What is a common method to clarify beer before bottling?

Filtering is a common method used to clarify beer before bottling. This process involves passing the beer through a medium that captures particulates and haze-forming materials, resulting in a clearer final product. Various types of filters can be utilized, including pad filters, plate filters, and cross-flow filters, each designed to remove unwanted solids or yeast without significantly affecting the beer’s flavor or aroma.

In contrast, aging in barrels can impart additional flavors or complexity to the beer but is not specifically a clarification process. Adding sugar is primarily done for carbonation purposes and does not contribute to clarity. Using raw ingredients without treatment would likely lead to increased haze and sediment, rather than clarification. Hence, filtering stands out as the definitive technique for improving the visual clarity of the beer prior to packaging.