Head retention.

[BigAlBrewer]

My barreled beer forms a nice head immediately after pouring, but very soon disappears before the last drop from the glass is drunk. Is there something that I can add to my kit brews to help retain a nice beer hugging glass froth. When I drink beer bought in a pub, the head clings to the glass right to the last drop. I would like to emulate this with my brews.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Head retention; don't marry Henry the Eighth .

 

[Hanglow]

Kit beers? Have a search for PGA which you can add at bottling/ packaging. Otherwise make sure everything you use is clean, don't use normal dish detergents etc.

 

[An Ankoù]

If you can retain your head after a gallon, it's not worth drinking.

 

[BigAlBrewer]

Head retention; don't marry Henry the Eighth .

Oh very funny, it was a serious question.

 

[Buffers brewery]

I include 10% of carapils to the grain bill. It's supposed to help

 

[The Baron]

A lot is to do with the glass being scrupulously clean and also the shape of it can aid head retention.
You can get a head retention fluid I think THBC sell it but as Buffers says there are a few grain alternatives that will help if you are doing all grain or if its a kit maybe a steep of those grains may help. Some brewers use various grains with different success from memory a few of but not all are Wheat, Torrified Wheat Carapils, Flaked Barley and Carafoam but as I said there are more suggestions that some brewers swear by

 

[Clint]

What kits are you brewing? Most "should" have all the necessary bits in to make it right. I usually added malt extract to one can kits and never had any issues... definitely no issues with premium all malt kits..

 

[Cheshire Cat]

If you can retain your head when all around are panicking then you haven’t a clue what’s going on.

 

[Slid]

If you can retain your head when all around are panicking then you haven’t a clue what’s going on.

Ah, yes, one of my Mother's favourite ramblings. I think it's Kipling (not the cakes) from memory, it goes something like:

"If you can keep your head, whilst all around are losing theirs, and blaming it on you, then you shall be a man, my son."

 

[An Ankoù]

Ah, yes, one of my Mother's favourite ramblings. I think it's Kipling (not the cakes) from memory, it goes something like:

"If you can keep your head, whilst all around are losing theirs, and blaming it on you, then you shall be a man, my son."

Sounds very much like Sir Keir should be taking note of Mr Kipling's exceedingly good words. Whatever does sacking Angela achieve?
Rhetorical question. No intention of diverting the thread. Shut up Ankoù!

 

[Slid]

Sounds very much like Sir Keir should be taking note of Mr Kipling's exceedingly good words. Whatever does sacking Angela achieve?
Rhetorical question. No intention of diverting the thread. Shut up Ankoù!

I'm sure this is a good question and looked it up directly on the Voice of Global Socialism, formerly known as the BBC.
So, I had not heard of this Angela woman, but she looks better than her ghastly predecessor, McDonnell. Whether her political leanings are any less corrosive, I know not.

However, given Thursday's rather surprising events, it may be the case that those old enough to recall the Soviet Union have little desire to reprise its many failings. And, since those more youthful seem to prefer to make their feelings felt by any means other than actual voting, perhaps we may be saved from that particular societal end. Still other rapids to shoot, though, try Jared Diamond's "Collapse". Great work, but worrying for those under about 90.

 

[Clint]

Err... perhaps we might help the OP?

 

[obscure]

I include 10% of carapils to the grain bill. It's supposed to help

I would second this, I’ve previously used wheat which is supposed to help,but no where near as effective.

Assuming the OP is using a kit I am wondering if steeping say three to four hundred grams of Carapils in a few litres of water and adding it to the batch would so the job?

 

[Slid]

Err... perhaps we might help the OP?

Whoops, good idea, I was in the wrong thread...

Wheat malt, or torrified wheat are aids. But really a final wort with some body could be the real answer. For instance a stout holds it's it head a bit better, perhaps due to the lower fermentability of darker grains. Carapils or any other crystal malt should help, for this same reason that they have more non-fermentable sugars.

 

[Obadiah Boondoggle]

My barreled beer forms a nice head immediately after pouring, but very soon disappears before the last drop from the glass is drunk. Is there something that I can add to my kit brews to help retain a nice beer hugging glass froth. When I drink beer bought in a pub, the head clings to the glass right to the last drop. I would like to emulate this with my brews.

Perhaps you're not drinking it fast enough

 

[An Ankoù]

Washing your glass to get rid of any traces of grease (from fish and chips. lipstick, chocolate, crisps, pork scratchings, etc etc) is absolutely essential. A detergent like Fairy Liquid is needed to do this properly unless you use a dishwasher. But, if there is the least vestige of detergent on the glass, it will also destroy the head so you've got to rinse it very carefully.

 

[Obadiah Boondoggle]

Ah, yes, one of my Mother's favourite ramblings. I think it's Kipling (not the cakes) from memory, it goes something like:

"If you can keep your head, whilst all around are losing theirs, and blaming it on you, then you shall be a man, my son."

On the subject of Mr Kipling - I have an amazing claim to fame

My younger brother was originally fostered by my parents who then adopted him - well

his birth mum's sister's husband's dad was the man who used to say in the ad "Mr. Kipling does make exceedingly good cakes"

Beat that

 

[chillipickle]

So to summarise, head retention....carapils, clean glass, drink faster.

edit, eat exceedingly good cakes!

 

[Obadiah Boondoggle]

So to summarise, head retention....carapils, clean glass, drink faster.

Yes - but mainly drink faster