Wine & Beer Finings Compared: Which One Do You Need (and Is It Vegan?)
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A hazy home brew isn't ruined, but it's not the result you were hoping for. Fining agents clear that haze fast, and picking the right one depends on what you're clearing, how quickly you need it done, and whether it needs to be vegan-friendly. Use the filters below to narrow the table down to what's actually relevant to you.
What are you clearing?
Fining Comparison Table
| Product | Use | Vegan? | Clears in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bentonite | Wine, cider (protein haze) | Yes — natural clay | 3–7 days |
| Handcraft Sodium Bentonite | Wine, cider | Yes — natural clay | 3–7 days |
| Young's Wine Finings (2-part) | Wine, 23L | No — chitosan | 24–48 hrs |
| Alcotec 24 Turbo Klar | Wine, cider, turbo wash | No — kieselsol/chitosan | 24 hrs |
| Handcraft Two-Part Wine Fining | Wine, 1 or 5 gallon | No — kieselsol/chitosan | 24–48 hrs |
| Young's CLEAR IT | Wine & beer, up to 270L | No — gelatine | 24–48 hrs |
| Young's Beer Finings | Beer, 23L | No — chitosan | 24–48 hrs |
| Starbrite | Beer & cider | Yes — confirmed vegan, isinglass replacement | Fast, end of fermentation |
| Mangrove Jack's Liquid Beer Finings | Beer | Yes — confirmed vegan & vegetarian | Before bottling/kegging |
| Mangrove Jack's Beer Finings (dry) | Beer, firms sediment | No — gelatine | Before bottling |
| Harris Beer Brite (sachet) | Beer, 5 gallon | No — isinglass | Before bottling |
| Harris Beer Brite (tub) | Beer, 3x5 gallon | No — isinglass | Before bottling |
"Not stated" means the manufacturer doesn't declare the ingredient source on the product — we'd rather say that honestly than guess.
Wine: Bentonite vs Two-Part Finings
These work differently and are often used together rather than as alternatives. Bentonite is a clay that removes proteins, usually added earlier in the process, and is naturally vegan. A two-part fining (kieselsol then chitosan) works faster and is used just before bottling — but the chitosan component means it isn't vegan. For a fully vegan wine, use Bentonite alone and allow extra settling time.
Beer: Isinglass vs Vegan Alternatives
Traditional beer finings are often isinglass-based, like Harris Beer Brite. If you brew for cask conditioning specifically and want a traditional isinglass finish, that's a specialist product we don't currently stock — see the FAQ on our Young's Beer Finings page for more on that. For standard bottling or kegging, and for a confirmed vegan option, Starbrite and Mangrove Jack's Liquid Beer Finings are both explicitly vegan-friendly and work just as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wine finings vegan?
It depends on the type. Bentonite is a natural clay and is vegan. Two-part finings (like Young's Wine Finings) use chitosan, which is crustacean-derived and not vegan.
Are beer finings vegan?
Some are, some aren't. Harris Beer Brite is isinglass-based (fish-derived, not vegan). Starbrite and Mangrove Jack's Liquid Beer Finings are both explicitly confirmed vegan.
Do I need finings at all?
No, they're optional. Beer and wine will clear naturally over time without them. Finings just speed the process up and give a noticeably clearer result sooner.
Can I use wine finings on beer, or beer finings on wine?
Not recommended. They're formulated for different types of haze. Use a fining designed for what you're actually clearing.