good head

anthonyvbyrne · 27-08-2015 12:25pm #1

Riddle me this.
Why is it that - one day you will open a bottle of your favorite beer, and pour carefully into a clean glass, and the result is a perfectly formed head which lasts the full half hour and sits at the bottom of the glass when you're finished ? an other day you open a bottle of the same beer, and pour it carefully into a clean glass, and within 30 seconds to a minute, you are looking at a flat lifeless 2 day-old glass of lemonade.
Is it the temperature ? is it the glass ? is it the beer ? is it the pour ?
I can tell you for certain, its NOT lack of practice. Any ideas ?

Mightydrumming · 27-08-2015 12:26pm

When I read that title, I had to investigate..

Misleading to say the least :pac:

Continue :

poitinstill · 27-08-2015 12:31pm

main culprit is the glass id say. if detergent from dish washer / oily from wash in sink or any residue left on it..

Lovely Bloke · 27-08-2015 12:35pm

yep, probably dishwasher detergent. Or an uncultured pour.

rubadub · 27-08-2015 1:43pm

Detergents as mentioned and any residual fats, like if milk was in the glass and it was only rinsed. Also if eating greasy food it can get in and ruin it.

There is a trend now for microetched glasses in pubs, which create a constant stream of bubbles. I hate them and often ask for a guinness glass instead. I usually get half pint glasses with bottles, I don't think any I got yet were microetched.

oblivious · 27-08-2015 2:56pm

Poor fermentation control and infection will have an effect too

Lovely Bloke · 27-08-2015 3:03pm

oblivious wrote: »

Poor fermentation control and infection will have an effect too

yeah but he's clearly on about commercially brewed beers - he's not expecting inconsistency, so must be drinking a fairly established brand - be it macro or craft - example if a new brewery launches I might not be surprised that two bottles pour differently, but if I open a Trouble Brewing or an O'Hara's I'd expect a consistent pour from one bottle to the next.

anthonyvbyrne · 27-08-2015 4:27pm

yes. Commercially brewed quality beer. e.g. Fullers IPA / London Pride, or McGargels IPA, or e.g 12th Centuary Ale, or Galway hooker ... all good beers, but inconsistant once poured. Ill try doing a pure (detergent-less ) glass washing and see if that improves things.

Son0vagun · 27-08-2015 6:17pm

I think it's to do with the temperature of the beer. The colder the beer the less likely it is to maintain a head, were as a warmer beer has good head retention.

Ravelleman · 28-08-2015 4:14pm

I believe the position of the moon in relation to Venus can also be a factor, as can the tides.

good head

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