First beer ever! All grain my own recipe

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I just started brewing in May. Started with one gallon all grain. Here is my first beer and some of the equipment i use/made!

My own recipe, imperial maple stout with uk fuggle hops. 9.8%abv 53ibu

FG was 1.016 didnt take a pic sorry. Used US-05 yeast in a swamp cooler at 60-63 degrees.

Came out great! Nice caramel notes with a touch of chocolate. I wish it had more head. It came out nicely carbonated but the head is like non existing?

 

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Pics coming

 

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Moar pics

 

[A2HB]

Did you use any oatmeal in your grist? If not try adding a bit next time it's supposed to be real good for head retention.

Everything looks good though, congrats on going AG from the start, that's the best way IMO

 

[sniktaw]

Ballsy move going with an all grain, big beer, homemade recipe on your first ever home brew. Congrats on it turning out so well. I know next to nothing about stouts, so I'm of little help there. How long have they been in the bottle? If you only brewed them a couple of months ago, I'd try to save a couple until Christmas or New Year's at least. You'll be surprised at the changes in flavors as it ages.

 

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I didnt put oatmeal, just flaked barley. Ill try oatmeal next time. I can use the stuff from the grocery store?

My effecincy is only like 66% if my math is right. I have to brew small scale cause im in a tiny condo. I just got two two an a half gallon glass fermenters. Thats going to prolly max out my equipment lol

I fermented for 20 days then bottled with carbo drops. Im aging two 750ml bottles for a later date!

 

[Calypso]

I didnt put oatmeal, just flaked barley. Ill try oatmeal next time. I can use the stuff from the grocery store?

My effecincy is only like 66% if my math is right. I have to brew small scale cause im in a tiny condo. I just got two two an a half gallon glass fermenters. Thats going to prolly max out my equipment lol

I fermented for 20 days then bottled with carbo drops. Im aging two 750ml bottles for a later date!

Yes, quick oats. 66% efficiency isn't terrible.

Regarding the lack of head - is it that the head forms and dissipates quickly (poor head retention), or doesn't form at all? If it's the latter, try a more aggressive pour (from a greater height, letting it essentially splash into the glass). Apologies if I'm stating the obvious.

 

[EndOfBeans]

Its almost non existing, i used the carbo drops if that makes a difference? Im bottling an IIPA this wed i hope this one comes out better

 

[Calypso]

Carbonation drops are okay. But using a priming sugar calculator and doing it yourself is going to let you customize your carbonation to the particular style. For example, your imperial stout should be carbonated less than, say, a Saison. How long ago did you bottle this beer?

Try the aggressive pour at least, see if that helps for a head.

 

[desabat]

First things to look at would be
-did u underprime
-use of soaps for cleaning
-any equipment with residual oils touch the beer

Hows the mouthfeel? Does it feel flat?

Did you cap your bottles or use swingtops?

 

[EndOfBeans]

Used a whole packet of US-05
Starsan cleaner

It does feel a little flat!
I cap bottles

My mash temp was about 154

What ratio of oatmeal would you guys suggest to hit like 5-10% of grain bill?

 

[Calypso]

Used a whole packet of US-05
Starsan cleaner

It does feel a little flat!
I cap bottles

My mash temp was about 154

What ratio of oatmeal would you guys suggest to hit like 5-10% of grain bill?

How long has it been in bottles? A big beer like this is going to take a while to carbonate.

 

[m00ps]

agreed. the yeast are probably not all too healthy which would probably slow carbonation

 

[RmikeVT]

Honestly, buy the look from your picture it doesn't look like your beer is very carbonated. High ABV beers take a little while longer to carbonate, so save at least one bottle and wait a few weeks, then see if it still isn't carbonated. Most beers with carbonation don't have no head as you've mentioned, but rather don't have head retention.

If you used flaked barley that should aid in head/retention as will any form of wheat and rye. I often add a small proportion 5% of Wheat Malt, Flaked Wheat or Flaked Oats to my brews to help out with head retention.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

As others have said, could just be under carbonated so far, but I've also heard that using too much irish moss will kill the head retention.

 

[JimRausch]

Here's a little trick I picked up from one of the oldtimers on this forum:
Get a 10cc syringe(ask your vet, forget the MDs they have too many regulations). Draw up 1/2 of the syringe with beer, then 1/2 syringe air. Inject the whole thing back into your beer. Instant foam. Apparently way back, long time ago, Guinness used to supply syringes in their 6 packs.

 

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Update. A few bottles are coming out much better carbonated