure done. If you're allergic to shellfish, you're allergic to imaging dye.

Oh good. something else to worry about :rolleyes: