Brew head retention - advice requested - Page 2

beesy · 03-24-2009, 02:43 AM

When looking for a new recipe, I ran across a pretty good Mr Wizard reply to this in BYO, 09/07. Basically what everyone else is saying is true. Although, I won't go in depth, here is a list of things to examine/will affect head.

Carbonation levels
Add some foam positive proteins (from wheats/pils)
Hops - higher hops usually have better head
Check your brew cleaning agents and sanitizer - may be leaving a residue killing off your foam
Serving glassware - contaminated with fats (lipstick, dirty water) or detergent may be a foam killer
Brew without adding fat containing ingredients such as coffee, nuts, chocolate

CHansen6 · 03-24-2009, 03:18 AM

This probably isn't of a great deal of help if you do strictly AG. I do AG, but some beers I make are too big, and get supplemented with extract to get up to gravity (RIS, barleywine, bigger bocks, ect). I find using the Gold extract from Briess really improves the head. What seems to be far more retention than I can get from carapils. It might also have something to do with the higher proportion of specialty grains as well.

Denny · 03-24-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Up North

PS...Denny, what kind of fermentation issues are we talking about here? Constant temps? Inconsistent fermenting times? Not enough head space so that the krausen blows off? Trying to learn a little bit more here

In general, underpitching and high fermentation temps, but check out that link I posted. It also describes tests you can do ti help figure out where the problem lies.

beesy · 03-25-2009, 03:32 AM

sorry didn't get to chime in with my actual thoughts yesterday and just listed possibilities as that is prob not what you were after.

My guess is your sanitizer or cleaning agent is leaving a film on your brew equipment or your household detergent is the prob, or at least not helping.

You didn't say if you bottle or keg, so will assume bottle. a lot of my first beers i brewed with exact same sani and cleaner and equip have a lot better head and retention on kegs.

I did a light side cream ale at 1.041 og and with proper carb and the sam adams glasses (etched) i can keep a nice head on even this light a beer all the way down.

Hope this helps.

HOOTER · 03-25-2009, 04:03 AM

CaraPils and lots of hops gave my latest IPA fantastic head retention and lacing.

Matt Up North · 03-25-2009, 03:46 PM

I don't know if you can see it, but my latest Pale Ale had a rock solid head on it. I used a pound of Flaked Rye and a half a pound of wheat in a five gallon batch. The head actually went all the way past the glass and stood there like jello and wobbled back and forth for a few minutes

Also I beat my hot break down into the kettle for a good 10 minutes and have heard that can help with the head retention.

EDIT: By the way, my hand looks freaking huge in this picture. Like a giant holding a tiny glass. Amazing how that works out with the camera angle. Oh well, I am a giant in my own eyes. It reminds me of a picture of my sister.