41 replies to this topic

[Sidney Porter]

I doubt it's the rice because I've had beers do that without any rice at all. And I doubt it's the glassware because when I have one like that, another beer in the same glass doesn't exhibit it. But as to why it happens, I just don't know....

+1 I had an APA do this. None of my other beers did this. At they time I thought it had to be something in the keg I assumed residual cleaner.

[earthtone]

I doubt it's the rice because I've had beers do that without any rice at all. And I doubt it's the glassware because when I have one like that, another beer in the same glass doesn't exhibit it. But as to why it happens, I just don't know....

could be that the same effect is produced by many different agents though, I mean it could very well be the instant rice and you have experienced something similar either by accidentally or unknowingly introducing a surfactant of some kind to a batch....the fact that this recipe has done this twice and that minute rice is the only stand out makes me inclined to believe that the minute rice is the culprit in this case though as I said there are probably many compounds that will cause a similar clotting of beer head.George, why not try making it with brewer's flaked rice next time instead and see if it solves the problem? Seems like the most logical first step toward conclusive resolution to this question.

[BrewerGeorge]

could be that the same effect is produced by many different agents though, I mean it could very well be the instant rice and you have experienced something similar either by accidentally or unknowingly introducing a surfactant of some kind to a batch....the fact that this recipe has done this twice and that minute rice is the only stand out makes me inclined to believe that the minute rice is the culprit in this case though as I said there are probably many compounds that will cause a similar clotting of beer head.George, why not try making it with brewer's flaked rice next time instead and see if it solves the problem? Seems like the most logical first step toward conclusive resolution to this question.

Not a bad idea. I'll try that next time, although I only really brew this once a year as a challenge. It's easier just to buy American Standard than to brew it.

[Genesee Ted]

Why this board rocks.....

[Lonnie Mac]

I doubt it's the rice because I've had beers do that without any rice at all. And I doubt it's the glassware because when I have one like that, another beer in the same glass doesn't exhibit it. But as to why it happens, I just don't know....

I am in full agreement with the denny...I have had that happen on rare occasions in various recipes. Actually, I would like to get to the bottom of this also as I am drinking a great tasting Wee as we speak that is doing the exact same thing.

[MyaCullen]

I am in full agreement with the denny...I have had that happen on rare occasions in various recipes. Actually, I would like to get to the bottom of this also as I am drinking a great tasting Wee as we speak that is doing the exact same thing.

Does the Wee, or any of your trouble beers, have anything in common with the beers that George or others have had this happen with?I don't remember having this trouble with any of my own beers, but I have had other head retention difficulties, but have kinda shrugged them off and attributed them to using picnic taps.

[stellarbrew]

I can remember the head on a beer I was drinking behave similarly when I was eating barbeque and had a greasy mouth. I think the oils transfered from my lips to the beer when I was sipping, and then broke the suds up into clumps when the oil settled on the surface of the beer. I've also heard of a woman's lipstick killing a beer's head.

[MyaCullen]

I can remember the head on a beer I was drinking behave similarly when I was eating barbeque and had a greasy mouth. I think the oils transfered from my lips to the beer when I was sipping, and then broke the suds up into clumps when the oil settled on the surface of the beer. I've also heard of a woman's lipstick killing a beer's head.

so are you thinking Lonnie and George are wearing lipstick just kidding.

[stellarbrew]

so are you thinking Lonnie and George are wearing lipstick just kidding.

Ha! I'd never suggest such a thing. But I think I'll hold onto that one to use a drinking buddy of mine who loves to question everyone's masculinity after he has drunk a couple of beers.

[BrewerGeorge]

I poured one tonight and didn't touch(drink) any until the head fell. It still did the clumps.

[MyaCullen]

I poured one tonight and didn't touch(drink) any until the head fell. It still did the clumps.

weirdjust weirdno lipstick though?

[LBG Bill]

I too have had random beers do this as well. I always contributed it to something with my process and not any specific ingredient. Though I must admit I've never personally had it happen to a darker beer like porter or stout, only in my pales/bitters, neither of which have any rice. Actually, I've never brewed with rice, so that cannot be the cause in my case.Any pro brewers have any input on this? On the clumping, not the lipstick

[xd_haze]

I don't have a theory, just more data points. I've had this happened to wheat beers mashed in the low 140s. I always attributed it to the mash temperature. At what temp did you mash the am pilsner?mike

My standard American Pilsner has a problem. It makes a big head, but it falls relatively quickly into clots. Take a look at the pic.[attachment=75:Clotted__Head.JPG]Anybody know what causes this and how to fix it?

[jhenjum]

Do you skim the foam just before the boil? I've had head retention issues when I skimmed. I no longer skim and noticed better head retention.

[BrewerGeorge]

I don't have a theory, just more data points. I've had this happened to wheat beers mashed in the low 140s. I always attributed it to the mash temperature. At what temp did you mash the am pilsner?mike

Ah, interesting point. This was mashed in at 145F for 30min, then ramped up to 155F with the HERMS, held for 30, then up to 168F.I do this mostly for max fermentability, but that time in the 140'swill be active in the protein range. Hmmm

[denny]

could be that the same effect is produced by many different agents though, I mean it could very well be the instant rice and you have experienced something similar either by accidentally or unknowingly introducing a surfactant of some kind to a batch....the fact that this recipe has done this twice and that minute rice is the only stand out makes me inclined to believe that the minute rice is the culprit in this case though as I said there are probably many compounds that will cause a similar clotting of beer head.George, why not try making it with brewer's flaked rice next time instead and see if it solves the problem? Seems like the most logical first step toward conclusive resolution to this question.

I've used Minute Rice a lot and never had it do that.

[VolFan]

How frothy is the head immediately after it's poured? Real thick & creamy or kinda airy & weak?

[denny]

When mine do that, they always start with a huge, creamy head.

[BrewerGeorge]

When mine do that, they always start with a huge, creamy head.

Yep. This.

[Jimmy James]

George, you could conduct an experiment to test the minute rice. Maybe put a handful of the same brand rice in a bowl with a couple handfuls of milled 2-row and micro-mash it for a little bit around 150. Pour some other beer that doesn't have the clotting. Take a small spoonful of the "wort" from the experiment and drop it onto the surface, maybe even use a medicine dropper and see what happens. If something is coming off the minute rice in the mash this would be a way to find out.