Is head beneficial for all beers?

[smadaus]

So I know the benefits of the head on a beer but should the head be the same for all beer? Will an IPA have the same type and amount of head as a lager? I have noticed that when I order a lager at a bar is seems to have a little head but it fades kinda fast. Is this something I should be trying to achieve if I brew a lager or should I be trying to get the best head I possibly can no matter what beer I brew?

 

[Weezy]

I like head.

+1

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

I rarely get a better head on commercial beer compared to HB. Likely the beer judging guidelines will state if a certain style should have a thin fading head. I suppose one the contributors that actually judge competitions would have a better answer for you.

 

[Darthbrewder]

I think it depends on the style.

Personal preference trumps style in homebrew I think.

 

[Homercidal]

Some styles won't give the same amount, or lasting qualities, of head that others will, simply due to the ingredients that go into them. If you are brewing a style that is described as having a particular kind of head, and you want to submit that in a competition, then you might want to make sure you do what you can to achieve that.

OTOH if you might not care that much about 2" of head on that pale ale you brewed because it tastes so good, then I wouldn't worry about it.

I am just not a person to obsess over head on my beer. If it looks FLAT that is one thing, but many great tasting beers pour with little head or it diminishes quickly, and the beer still smells and tastes great.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Some styles won't give the same amount, or lasting qualities, of head that others will, simply due to the ingredients that go into them.

Not sure if you are talking about beer here.

 

[McKnuckle]

should I be trying to get the best head I possibly can no matter what beer I brew?

Yes. Just know that it will probably depend more on your personal hygiene and how nice you are. But you can see how the beer affects things, too, and report back.

 

[sky4meplease]

If you read the BJCP Style Guidelines the "Appearance" section will give you information about head.
Certain malts like Carapils and Wheat Malt increase foam and head stability.

 

[Darthbrewder]

Yes. Just know that it will probably depend more on your personal hygiene and how nice you are. But you can see how the beer affects things, too, and report back.

This... lmao!

 

[foam_top]

Personal preference trumps style in homebrew I think.

Not sure about others but I agree with that statement.

 

[JLump]

I had a pilsner that happened to turn out with this big, thick, almost "chunky" head. For whatever reason I just loved that head. Ever since then I've been chasing those results for all by beers no matter what the style.

 

[TomVA]

Yes. Just know that it will probably depend more on your personal hygiene and how nice you are. But you can see how the beer affects things, too, and report back.

TomVA

 

[StephanHaus]

Like some of the others have said, the grain bill used will determine a lot of the head retention properties of the beer. You can always add certain grains (f/e: I think carafoam? but not entirely sure) in order to increase head retention. That being said, I personally think a creamy head is good in all beers.