What natural method is used to clear beer?

Allowing yeast to flocculate and settle out is a natural method used to clear beer. Flocculation is the process where yeast cells clump together and settle to the bottom of the fermentation vessel after fermentation is complete. This natural settling process results in a clearer beer, as the yeast and any other suspended particles are removed from the beer when it is racked, or transferred, to another container for conditioning or packaging.

This method is fundamental in brewing practices because it relies on the inherent characteristics of the yeast itself. Some yeast strains are more prone to flocculate than others, and brewers often choose specific strains based on the desired clarity of the final product as well as other flavor and fermentation profile considerations.

While other methods, such as using fining agents or filtration, can also be effective in clarifying beer, the process of yeast flocculation is one of the most natural and traditional approaches, reflecting the beer’s own biochemical processes.