Irish Moss and pH

[clayof2day]

Hey all,

I was listening to the finings archive not too long ago, and they mention that irish moss needs to be rehydrated and it needs an acidic environment to do so.

What do you guys thing the best way to do this at home is? My idea was to save a cup or so of first runnings or pre-boiled wort, add the irish moss before boil, and add rehydrated irish moss for last 5 min. of boil.

Think it will work? Any better ideas?

Matt

[Techie101]

I have a 12 oz water bottle that I fill up half way with water and the Irish Moss at the start of my brew day. When I get to the last 15 mins of the boil it always looks rehydrated enough to me. My last batch was an Ordinary Bitter and it was crystal clear.

[valorian]

I've always jusr rehydrated mine in warm water at least 30 minutes before adding it. I ad it during the last 15 minutes of the boil. I've never worried about the PH and my beers have always cleared nicely.

[DannyW]

Irish moss really belongs in a museum.

I leave mine on the shelf to get dry and dusty. I'll give it to my grandkids someday to tell them how in the old days we used to throw seaweed in our beer.

Now I just grab a WhirlFloc tablet and drop in in the kettle 10 min before the end of the boil. No rehydrating or any of that stuff.

[IroPino]

Irish moss really belongs in a museum.

I leave mine on the shelf to get dry and dusty. I'll give it to my grandkids someday to tell them how in the old days we used to throw seaweed in our beer.

Now I just grab a WhirlFloc tablet and drop in in the kettle 10 min before the end of the boil. No rehydrating or any of that stuff.

10-4 good buddy on the Whirlflock. I like the KISS effect in homebrewing, (Keep It Simple Stupid) and I don't bother with Irish Moss either. I suspect though that my Irish ansestors are kicking the lids off their caskets for me doing that, but fuck em if they can't take a joke. Isn't technology wonderful!

By the way, a cock in your Whirlflock is not a good idea, but it is a great rhyme for Push Eject! (I wonder when they are going to grace us with another great song?)