National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Kit Brewing => Topic started by: Weiss on February 28, 2013, 11:46:15 AM

Title: Head Retention
Post by: Weiss on February 28, 2013, 11:46:15 AM
Anyone got any secrets for improving head retention with kits?  :)
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: Ciderhead on February 28, 2013, 12:47:18 PM
Coopers BE2
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: johnrm on February 28, 2013, 01:29:50 PM
You could use 'heading powder' too.
Available in sachets in your brew-store.
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: Ciderhead on February 28, 2013, 01:47:48 PM
QuoteYou could use 'heading powder' too.
Available in sachets in your brew-store.

All the head shops have been closed John.
http://beersmith.com/blog/2008/06/25/enhancing-beer-head-retention-for-home-brewers/
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: Will_D on February 28, 2013, 04:53:07 PM
I am just waiting for the latest Tube'ism:

Wallpaper paste?

Don't drink beer near a guillotine?
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: Damo on February 28, 2013, 05:09:35 PM
Oh good lord will!

I'll place a tenner on Tube'ism by the end of day  ;D

on topic:

You could try swap out some fermentables for maybe 250g of wheat spray malt
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: Greg2013 on February 28, 2013, 10:11:28 PM
Steep some carapils in a muslin bag in a couple of litres of water and bring to boil and add to wort.
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: LordEoin on March 01, 2013, 04:58:11 AM
use a dirty glass...
or all of the previous suggestions :D
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: loftybush on March 01, 2013, 09:01:01 AM
What fermentables have you been using with your kits?
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: irish_goat on March 01, 2013, 11:22:09 AM
I have done my amber ale recipe twice in a row with the only main difference being the use of wheat malt and carapils. The wheat malt has given far better head retention (imo).
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: LordEoin on March 02, 2013, 03:21:33 AM
Yeah, the wheat malt kicks ass but I generally just stick with 250G carapils.
It's simple to steep, easier to store and you get 4 batches out of a kilo for about 3euro, precrushed.

Avoiding using sugar and brewing to 20L also help.

I've never used heading powder or maltodextrin, and generally stay away from the brew enhancers.
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: Weiss on March 02, 2013, 11:13:16 AM
QuoteWhat fermentables have you been using with your kits?

Usually just a tin of malt extract and have steeped some malt or orange peel if I'm doing a dunkel, wit or choc stout.
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: Garry on March 04, 2013, 09:22:54 AM
Apologies for hyjacking this tread! The carapils sounds interesting but I'm still very much a novice and have never used grains before.

What temperature do you steep the carapils at and for how long?
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: Ciderhead on March 04, 2013, 06:37:04 PM
That's for shaving your legs
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: LordEoin on March 05, 2013, 02:57:06 AM
I generally steep carapils at 65-70C for about 30 minutes. You can steep it in cold water overnight too.

Then strain the liquid and bring it to the boil for a minute to clean it up.
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: Garry on March 05, 2013, 08:33:53 AM
QuoteI generally steep carapils at 65-70C for about 30 minutes. You can steep it in cold water overnight too.

Then strain the liquid and bring it to the boil for a minute to clean it up.

Thanks Eoin 8-)
Title: Re: Head Retention
Post by: LordEoin on March 05, 2013, 02:17:04 PM
no worries. have fun with it  :)