Home Brew Chemicals & Additives: The Complete A–Z Guide
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Home brewing uses a surprising number of chemicals and additives, and it isn't always obvious what each one does. This A–Z guide explains every additive we stock, what it's used for, and where to find a full guide.
Stabilising and Protecting
Campden tablets
Pre-measured sodium metabisulphite tablets. Used to suppress wild yeast in fruit must, protect finished wine, and remove chlorine from water. Shop · Guide
Sodium metabisulphite
The powder form of Campden tablets: better value for larger batches and rinse solutions. Shop · Guide
Potassium sorbate (wine stabiliser / fermentation stopper)
Stops yeast reproducing so a finished wine, cider or mead can be sweetened without refermenting. Shop · Guide
Wine sweetener
A non-fermentable sweetener for sweetening finished wine after stabilising. 50ml · 250ml
Acids and Acidity
Citric acid
Gives a fresh, zesty lift; the acid most country wine recipes use. Shop
Tartaric acid
The main grape acid; stable and ideal for a "winey" character. Shop
Malic acid
The apple acid, for crisp sharpness in apple wines and cider. Shop
Acid reducer
Calcium carbonate that neutralises excess acidity in wine and cider. Shop
Full guide: Citric vs Tartaric vs Malic Acid
Fermentation Helpers
Yeast nutrient
Supplies nitrogen so yeast ferments fully and cleanly. Essential for country wines and mead. 100g · 500g · BrewCo 100g · Guide
Mangrove Jack's nutrients
Style-specific nutrients for beer, wine and cider.
Harris Pure Brew
Removes chlorine and chloramine from brewing water and feeds the yeast with nutrients and vitamins, for a cleaner taste in beer, wine and cider. Shop
Pectolase (pectic enzyme)
Breaks down pectin to prevent permanent haze in fruit wines and cider, and releases more juice. Shop · Guide
Brut Force
A glucoamylase enzyme that breaks down dextrins so beer ferments much drier: for Brut IPAs and lower-carb beers. Make sure fermentation is fully finished before bottling. Shop
Hop Boost
A food-grade enzyme added at the start of fermentation to increase the complexity of hop aroma and flavour and reduce harsh bitterness. Shop
Glut Gone
An enzyme added with the yeast that reduces gluten in barley and wheat beers to below 20ppm ("gluten-reduced"). If you have coeliac disease, test the finished beer before drinking. Shop
Flavour and Body
Wine tannin
Adds structure, body and ageing potential, especially to light fruit and flower wines. Shop · Guide
Oak chips
Add oak character and tannin to wines. Shop
Clearing (Finings)
Bentonite
A natural, vegan-friendly clay that removes proteins and clears wine. Shop
Two-part wine finings
Kieselsol and chitosan: the fastest way to clear most wines. Young's · Clear It · Handcraft Supplies
Full guide: How to Clear Cloudy Wine
Beer finings
Clear beer before bottling or kegging. Young's Beer Finings · Harris Beer Brite · Mangrove Jack's · Starbrite (vegan, also clears cider) · Guide
Head and Carbonation
Heads Up and beer heading liquid
Improve foam stability and head retention in beer. Heads Up · Heading Liquid · Guide
Carbonation drops
Pre-measured priming sugar for carbonating beer in the bottle. Shop
Water Treatment
Gypsum, calcium chloride, Epsom salts, DWB water salts, lactic acid, precipitated chalk and sodium chloride all adjust brewing water. Gypsum · Calcium chloride · Epsom salts · DWB salts · Lactic acid · Chalk · Sodium chloride
Full guide: Brewing Water Guide
Cleaning and Sanitising
ChemSan (no-rinse sanitiser) · VWP (cleaner and steriliser) · BrewCo Sodium Percarbonate · Chemclean · Young's Cleaner/Steriliser · Pipeline (beer lines)
Guides: Best Sanitiser for Home Brewing · How to Clean Beer Lines
Safety First
- Always follow the dose and instructions on the pack.
- Never mix different chemicals, especially chlorine-based products with acids.
- Store everything sealed, dry and out of reach of children.
- Wear gloves and eye protection when handling cleaners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chemicals do I need for home brewing beer?
At minimum, a cleaner and a sanitiser. A Campden tablet to remove chlorine from tap water and beer finings for clarity are useful extras.
What chemicals do I need to make wine?
For country wines: Campden tablets, pectolase, yeast nutrient, acid and tannin. For finishing: finings, plus potassium sorbate if you'll sweeten. Grape wine kits usually include what they need.
Are home brewing chemicals safe?
Yes, when used at the recommended doses. Always follow the pack instructions and store chemicals safely.
Do beer kits need any chemicals?
Just cleaning and sanitising products. Everything else, such as finings or head enhancers, is optional.