Liquid extract, hops pellets, and thick creamy foam

[MrBJones]

When boiling a five gallon wort, with liquid extract, I get a thick creamy foam that covers about half the surface but eventually disappears after a while. Not sure, but it seems to be greatest after adding hops pellets. Can this foam be skimmed off? should it be?

 

[kristiismean]

no, don't skim it off. The first is probably the heat break. (or cold break, I forget the actual terminology, but is common. and yes, adding pellets also messes with it and can cause it to rise. stir a little bit and it will settle back down.

 

[MrBJones]

no, don't skim it off. The first is probably the heat break. (or cold break, I forget the actual terminology, but is common. and yes, adding pellets also messes with it and can cause it to rise. stir a little bit and it will settle back down.

Yesterday I brewed Austin Homebrew's Sessionfest, full five gallon boil

Crushed Grains steeped at 155 for 25 minutes

8oz English Crystal
1lb Caravienne​

7lbs Extra Pale Liquid Extract

Hops

60 1oz Glacier
15 ½oz Hallertau
5 ½oz Hallertau​

Any time I saw foam, I skimmed it off with a sieve. When taking a gravity reading post-boil, I tasted the wort and it tasted very sweet....not bitter like every other batch I've done. Would this be expected with the recipe, or did I somehow mess with the hops?

 

[TooDogly]

Did you see flecks of green hop material in the foam that you skimmed off? You could have removed hops by skimming and thus changed the flavor. But also I don't think that recipe is meant to be very bitter.

In any case, don't remove the foam. Just let it boil and the foam will die down after a few minutes. If it looks like it's going to boil over just turn down the heat.

 

[day_trippr]

When the wort first comes to a boil the creamy "head" is hot break material. One can skim it if compelled but there's no solid reason to bother.

When hops are pitched they'll immediately rise to the surface and remain there for some time. Skimming at that point is counterproductive...

Cheers!