The operation of finings machines depends on the type of finings employed and whether beer is fined at despatch or at rack.
The presence of dry hops in cask may prevent finings from mixing with the bulk of beer if finings are injected into the top of the cask
Range of Values
The volume of finings employed will depend on their nature and the extent of dilution
The volume delivered by finings machines should be ± 10% of the target figure.
Operational Protocols
The volume of finings delivered must be checked for every batch of treated beer; machines should be checked with finings rather than liquor.
The pressure of injection must be maintained to ensure mixing.
Finings machines should be checked for sterility
The viscosity of finings should be reduced by dilution (5) in cooler weather to aid dispersion
Auxiliary finings must not be admixed with isinglass
Batches of fined beer should be identified by using coloured tuts to seal shives
Measurement Protocols
The volume of dispense is checked by dispensing into a measuring vessel, allowing air bubbles to disperse and recording the volume. This should be done every shift for each cask size.
Displaced beer should be checked weekly for the presence of excess finings.
The total amount of finings used should be checked against the rate of addition and the volume of beer treated
When one meter is used to supply more than one head, the volume delivered at each head should be checked.