tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743286130964155757.post5268131773432446541..comments2008-10-10T13:43:39.273-07:00Bryonnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743286130964155757.post-7417724626088323442008-10-10T13:43:39.273-07:002008-10-10T13:43:39.273-07:00Throckmorton, you may have an issue with your capping methods... I sometimes get inconsistent carbonation because I get poor seals on some of my bottles...Bryonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09477503566985637974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743286130964155757.post-20131036972161498282008-10-07T19:13:20.130-07:002008-10-07T19:13:20.130-07:00Go figure... cracked open a bottle and behold! A nice foamy head. Opened a second and found the same. Maybe you'll find the same result with the Franken-Beer.Throckmortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960410612129454207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743286130964155757.post-30705137000158129532008-10-07T12:01:57.510-07:002008-10-07T12:01:57.510-07:00It has good carbonation, but a head never forms. I can see the bubbles flowing up toward the top... but the head just doesn't take shape. I've been looking around for reasons. Many places say that it is caused by dish detergent in the glass. I could understand that if it formed a head and then collapsed, but it won't even initially form. Besides, if I pour a Sam Adams into the same glass, I have a nice big head and it holds for quite awhile.<BR/><BR/>I've read a bit that it could be Irish Moss (reduces head retention). Crystal (carmel) malts and flaked barley is supposed to help with head retention. I just bottled the Guiness clone from the book last week (and used Irish Moss). I'll be curious to see how it pours.<BR/><BR/>Overall, the taste of both brews is very good. However I'd like to eventually start entering some competitions, and I won't get anywhere if I'm headless.Throckmortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960410612129454207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743286130964155757.post-7148599053300173242008-10-05T15:42:44.775-07:002008-10-05T15:42:44.775-07:00Interesting... The Oktoberfest inspired ale ("Franken-Beer") I just made had poor carbonation/head and also had Irish moss in it. But I don't think that was the issue, at least not in my case...Does your beer start with a good head and diminish or does it have a lame head from the start?Bryonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09477503566985637974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3743286130964155757.post-49318317030442494152008-10-05T06:55:36.887-07:002008-10-05T06:55:36.887-07:00I just took up homebrewing again and made a Bass clone from this exact book (extract version). It's been bottled for 2 weeks now. It tastes great but has a problem holding a head. May be the Irish Moss.Throckmortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960410612129454207noreply@blogger.com