Vanilla and head retention

[mookow]

Has anyone else noticed that they get less than average head retention in recipes that use vanilla beans added to secondary?

[Triple Freak]

I haven't noticed that. But then again, I keg. So I have plenty of head no matter what the style or ingredients.

[Chubber]

If you use the whole bean you will get some oils from the bean into your beer. The oils will kill the head.

Use the "pure extract" in the tiny bottle. That will have less oil / flavor unit.

Also, when racking off of the secondary try to be very careful not to get any of the top krausen or oily surface into the racking cane. You leave more behind, but at least your beer will have some head.