Head retention on High Gravity Beers

[ADHD Curmudgeon]

I'm just curious if anyone has any tips on getting better head retention on my stronger brews.

I used to brew them around 8-9%, but the head retention was poor.
So, I started making them around 5-7% instead...
Retention's better, but still not great.
Everything is thoroughly rinsed for long periods with hot water to remove all cleanser residues.

At the moment I'm using Coopers kits & BE2 and I no longer use any aditional dextrose.

[Pale_Ale]

Try replacing the BE2 with LDME, and add a little wheat malt, say 200g.

[rwh]

Keep in mind though, that alcohol is one of the enemies of head retention. So there's only so much you can do.

[ADHD Curmudgeon]

Keep in mind though, that alcohol is one of the enemies of head retention. So there's only so much you can do.

Unfortunately. That's why the first thing I did was cut back on the alcohol content.

My fiance told me I was restricted to two tallies in the evening due to lack of money, so I decided to make them REALLY GOOD ones.
But then I found that they just didn't keep thier head (not that it's that important).

So I cut back the fermentables, but still, it seems that around 5-6% is the highest concentration that it will tolerate without loosing too much head when using primarily BE2.

[Kevnlis]

Keep in mind though, that alcohol is one of the enemies of head retention. So there's only so much you can do.

Unfortunately. That's why the first thing I did was cut back on the alcohol content.

My fiance told me I was restricted to two tallies in the evening due to lack of money, so I decided to make them REALLY GOOD ones.
But then I found that they just didn't keep thier head (not that it's that important).

So I cut back the fermentables, but still, it seems that around 5-6% is the highest concentration that it will tolerate without loosing too much head when using primarily BE2.

Steep some crystal or even carapils grain into the brew. This is the cheapest and best way to get good head retention.

The crystal will add quite a bit of flavour, so carapils is probably best, but if the style is right carapils can really freshen your brew.

Steeping grains is easy as pie, so don;t be afraid to have a go.

[Chris]

Malt, malt and more malt. rwh said that alcohol is the enemy of head, but I think dextrose is the culprit. Obviously one becomes the other, but when using malt in my big beers, I tend to get too much head if anything!

[ADHD Curmudgeon]

rwh said that alcohol is the enemy of head, but I think dextrose is the culprit.

I stopped using straight dextrose quite a while ago because it tended to be fairly flavourless, although I'd imagine that there's still a fair bit of it in the BE2.

Steep some crystal or even carapils grain into the brew. This is the cheapest and best way to get good head retention.

I didn't even think of that...
I'll have to try it on payday.

[Kevnlis]

I stopped using straight dextrose quite a while ago because it tended to be fairly flavourless, although I'd imagine that there's still a fair bit of it in the BE2.

I think BE2 is 500g Dex, 250g Maltodextrine, and 250g LDME

http://www.coopers.com.au/homebrew/hbrew.php?pid=7

My LHBS sells LLME $8 per kilo, last I saw BE2 was about $6? Well worth the extra $2! Even if you bought half a kilo of LLME ($4) and cut it with half a kilo of dex ($1.75) you would be in a better position IMHO.

[blandy]

I've found liquid yeasts produce better head retention

[Pale_Ale]

My LHBS sells LLME $8 per kilo, last I saw BE2 was about $6? Well worth the extra $2! Even if you bought half a kilo of LLME ($4) and cut it with half a kilo of dex ($1.75) you would be in a better position IMHO.

My LHBS sells 1.5Kg LME for $9.95 which makes it alot better value than the BEs, plus you know what you're getting

[rwh]

Grain and grape does 5kg for $30, which is $6/kg.

[Pale_Ale]

Jovial Monk sells 28Kg of Coopers LME for $89, which is $3.18 per Kg for the game brewer

[ADHD Curmudgeon]

Grain and grape does 5kg for $30, which is $6/kg.

Where are they located?

My LHBS sells LLME $8 per kilo, last I saw BE2 was about $6? Well worth the extra $2! Even if you bought half a kilo of LLME ($4) and cut it with half a kilo of dex ($1.75) you would be in a better position IMHO.

I'd be inclined to use the whole kilo I recon.

[lethaldog]

Yarraville, Melbourne

[ADHD Curmudgeon]

Damn, a bit too far me thinks.

[lethaldog]

Yep although they do mail order

[ADHD Curmudgeon]

Out of curiousity, do you have any contact info for them?

[lethaldog]

http://www.grainandgrape.com.au/

[Chris]

I really miss living 5 mins from them!

[Tipsy]

My fiance told me I was restricted to two tallies in the evening.

So whens the big day