Silica gel as an effective beer stabilizer in breweries.
No chill haze or visible particle formation
Extended shelf life
Full-bodied flavor experience
Improved foam stability
Why is cloudiness in beer a quality issue?
Freshly brewed beer naturally contains dissolved proteins and polyphenols (tannins). When exposed to cold or during prolonged storage, these substances combine to form protein-polyphenol complexes, which precipitate out and appear as visible cloudiness in the beer.
The result: The beer takes on a milky appearance and has a significantly shorter shelf life.
For breweries, this means not only a loss in quality but also economic risks, due to shorter "best-before" dates and product returns.
Silica gel adsorbs the proteins responsible for haze.
Silica gel is a synthetically produced, amorphous silicon dioxide (mSiO₂ · nH₂O). Thanks to its extremely large surface area and fine-pored structure, it selectively absorbs the proteins in beer that cause cloudiness. It is subsequently removed during the filtration process.
The result is a clear, stable beer, with no negative impact on taste or foam formation. Silica gel is considered one of the safest and most effective beer stabilizers worldwide and is widely recognized throughout the international brewing industry.
The use of silica gel extends the shelf life of beer by 180 to 240 days – while maintaining the original taste and foam quality.
Application in the brewing process.
Silica gel is introduced into the brewing process after fermentation and before filtration.
The dosage is typically 300–500 ppm (30–100 g/hl). There are two proven methods:
Batch operation
Add the silica gel directly into the tank containing the beer and allow it to adsorb for at least 5 minutes.
Continuous dosing
Dose continuously into the beer stream, with a residence time in the vessel of at least 3 minutes.
Dry or wet – depending on your process.
Xerogel is particularly well-suited for batch processing and small- to medium-sized breweries: it is easy to dose and has a long shelf life.
Hydrogel offers an even larger surface area and ensures low-dust handling; it is ideal for continuous operation using a silica gel filter.
Poresphere® Brew-Xero
Dry silica gel
- SiO₂ content: >99%
- Specific surface area: >400 m²/g
- Pore volume: 0.9–1.2 ml/g
- Particle size D50: 7–15 µm
- pH value: 6.9–9.0
BATCH & TANK OPERATION
Poresphere® Brew-Hydro
Wet silica gel
- SiO₂ content: >99%
- Specific surface area: >700 m²/g
- Pore volume: 0.6–1.0 ml/g
- Particle size D50: 10–21 µm
- pH value: 2.5–5.0
CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION
What silica gel can do for your brewery.
Reliable protein stabilization for extended best-before dates.
Prevents chill haze and ensures an appealing appearance.
No negative impact on sensory characteristics.
Non-toxic, flavor-neutral, and chemically inert.
Can be used in conjunction with tannic acid, enzymatic agents, or vitamin C.
Available as either a dry or wet product.