UK low carbonation and head on pints

[Crafty_Brewer]

Hi everyone, I am sure this topic is a can of worms. I recently made a strong bitter and kegged it, of course it’s rather tasty.

My only complaint was it had no head. My keezer is at 38F (I know, too cold for UK styles, but that’s the middle ground for all the different styles I brew), and I set the secondary regulator to that keg for 5 psi; that should be 1.9 vols according to everyone’s favorite carb chart.

I run 4mm ID EvaBarrier tubing, and swapped my 5’ section out for a 3’ section; 3’ is the minimum length I can attach and still open my keezer lid. It still had no head, but the pour improved from a trickle to a slow pour.

I ended up bumping the psi up to 8, which ought to be about 2.2 vols, and it now has an adequate head, it pours good, and I like the balance a lot better too.

From what I’ve read this seems to be closer to the bottled/export versions of UK ales, but further away from the pub style.

In the short term I’m considering getting some larger ID EvaBarrier tubing so my 3’ section has less resistance, and I can run the psi lower and hopefully still maintain a good head on the pints.

Long term I’m going to add nitro since I want that for stouts anyways, and apparently the northern UK styles that have head on a beer from a sparkler is supposed to be a creamy head anyhow.

I have read that the southern UK styles prefer no head, but more carbonation.

How do you all like your UK beers in terms of vols of co2, and head or no head, and anyone running nitro for a creamy head?

Very long term, well after I add nitro to my setup, I might have to rig up an engine, sparkler, and breather.

 

[Peebee]

I get terrific heads on "UK" beer without trying (no "special" head creating ingredients) ... and serve it at a "proper" UK carbonation of about 1.1 volumes (about 1PSI ... 100ish millibar, use a propane secondary regulator). "Nitro"? You are joking aren't you. I do not include myself as "everyone" if that means using "carb charts"! They are entirely useless for UK "traditional" beer. And what's the length beer tube got to do with it?

Strong beers can be the hardest to get a head on. 4 or 5% abv are easiest. But I wouldn't care if there was little or no head. But not flat! (Certainly not fizzy either) Read my aging essay on the subject if you like:



I do use handpumps (they do subject the beer to a relatively high pressure for an instant). I do not use sparklers, but do have solenoid valves to close the outlets when not used and they are very restrictive and probably do the same job. Don't get a breather, they are for Pubs not homes.