No head after pouring

[SirSpectre]

I've made at least 10 batches of beer so far since I started brewing earlier in the year ( 4 extract a bunch of all grain). I've bottled every single one. Its about time I solve this issue.

None of my beers have any head when I pour them into a glass! Except maybe the random 1 or 2 per batch. All beers are properly carbonated and definitely feel the proper vols of carbonation, but they have no head, or if they do, its like 1/8"

I have tried pouring warm from the cellar, chilled for 2 hours, 5 hours, 24 hours, 2 weeks. Doesn't make a difference. Am I pouring wrong, or doing something wrong? I've used a goblet, tulip glass (best I've gotten), and pint glasses.

 

[iijakii]

Are you sure they're carbed up decently? Are you washing your bottles with dish soap?

 

[SirSpectre]

They all are. Especially my Belgian dark strong. carbed to 3.1 vols. Definitely high in carbonation. I can feel the bubbles and see them in the glass.

Not washing with dish soap. Clean rinse after pouring and sanitizing with star san on bottle day. If they do need a wash, they are cleaned with PBW.

Glasses are washed with dish soap though.

 

[dkevinb]

They all are. Especially my Belgian dark strong. carbed to 3.1 vols. Definitely high in carbonation. I can feel the bubbles and see them in the glass.

Not washing with dish soap. Clean rinse after pouring and sanitizing with star san on bottle day. If they do need a wash, they are cleaned with PBW.

Glasses are washed with dish soap though.

Soap residue in the glasses might have something to do with it. The recipe could, as well. I typically add half a pound of Carapils (Dextrin) to a five gallon batch and I always have good head retention. Worth a try.

 

[Chiefer]

I'm going with soapy or oily glass

 

[iijakii]

Yeah soap residue with hurt with head retention -- but if he's not getting any head? IDK

For me I don't get much head if I don't chill the bottles for at least a day before opening. But you've mentioned that. Also recipe will impact retention, but even SMASH's can have nice head so .

Feels silly asking -- but are you pouring too gently? Half-way or 3/4s through or so try being a bit more waterfall-y with your pour and see what happens.

 

[SirSpectre]

Yeah soap residue with hurt with head retention -- but if he's not getting any head? IDK

For me I don't get much head if I don't chill the bottles for at least a day before opening. But you've mentioned that. Also recipe will impact retention, but even SMASH's can have nice head so .

Feels silly asking -- but are you pouring too gently? Half-way or 3/4s through or so try being a bit more waterfall-y with your pour and see what happens.

I may be pouring gently. I'll try being a bit more aggressive the pour, and clean a glass really good with PBW and see what happens.

I just made an imperial brown ale with 2/3 lbs of carapils/dextrine and have the same issue. I'll try with that one tonight and see what happens.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Pour more vigorously. Or, pour her one too.

 

[Yooper]

First, do a "salt scrub" on your beer glasses so they are clean and without soap residue (which kills head formation).

Just moisten the glass inside and then sprinkle with table salt. Scrub the glass with the salt all around inside and over the rim, and rinse well. Then dry, and try a beer in it.

Keep soap/dish soap/detergent/Jet Dry far away from your beer glasses!

 

[Psylocide]

If you're really having issues, don't tip the glass... pour straight into the bottom. Start at 4-5" and go up from there until head starts forming.

If that solves it... then you know you were pouring too gently.

If not, then something else weird is going on.

 

[sniktaw]

Might also buy a 6-pack of store bought beer to test against. If the commercial stuff has a nice head, then you can narrow down the problem to your stuff. If it's still lacking, then it is probably the glasses/pour.

 

[SirSpectre]

Its definitely my glasses. Tried one of mine in my pint glass and a plastic disposable. Good head on the plastic, none on the glass. Then I tried a commercial beer i had in a glass. Same result.

Gonna be hand washing my glasses with something else from now on. PBW still work good for that?

 

[balrog]

I can always tell when the wife has refilled the JetDri in the dishwasher. No foam retention at all in the glassware. (originally worded that differently and it just didn't look right).

 

[ncbrewer]

I don't get it. Always washed mine in the dishwasher (no jet dry) and never had any problem.

 

[1977Brewer]

I wash my glasses in hot water. Only hot water, I don't even scrub them. Then I dry with a paper towel. Occasionally one of the kids will wash one in the dishwasher. Never have head retention issues.

 

[whovous]

I never use a dishwasher for my beer glasses. I do use dish soap and very hot water, and let the glasses soak until the water is cool enough to put my hand into it. After I wash, I rinse like a mofo.