Head retention

[Kiltlifter]

How to get better head retention? My recent porter pours out this nice brown head but it quickly disappears. My "dream" is to someday have a nice thick head on the brew that lasts a goodly amount of time and leaves quality lace rings on the sides of the glass.

Assuming that I've got nice clean glassware what can I change in the brewing process to get closer to my goal?

[brewmonkey]

Wheat (malted or torrified) and oats are a good source of the proteins essential for the formation and retention of a good head.

If this is an all grain beer you might benefit from a rest in the 122-130 range for about 15 minutes before you head up to your saccharification rest.

[Kiltlifter]

Wheat (malted or torrified) and oats are a good source of the proteins essential for the formation and retention of a good head.

If this is an all grain beer ...
So its mainly a matter of having enough proteins in the brew? I'm still at the extract stage (3rd batch) and it might be awhile before I even try a partial mash brew. Thankx for the info!

[brewmonkey]

With extracts you might go for some specialty grains in a steep like a touch of carapils which will also aid in head retention and body of the beer. A small amount can go a long way.

[GunNut76]

Or you could use a heading liquid...CLICK (http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/additvs.asp) it's right after the gypsum. Link is to my LHBS, but you will probably find it elsewhere.

[hemogoblin]

Whenever I use Cara-Pils the beers have this huge, fluffy head that's still there even after the beer's finished. I use about 8 oz in some all-grain brews. Can be used for extract too tho, to my knowledge.

[S.F.B.]

I mini mash and use cara pils in many of my brews. Most get the nice creamy fluff all the way to the bottom.

[GunNut76]

Doesn't carapils have to be mashed? Or does the small amount that a extract brewer would use not matter too much?

[Beerconnoisseur]

Originally posted by GunNut76
Doesn't carapils have to be mashed? Or does the small amount that a extract brewer would use not matter too much?

It doesn't have to be; however, you only get about 20% utilization.

[paul84043]

I see the same thing with the Cara-Pils in the extract kits. Fantastic head formation all the way down, it's really good stuff.

[LorenzoJ]

So...... used as a specialty grain ( no mashing ) about how much Cara-pils would you want to use for head retention

[SoxyinMO]

Hey kids, I'm reviving this because I really need to have Lorenzo's question answered:

used as a specialty grain ( no mashing ) about how much Cara-pils would you want to use for head retention?

I'm putting together an Imperial Stout and want to use Cara Pils to add to the mouth-feel and head retention; I was thinking 2 oz for a five gallon batch; extract with specialty grain. I don't want it thick enough to chew, neither do I want any diacetyl; but I do want it to wrap around your tongue like velvet...

Thanks.

[markaberrant]

Originally posted by SoxyinMO
Hey kids, I'm reviving this because I really need to have Lorenzo's question answered:

used as a specialty grain ( no mashing ) about how much Cara-pils would you want to use for head retention?


1/2 lb per 5 gal batch should do it.

[SoxyinMO]

Thanks Mark...

[corkybstewart]

And sox, I used oatmeal also in my Imperial stout, and molasses. The oatmeal will also give it a silky smoothness. I may be extreme but I use about 1.5 lbs per 5 gallon batch, and up to 1 pound of carapils.

[SoxyinMO]

excellent...thanks corky!

[Mill Rat]

Originally posted by corkybstewart
And sox, I used oatmeal also in my Imperial stout, and molasses. The oatmeal will also give it a silky smoothness. I may be extreme but I use about 1.5 lbs per 5 gallon batch, and up to 1 pound of carapils.

1.5 lbs of oats? What's your total grain weight, and how many days does it take to sparge?

[corkybstewart]

For 10 gallons I use 3 lbs oats in 25 lbs total, and I've never had any trouble sparging. Just make sure the oats are well mixed in with the other grains. Likewise I've used 10 lbs wheat in a 25 lb grain bill with no trouble sparging. I once did a 50/50 hefeweizen but I used a sack of rice hulls just in case.