How to improve head retention

[MHB]

Ya, not talking about health effects, just the fact that detergents are bad for head - as we all know.
There is no beneficial amount of detergent to add to beer, so I aim to add none.
M

 

[kaiserben]

The acid in it will rot meat and clean coins.

No it won't.

http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/acid.asp

 

[Yob]

Wheat I find is the biggest aid, that and appropriate rests, most of my brews contain a minimum of %10 wheat (AIPA / APA) and find I get wonderful lacing every time.

Glassware and detergents are a killer but now we're using perc in the dishwasher I find that I don't need to do anything to glassware.

 

[manticle]

I am not sure if MHB is inferring health risks or the surfactant being a head retention killer.

I know they say "Don't fear the foam" but I have wondered more than once about a surfactant of any sort being washed off my fermenter walls into my beer. h34r:

Fair enough. My experience of starsan in kegs, glasses and everywhere else is that it has no negative effect on head. I mash as mentioned, use starsan in kegs, fermenters, etc and when I want a really clean glass and get dense foam which lasts well and clings to the glass.

 

[kaiserben]

now we're using perc in the dishwasher

Could you elaborate on this (ie how much do you use?, do you just pour powdered perc into the compartment that a dishwasher tablet would go?, etc)

 

[Yob]

I'd have to ask the missus who usually does that, couple of tea spoons I'd suspect, yep just in the little compartment thing.

As a side, the missus tells me that the whole dishwasher is a lot cleaner and smells better now we've switched to perc and everything is just as clean as when using expensive dishwasher cube thingies.

 

[MHB]

Been using it in the dishwasher for years, works a treat on Espresso machines to.
M

 

[Dae Tripper]

Please excuse my ignorance but what is "perc"

 

[Judanero]

Sodium Percarbonate

 

[Dae Tripper]

Cheers Judanero. The best place to get it?

 

[Spiesy]

Neither is beer. Lol.

Actually, good beer contains lots of positive things.

Too much of it is bad for you.

I'd hazard a guess that glass of all-natural beer is a shitload better for you than a glass of Coke.

 

[Spiesy]

No it won't.

http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/acid.asp

Seen and raised.

http://www.csiro.au/helix/sciencemail/activities/cleaningwithcola.html

 

[zeggie]

Cheers Judanero. The best place to get it?

No name/coles/woolies unscented napisan is a cheap easy place.

 

[Adr_0]

Awesome thread, lots of good advice and some to take myself.

Does lagering contribute to good head retention? If so/not, then why?

What about splashing beer?

 

[Spiesy]

I wouldn't imagine lagering would do much to head retention, it's more about flavour development.

 

[MartinOC]

No name/coles/woolies unscented napisan is a cheap easy place.

Expensive way to buy Perc.... Most of those products are generally less than 30% Perc (still works OK), but the pure stuff can be purchased for less than $2/Kg. http://aussiehomebrewer.com/topic/83754-bulk-buy-traders-contact-details/

Keep an eye on the BB forum & get in on one in your area.

 

[Mr B]

Hmmm, perc in the dishwasher

Does anyone use napisan/disan in there?

 

[slcmorro]

Use a small amount of carapils in your beer, any style. Jobs done.

 

[Mr B]

I have to say as well MHB, a lot of talk about head without a double entendre

Now that's raising the bar...........

 

[Goose]

For those who have not seen this it adds a bit of weight behind why mants uses starsan spray prior to using his glasses:


http://brulosophy.com/tag/head-retention/


hard to argue with these results: