Carb

[Mac]

Quick question to those in the know. Last two batches I have brewed seem to have come out ok but there is virtually no head at all, it doesn't seem flat and there are plenty of bubbles when poured. The thing is the house is old and quite cold so although kept at room temperature before shifting to the cellar could it have been too cold and so stifling carbonation. Now that i'm allowed to put the heating on should I bring it back upstairs and put it in front of the radiators for a few days or is all lost?

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi!
Kit or AG?
I've only brewed kits, and I always add maltodextrin to the brew, to improve body and head retention. I've had reasonable success, but I think it depends on the type of beer - ales and stouts turn out better than "lagers" and pale ales.

 

[Leon103]

Carbonation and head retention are two different things. Sounds like your beer is carbing ok.

Further more info is needed to advise in head retention. What ingredients are you using? What glass are you using and how do you wash it. How is your beer stored and how did you clean that vessel?

 

[Brewmarc]

Cirtainly cold temperatures will stifle head retention another thing that really doesn't help is a dirty glass, or residue from a dishwsher or even poorly rinsed glasses. That will dissolve your beers head in seconds.

 

[Mac]

Both beers were kits Winter Warmer and Oaked Rum Ale, plastic fermenting bucket kept under a quilt (have just started using a beer fridge, inkbird 308 and a heatbelt) everything rinsed, sanitized rinsed again and fermented for two weeks no matter what the instructions say, bottles then go into the living room for another week before going down into the bloody cold cellar. Once drunk the bottle is rinsed thoroughly with hot water and left upside down to dry. I don't add any extras just what is in the box.