Are you a beer enthusiast who loves exploring different beer styles and flavors?
Have you ever wondered about the difference between filtered and unfiltered beer?
If not, Congratulations! You landed on the right page. This blog explains it all!
What Does Filtered and Unfiltered Beer Means?
A true beer lover knows what filtered and unfiltered beer is.
But if you haven’t had any experience with beer, here’s what you need to know about both beers.
The primary difference between them is the filtration step after fermentation and bottling.
The beer that manufacturers filter before bottling is called filtered beer.
And if they pack it as such without filtering, it’s unfiltered beer.
Both differ widely in terms of appearance, aroma, taste, etc.
Appearance
The filtered beer is clean and glittering pale, whereas the other has a cloudy or hazy appearance.
Presence of the Fermentation Remnants
The former beer has no residual yeast, hops, or malt, whereas the latter has them.
Aroma
As filtered beer is free of fermentation residual and is not bottled directly, it has a soft and subtle aroma.
On the other hand, unfiltered beer has a powerful fragrance.
Difference in Textures
Unfiltered beer is grainy relative to its filtered counterpart.
Taste of the Beers
Filtered beer has a crisp, clean taste, whereas its unfiltered counterpart has a strong flavor.
Why Are Some Beers Filtered?
You might wonder why manufacturers spend extra money and time filtering the beer.
If so, you need to read this out!
To Achieve Clarity
As you know, beer is produced by fermenting malt and hops.
The fermenting agent is yeast.
When the process ends, the liquid obtained is beer, which is hazy.
Most people prefer to have a clear beer.
That’s why to achieve clarity and brightness in the drink, it undergoes filtration.
Effect on Flavor
The unfiltered beers have a strong flavor that not everyone likes.
They are filtered for a stable, soft, and subtle drink.
Increases the Shelf-life
During filtration, yeast, bacteria, or any other impurity that can spoil the beer is removed.
In this way, the beer stays fresh for a longer time.
Calorie Content
The filtered beer is slightly less caloric than the unfiltered one. Another reason to buy it!
Hope now you are clear about the need for filtration!
Which Beer is Healthier?
Choose the unfiltered version when choosing a beer that positively impacts your health.
It has a lot of nutrients that are mentioned below.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that fight against the free radicals produced in our bodies due to metabolism.
They include flavonoids, polyphenols, etc., which prevent your body from oxidative damage that can cause cancer.
Probiotics
Probiotics are an integral part of our diet.
They are good bacteria that improve our gut health.
Vitamin B Complex
These vitamins are essential for DNA synthesis, energy production, brain functioning, and red blood cells formation.
Moreover, they also improve cardiovascular health.
Minerals
The unfiltered beer’s minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium are good for bones, muscles, and nerve function.
They also keep the fluid balance in your body.
Due to these reasons, unfiltered beer dominates its filtered counterpart.
What Are the Potential Risks of Having Unfiltered Beer?
Though there are many benefits, unfiltered beer can also be risky. Do you want to know why?
Here you go, then!
May Contain Gluten
Many people are intolerant to gluten.
When they consume gluten-containing unfiltered beer, they experience digestive issues and other health problems.
High Caloric Content
Due to high calories and carbs, it’s not the right pick for obese or diabetic people.
Foodborne Illness
Unfiltered beer has residual yeast and bacteria, which can increase the risk of foodborne illness if not properly handled and stored.
Reduced Shelf-life
If not handled properly, the yeast and bacteria in the drink can spoil it.
Which Beer is Better: Filtered or Unfiltered?
Whether filtered beer is better than unfiltered one depends on personal choices.
If talked about appearance, the filtered one is more appealing.
It has a nice, bright, clear color that gives your glass an aesthetic look.
But in terms of nutrients and flavor, the unfiltered version is the best.
So, it depends on you what you want in your glass.
Is It Possible to Filter Unfiltered Beer at Home?
Have you brewed beer at home and want to filter it at home?
Well! There’s good news for you!
Filtering the beer at home is possible, but it’s time-consuming.
For that, you’ll have to buy a filtering system first.
Using it, you can easily filter the liquid to eliminate residual yeast, hops, and other ingredients.
But it must be noted that you can’t get the results like a commercial filtering process.
Does Filtering Affect the Alcohol Content of the Beer?
The alcohol in the beer results from the breakdown of the sugars in the wort by the action of yeast.
It’s produced during fermentation and mixes with the liquid.
Fermentation only removes the solid residues from the beer and does not affect the alcohol.
Hence, filtering doesn’t disturb the alcohol content of the liquor.
FAQs
Are Filtered Beers More Expensive?
Well, it’s not the filtration process that determines the price of the beer—factors like the ingredients used, brewing, packaging, marketing, and distribution all count.
Yes, filtration involves extra labor and equipment, but it doesn’t make filtered beer more expensive.
So there’s no definite answer to this question.
Does Unfiltered Beer Have More Yeast?
Yes, unfiltered beer has more yeast because it’s not filtered out before bottling.
Which Beer Has a Longer Shelf-life: Filtered or Unfiltered?
Generally, filtered beer has a longer shelf-life because all the impurities and residues are removed.
Therefore, it is less likely to get spoiled than the unfiltered version.
Wrapping It Up
The filtered beer is the one that has undergone filtration before bottling.
In comparison, the processing of unfiltered beer doesn’t involve this step.
That’s why it’s more flavorful, hazy, and has a more intense aroma.
Moreover, both types have their pros and cons.
