anyone else make Root Beer?

[danno]

... and yes, I'm talking about the non-alcoholic, kegged root beer...

I always have a keg of Schilling's grocery store extract root beer on hand, and everyone loves it. Here's my dilemma, and it's really a presentation issue, I get zero head retention. So even though the root beer is fully carbonated, 15 seconds after pouring, there's no head.

Since I know just enough about brewing to be dangerous, the idea of steeping some Carapils came to mind for some head retention. Has anyone tried this, or has any other ideas, or reasons I'm being an idiot for thinking this way?

[fretlessman71]

IF someone can come up with a way to make the head more like a Guinness than a sudsy standard root beer, I'd be thrilled as well. I'd love to try this!

[sallad]

just for the record, guiness gets that suds head from being nitrogenated as opposed to carbonated. not sure of all the details there, but buy any beer in those pub cans - guiness, boddingtons, etc - and they get that creamy head like no other brew.

i don't believe nitrogenation is very realistic for the homebrewer though.. any one know any more on this?

[BREWERDLUX]

FOLKS I HAVE DONE LIKE DANNO AND USED THE STORE BOUGHT EXTRACTS SEVERAL TIMES. THE FIRST TIME I SIMPLY ADDED THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNTS OF SUGAR LIKE THE LABEL SAID. I FOUND, (LIKE YOU) THAT IT HAD LITTLE OR NO HEAD. THE NEXT BATCH I USED ABOUT HALF THE AMOUNT OF SUGAR THAT WAS CALLED FOR AND THE REST I USED HONEY. THE HONEY ADDED A NICE FLAVOR AND ALLOT OF HEAD RETENTION. TRY IT IT WORKS.

[danno]

sallad, anything's possible for a home brewer, it's all just a question of money! :D My research indicates you need a "beer gas" tank, (70/30 no2/co2), a nitrogen regulator, and a stout tap. Prices are roughly comparable to a co2 setup, (except the tap, which is pricey..), you just need another complete setup...

Jeff, thanks for the tip on the honey, I'll have to give that a try...