Poor Head Retention On My Beer.

Customer_QuestionCustomer_Question Member Posts: 26
edited October 2011 in Beer Brewing
The head on my beer fades really quickly, did i do something wrong and what can i do in future to insure a good head retention?

Comments

  • markomarko Administrator Posts: 76
    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’.
  • beerstarbeerstar Member Posts: 3
    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.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.