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Head Retention

1,499 bytes added, 15:37, 4 July 2006
==Methods for Improving Head Retention==
We will explore the following possibilities:http://brewwiki.com/index.php?title=Head_Retention&action=edit
* The use of body and head enhancing [[Malt||malts]] such as crystal, wheat, or carafoam
* The altering of the [[Mashing|mash schedule]] to enhance head retaining proteins
* The use of heading agents - additives that enhance head retention
* Addition of high alpha hops - which will increase bitterness, but also increas isohumulones that enhance head retention
* Limiting the use of household soaps on drinking glasses and homebrew equipment
* The use of a nitrogen and CO2 mix for carbonation and serving
===Heading Agents===
Homebrew shops sell a variety of additives, usually under the generic title ''heading agent''. Some are intended to be added at bottling time, while others need to be added at the end of the boil. Follow the instructions included with the agent to determine what is required. Many heading agents are derived from an enzyme called pepsin that is derived from pork. In general, heading agents are not necessary for homebrews that are made from 100% malted barley and wheat. Heading agents are more commonly used in commercial beers that have high rice and corn content, lacking the necessary proteins of an all-malt beer.
 
===Hops===
As mentioned in the introduction, isohumulones which are a form of alpha acid also will enhance the head retention of beer. Alpha acid is the primary bittering agent in hops. Therefore highly hopped beers will have better head retention. Obviously overall malt-bitterness balance is still required, but one can use higher levels of hops, particularly in darker full bodied beers to enhance head retention.
 
===Limit Use of Household Soaps===
Household soaps such as common dish soap and dishwashing soap have a significant detrimental effect on head retention in beer. You should not use household soaps on either your brewing equipment or your main bar drinkware. Instead