I need more head...

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tranceamerica

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Yeah...I know...don't we all...

Get good carbonation, but fairly small head. (damn..the jokes just keep coming)

I use 1 cup corn sugar, get about 1/4" head. Would like to get maybe 1", with good retention. My retention could be a bit better too. don't want to overcarbonate.

I make a 5 gallon LME brew - ingredients are 6# LME, water, 2oz cascade hops.

What should I add to increase head and retention? I don't think I have any issues with my glassware.
 
this just came up in another recent thread:

http://***********/feature/386.html

You're not going to get very good head with all-extract batches.

you may want to start doing some partial mashes, mix some 2-row and wheat, it only takes about 1/2 pound of each, and steep that at 155*F in a small amount of water for 30 minutes, then add the water to your boil. this will allow you to get some of the benefits of the wheat's head retention.
 
DeathBrewer said:
this just came up in another recent thread:

http://***********/feature/386.html

You're not going to get very good head with all-extract batches.

This is not true. I get great head retention with extracts, but if you do not use steeping grains, it is much more challenging. Steeping grains add proteins that will aid in head retention. Your recipe does not indicate that you use them. Try some in your next batch if you have not done so previously.
 
DeathBrewer said:
this just came up in another recent thread:

http://***********/feature/386.html

You're not going to get very good head with all-extract batches.

you may want to start doing some partial mashes, mix some 2-row and wheat, it only takes about 1/2 pound of each, and steep that at 155*F in a small amount of water for 30 minutes, then add the water to your boil. this will allow you to get some of the benefits of the wheat's head retention.

Ok, so to a typical receipe, I might add:

1/2 lb wheat malt (cracked)
1/2 lb 2 row (cracked)
both steeped in 155*F water for 30 min
(if I'm doing a PM brew, I could just add 1/2 lb wheat malt to my 2 row grain bill for the mash, correct?)

the article also mentions flaked barley for head retention. How does one add flaked barley, and how much?
 
tranceamerica said:
Ok, so to a typical receipe, I might add:

1/2 lb wheat malt (cracked)
1/2 lb 2 row (cracked)
both steeped in 155*F water for 30 min
(if I'm doing a PM brew, I could just add 1/2 lb wheat malt to my 2 row grain bill for the mash, correct?)

the article also mentions flaked barley for head retention. How does one add flaked barley, and how much?

Yes, you'd just add the wheat to the mash, or use 1/2 pound carapils instead along with your two-row. I use carapils if I want to aid head retention.

I never added flaked barley, so I'm not sure.
 
Viva Viagra.....

Wait that is not what you were talking about

+1 on the Carapils..... If you get a head that last for 4 hours of more you have used too much carapils.....

DRAGGER.....
 
flaked barley also needs to be mashed, so you'd want to do the same partial mash as you would with the wheat.

i would suggest getting into partial mashing and using more grains. With using primarily extracts, you're not getting the most out of your beers.

if you want, PM me and i can give you some simple partial mash recipes and techniques that will get you started so you can see how easy it is.
 
thanks for the PM suggestion. I've just done two PM brews ... both are problamatic, (off flavors) so I'm focusing back on ME brews to hone my technique before trying PM again. I hope to get back to PM soon, but want to get a few successful batches in before I do..I think my problem is sanitization, so w/any luck it will be a quick transition back to PM.

I would like to get a couple of easy PM ideas though. I'll send you the PM, about PM. :mug:
 
I am having success with head retention by adding 1oz of oatmeal to a 5al batch and boil it for 30 mins when you do your hops scheme, jsut use a grain bag.

good luck
 
I have found that adding a pound of wheat malt extract will do the same thing in terms of head retention and it would be a lot easier than dealing with carapils.

Something to consider trying anyway.



Gedvondur
 
I just make the prehopped kits but I find with the coopers kits if I use a cup and a 1/4 of corn sugar it gives me a huge head. My local brewstore also makes their own kits - I find them ones no matter what I do the head on them is poor.
 
phuiberts said:
I am having success with head retention by adding 1oz of oatmeal to a 5al batch and boil it for 30 mins when you do your hops scheme, jsut use a grain bag.

good luck

I assume this is just plain old oatmeal from the grocery store, not the 'quick oats' variety? How many cups is 1 oz? thanks for the tip.
 
grasshopper1917 said:
I just make the prehopped kits but I find with the coopers kits if I use a cup and a 1/4 of corn sugar it gives me a huge head. My local brewstore also makes their own kits - I find them ones no matter what I do the head on them is poor.

I've found this too - that .75 cups of corn sugar isn't enough. I've experimented with 1 cup & also 1.25 cups. I find that 1 cup gives plenty of carbonation, and 1.25 gives a bigger head, but it goes away quickly in either case.
 
First, buy a scale and bottle your batches with 5 ounces of corn sugar. 21 days at 70°F, it is the law.

Second, once you have your mashing temps well controlled 4 ounces of malted wheat will give up more head than any sane human really desires in a session brew...
 
I will say this again - try using steeping grains if you have not done so. In addition to color, aroma and flavor, they also leave proteins that will provide for head retention. You can keep adding corn sugar to make your brew more carbonated but while you will get lots of bubbles, they won't last (think of Coca Cola) and you raise the risk of making bottle bombs. I use the usual 3/4ths of a cup and get great results.
 
SteveM said:
try using steeping grains if you have not done so. In addition to color, aroma and flavor, they also leave proteins that will provide for head retention.

I use 1-2 lbs of steeping grains with all my extract brews and get gread head retention. My Irish Red keeps a good head and laces all the way down the glass.
Irish_Red.JPG
 
If you're ok with cheating, there's always heading compound. I have a friend who swears by the stuff.
 
Dinbin said:
I use 1-2 lbs of steeping grains with all my extract brews and get gread head retention. My Irish Red keeps a good head and laces all the way down the glass.
Irish_Red.JPG

Are the steeping grains different than the gains that come with the ME kits?
 
duker said:
Are the steeping grains different than the gains that come with the ME kits?

The grains he is referring to are probably like carapils, which I use... I was having a problem with my head retention, so this time around I'm adding 1 pound of Carapils vs the normal 1/2 pound.
 

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