No head retention
#1
Posted 17 September 2009 - 04:36 PM
#2
Posted 17 September 2009 - 04:47 PM
#3
Posted 17 September 2009 - 05:32 PM
#4
Posted 17 September 2009 - 06:34 PM
I did ferment this thing low, with 3068, on the order of 62 (not ambient, but the outside of the ss fermenter). I'm at a loss on this one, none of my other beers have had this trouble, but I have had it off and on with wheat beers. mikeI went through a troubleshooting period when I noticed a lack of head retention in several of my beers. It turned out that head retention was improved by lowering fermentation temps. I now ferment at the lowest # listed for the yeast, but I'm measuring ambient temps still. I could take it step further and measure internal temp, but I havent gotten around to it. I have seen an improvement in head retention with lower ferm temps.
#5
Posted 17 September 2009 - 07:24 PM
#6
Posted 18 September 2009 - 02:40 AM
Heck I can say the same for myself and the most recent Hefe I brewed as well. Wy 3068 at 64 degrees. I was thinking at first that maybe a dirty glass was suspect but it seems to be a more common problem. My hefe has ho trouble pouring foamy but it flattens out after a short length of time.I did a wheat recently that lacks head retention a little bit. Clearly not on the level you're talking about, it maintains a head for a good bit, but my expectation for head retention with a wheat is pretty high. I also fermented with 3068 at 62-63.
#7
Posted 18 September 2009 - 06:26 AM
Heck I can say the same for myself and the most recent Hefe I brewed as well. Wy 3068 at 64 degrees. I was thinking at first that maybe a dirty glass was suspect but it seems to be a more common problem. My hefe has ho trouble pouring foamy but it flattens out after a short length of time.
#8
Posted 18 September 2009 - 07:38 AM
#9
Posted 18 September 2009 - 07:45 AM
Now that you mention it... yeah. The last batch I did, the bubbles in the head were like fine champagne bubbles and it didn't take long for them to settle down. Not like the nice rocky white foam I get with my Cream Ale, that's for sure. I don't think I've ever had this problem with 3068 before, now that I think of it. But I don't know how it could be the yeasts problem.This makes me wonder whether 3068 is doing something strange. The strain could have mutated and be producing some head killers. Anyone else out there notice anything strange with 3068?Mike
#10
Posted 18 September 2009 - 11:10 AM
#11
Posted 18 September 2009 - 11:51 AM
No blow off -- 11 gallons fermented in a 16 gallon keg.Cool fermentation, followed immediately by cold conditioning in kegs (45 deg). All of the standard explanations have failed me, which is why I'm at a loss on this one. It behaves like soda -- foams up strong on the pour but quickly settles out to nothing. Further, it leaves negligible lace on the glass when it does.My first thought was the glassware, but I've eliminated that as a possibility. I also tried it through a different tap (a cobra tap rather than the usual perlick forward sealing one.) That rules out contamination in the lines. Also, I have two kegs, and they both have the problem. So I don't think that it is the kegs, either. Both kegs were cleaned with PWB rinsed, with filtered water, and sanitized with star san. ???MikeAre you using a blowoff tube? If you have a lot of blowoff you are losing head retainers in the schmutz that comes out...
#12
Posted 18 September 2009 - 01:56 PM
#14
Posted 18 September 2009 - 02:23 PM
Thank goodness you said "schmutz" and not SchputzÂâ„¢, which a registered trademark of Mayfair Court Brewhouse. Seriously, I can't imagine a beer with 50% wheat giving you guys bad head stability. I wouldn't make a beer with 3068 because I don't care for the profile, but I do know a lot of local brewers who enjoy it so I will ask on our local board. Cheers.Are you using a blowoff tube? If you have a lot of blowoff you are losing head retainers in the schmutz that comes out...
#15
Posted 18 September 2009 - 02:40 PM
Yep me neither. Always get awesome head with 3068 hefes on tap.I brew hefe twice a week using 3068. It's one of the heartier strains I've used- love it! Never had a problem with head retention, the beer keeps a few millimeters of foam all the way to the bottom of the glass.
#16
Posted 18 September 2009 - 02:44 PM
Can I borrow your wife?BA DUM CHINGYep me neither. Always get awesome head with 3068 hefes on tap.
#17
Posted 18 September 2009 - 03:41 PM
Thank goodness you said "schmutz" and not SchputzÂâ„¢, which a registered trademark of Mayfair Court Brewhouse. Seriously, I can't imagine a beer with 50% wheat giving you guys bad head stability. I wouldn't make a beer with 3068 because I don't care for the profile, but I do know a lot of local brewers who enjoy it so I will ask on our local board. Cheers.
#18
Posted 18 September 2009 - 07:09 PM
#19
Posted 18 September 2009 - 07:28 PM
#20
Posted 21 September 2009 - 10:18 AM
Very much so.If you are getting carbonation breakout in the lines, then you won't have as much fizz in the glass and there goes your head retention.But...it could still be something else, or a combination.I've been investigating further, and it looks like I have lots of foaming in the lines. Anyone think that this could matter?Mike
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