At Tun Brewing Company, we believe that great beer should be for everyone. Whether you’re a lifelong beer enthusiast, a casual drinker, or someone exploring the world of craft brews for the first time, we want you to enjoy our beers without compromise. That’s why we’ve committed to making our beers 100% vegan.
For many people, the idea that beer might not be vegan comes as a surprise. After all, it’s made from grains, hops, yeast, and water—ingredients that are naturally plant-based. But the process of clarifying beer, traditionally done with an animal-derived product called isinglass, is where animal products often slip in.
What Is Isinglass and Why We Don’t Use It
Isinglass is a substance made from the dried swim bladders of fish, historically used in brewing to help clear beer by binding to yeast and protein particles. While effective, it comes at an ethical cost—it excludes anyone who avoids animal products, whether for ethical, environmental, or dietary reasons.
At Tun Brewing, we’ve chosen a different path. By using vegan finings instead of isinglass, we can achieve the same bright, clear finish in our beers without relying on animal products.
Our Vegan Fining of Choice: Super F
Vegan finings are plant-based or mineral-based alternatives that work much like isinglass, but with no animal involvement. There are a few options, however, the one we use is called Super F.
Super F is a type of silica-based fining agent designed to clarify beer without the use of animal products like isinglass. It’s made from amorphous (non-crystalline) silicon dioxide — essentially a highly purified, food-safe form of silica. Because it’s mineral-derived, it’s 100% vegan and allergen-free.
Why We Like Super F
-
Vegan & inclusive – no animal products involved.
-
Efficient – works quickly, producing bright beer without long waiting periods.
-
Neutral – doesn’t alter taste, colour, or aroma.
-
Consistent – provides predictable results across different beer styles.
Super F is essentially a “magnet” for haze-causing proteins. By binding them together and dropping them out of suspension, it helps us achieve the same brilliant clarity that traditional finings like isinglass would, but in a way that keeps the beer 100% vegan.
Why We Brew Vegan
For us, brewing vegan beer isn’t just about technique—it’s about values. Craft beer has always been about community, creativity, and inclusivity. We want anyone who picks up a can of Tun Brewing beer to feel welcome, regardless of their dietary choices or ethical beliefs.
By making our beers vegan, we’re removing barriers. Vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians, and anyone who simply prefers a more sustainable pint can all raise a glass together. It’s a small change in the brewing process that makes a big difference for inclusivity.
There’s also the environmental aspect to consider. Choosing plant-based solutions over animal-derived products is often gentler on the planet. It’s a way for us to stay true to our commitment to sustainability, which goes hand-in-hand with brewing responsibly sourced, high-quality beer.
The Result
The outcome of this approach is beer that’s every bit as delicious, refreshing, and true to style as you’d expect. From hop-forward IPAs to smooth stouts all our beers are brewed with clarity, flavour, and conscience in mind.
At the end of the day, beer is about connection—sharing moments, stories, and laughs over a pint. By making our brews vegan, we ensure that no one has to sit out. Everyone is welcome at our table, and everyone can enjoy a glass of our beer!
