Very little head on AG wheat.

[shildebr]

My first all-grain brew is an AHS American Wheat AG kit. I did a single step mash at around 154 and from there on business as usual.

Its been in the keg now for about a week at 40^F and 15 psi. It looks, tastes, and feels carbonated adequately for a wheat beer.

My big problem is that I have very little head formation (less than 1/2"). What could be the problem?

Some background information: Carboys and keg washed with small amount of unscented dish soap, rinsed religiously with water, and then set to dry until time to use.

Once I am ready to use them I let them soak full of iodophor solution and drain. (No rinse).

Glasses are washed in the dishwasher with regular cascade dish detergent. No jet dry.

I know a lot of you will instantly point to the dish detergents in the carboy, keg, and glasses, but I have made batches in the past using the same techniques which produced great head and had good retention. Was I just lucky?

My main questions are:

1) Do the detergents reduce head formation or head retention?

2) How much rinsing do I need to get rid of the detergent's negative side-effects?

3) Does anyone have any other suggestions as to why I'm having a problem?

 

[EdWort]

Don't wash kegs with dish soap. Detergent and kegs = no head retention.

Switch to cleaning with OxiClean or PBW and give things a good hot rinse.

I use Cascade with my Pint glasses, and get good head retention and lace. No jet dry for sho!

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

1) Detergents reduce head retention, head formation is a product of the beer itself, head will still initially form even in a soap glass, but will fall back in immediately. (think coca cola)

2) Unscented Oxy-clean is the same price as detergent. Stop using detergent and avoid all concern. Other wise a sh!t load of rinsing would probably do it.

3) Likely in the recipe or otherwise. Somehow, you lost too many long chain proteins and other pro-foam compounds, or picked-up too many anti-foam compounds (detergent). As long as it tastes good you are OK. Next batch et rid of the detergent.

Good luck!!!

 

[hammer one]

40deg at 15psi is only 2.75 alittle low for a wheat beer you want to get around 3.50 crank your psi up tp about 24. that should fix your problem.

 

[EdWort]

40deg at 15psi is only 2.75 alittle low for a wheat beer you want to get around 3.50 crank your psi up tp about 24. that should fix your problem.

Just don't dispense at that setting. You will get lots of head then.

 

[shildebr]

40deg at 15psi is only 2.75 alittle low for a wheat beer you want to get around 3.50 crank your psi up tp about 24. that should fix your problem.

Thanks! I tried this, shook it up to speed things along (I was thirsty). And first pint had a big frothy head on it!!

The beer tastes better too, more like a wheat. I guess I just didn't notice it because I am fairly new to wheats.