Beer with a high alcohol content is usually the result of adding an excess (more than 1kg) of ordinary sugar to the wort. This has the effect of ‘thinning down’ the ‘body’ of the final beer by diluting the proteins and complex carbohydrates that are responsible for head retention (ordinary sugar is too pure and doesn’t contain these). If a high alcohol beer is required it is best to use a malt extract powder instead of ordinary sugar. Malt extract will give more body and aid head retention. To increase the head when pouring, raise the bottle away from the glass and pour ‘high’.
Polluted glassware is by far the most common cause. Grease, salt, soap residue and detergent etc will kill the head on the beer. The beer glass may be dirty, or may not have been rinsed thoroughly after washing. Ensure glassware is spotlessly clean.
Also, if the beer is being drunk with greasy or salty food or snacks (chips, crisps, peanuts etc), the grease or salt will make its way from the food to your lips to the beer, and the head will suffer its effects.
The beer may not be fully carbonated (see section: Under Carbonation)
Residual sterilant or detergent in the bottles/barrel will have the same effect as polluted glassware (above). Ensure these are thoroughly rinsed with cold tap water prior to filling.
Comments
(more than 1kg) of ordinary sugar to the wort. This has the effect of
‘thinning down’ the ‘body’ of the final beer by diluting the proteins and
complex carbohydrates that are responsible for head retention (ordinary
sugar is too pure and doesn’t contain these). If a high alcohol beer is
required it is best to use a malt extract powder instead of ordinary sugar.
Malt extract will give more body and aid head retention.
To increase the head when pouring, raise the bottle away from the glass and
pour ‘high’.
residue and detergent etc will kill the head on the beer. The beer glass may
be dirty, or may not have been rinsed thoroughly after washing. Ensure
glassware is spotlessly clean.
Also, if the beer is being drunk with greasy or salty food or snacks (chips,
crisps, peanuts etc), the grease or salt will make its way from the food to
your lips to the beer, and the head will suffer its effects.
The beer may not be fully carbonated (see section: Under Carbonation)
Residual sterilant or detergent in the bottles/barrel will have the same effect
as polluted glassware (above). Ensure these are thoroughly rinsed with cold
tap water prior to filling.