Head Retention

An important characteristic in beers is the ability of the beer to retain a nice foamy head for a long period of time. Commercial brewers go to great lengths to improve head retention by a variety of additives. However homebrewers also have access to quite a few ingredients and additives that can help your foam last until the last drop.

Methods for Improving Head Retention

We will explore the following possibilities:

• The use of body and head enhancing |malts such as crystal, wheat, or carafoam
• The use of heading agents - additives 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

Head Enhancing Malts

The inclusion of proteins and dextrines enhance the head retention of finished beer. Proteins