Does Fermcap (and -alikes) impact carbonation?

[olie]

I've seen Fermcap (or related products) suggested as a godsend for preventing foam-over.

I'm curious if it has any impact on carbonation. That is, will my final-result beer see any change in "foaminess", or does it somehow "magically" know to only reduce the Kraussen.

That's my #1 question.

Q#2: Is there any other downside to using foaming inhibitors? Is the Kraussening an important part of the brewing process, or is it safe to bypass it this way? Will it alter things like what bubbles-out into the trub? etc.

 

[kev211]

I use it in every batch and still get great carbonation/head retention. I think the reason it doesnt affect it is because it falls out of suspension post fermentation.

Your beer still krausens. It just keeps the krausen in check so it doesnt blow off super violently. Hope this helps! I highly recommend it

 

[bigdawg86]

My experience thus far is that it needs to be added to EACH step of the way... the benefits will NOT carry over from one step to the next. It works fantastic for boiling in Erlenmeyer flask. Works awesome for keeping kettle boiling in check... have yet to find the magic combination for fermentation use. I have tried it a few times but had blowoff once in a lower headspace vessel (Craftabrew Catalyst) , and last night I stirred it into the wort during oxygenating... no blowoff but still found a healthy amount of krausen present (7 gallon plastic bucket with more headspace). Maybe I just need to use more?

 

[Northern_Brewer]

There's some theory floating around that it actually helps head retention, because it protects proteins to some extent if they're not in a foam in the kettle.

I'm not sure about that, but I use related products and although I don't particularly design for head (no torrified wheat etc), I don't think using silicones has particularly affected head. I've not done a proper experiment though.