Jamil Z's Oatmeal Stout

I brewed up a batch of Jamil Z's Quaker Oatmeal Stout. This stuff tastes and looks delicious. The one issue I have is that it has zero head retention. Halfway through the glass there isn't a single bubble on the surface. The carbonation seems fine (force carbed). Is there anything about the grain bill that might lead to poor retention? Nothing about my process has changed and my drinking glasses are the same and washed the same as always.

Any thoughts?

Quakers Stout (Jamil)
Brew Type: All Grain
Batch Size: 5.50 gal
Boil Volume: 7.75 gal Boil Time: 75 min
Actual Efficiency: 74.3 %

Ingredients Amount Item Type % or IBU
6.50 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) UK (3.0 SRM) Grain 50.4 %
3.00 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 23.3 %
1.00 lb Oats, Flaked (1.0 SRM) Grain 7.8 %
0.75 lb Victory Malt (25.0 SRM) Grain 5.8 %
0.65 lb Chocolate Malt (400.0 SRM) Grain 5.0 %
0.50 lb Black Barley (Stout) (500.0 SRM) Grain 3.9 %
0.50 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 90L (90.0 SRM) Grain 3.9 %
1.88 oz Goldings, East Kent [4.80%] (60 min) Hops 30.0 IBU
2.00 tsp Irish Moss (Boil 10.0 min)

OG: 1.061
FG: 1.016

Mash: Single infusion at 154 F.

Maybe the extract. Have you listened to this yet?

The Brewing Network.com - Brew Strong: Brew Strong: 09-01-08 Head Retention

If not, you should. If so, then OK.

I'll give that a listen.

There is no extract in that recipe. It's all grain.

I did the same recipe but all grain, I never had a problem with head retention. I am just carbing it now.

Could the heavy dose of irish moss be the culprit?

jayhoz said:

Could the heavy dose of irish moss be the culprit?

Click to expand...

Entirely possible. I've notice diminished head retention after starting to use Whirlfloc tabs.

I only use clearing agents on beer that you can see through. I'm not concerned about clarity on stouts.

Good point.

I was surprised at how clear this thing looked from the get go. Racking to the primary looked like it had been sitting in a secondary for a month.

You live and you learn.