Developing Head

[Lars]

I have a bit of a question... I haven't bottled in a few years, but recently bottled half a batch for comps etc... I primed in the bottle using prime tabs rather than mixing up corn sugar in a bottling bucket. I got a bit impatient tonight wanting to try my beer and double check carbonation levels. Well it is carbonated after 12 days in the bottle (I know, its young... but DAMN its been hot, and I'm thirsty!), but pours with little head. It does have some white lace around the rim of the glass, just not the long lasting white head I was looking for. My question is, will the head develop, or am I stuck with it as is? The recipe is a bit off because my efficiency was really bad, either that or I mis-measured my grain (more likely).

here is the recipe...

Abby Brown Ale
Belgian Dubbel


Type: All Grain
Date: 7/14/2007
Batch Size: 5.00 gal
Brewer: Lars
Boil Size: 6.34 gal Asst Brewer:
Boil Time: 60 min Equipment: Brew Pot (12.5 gal) and Igloo Cooler (10 Gal)
Taste Rating(out of 50): 35.0 Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.0 (Not this time)
Taste Notes:

Ingredients

Amount Item Type % or IBU
1.50 lb Extra Light Dry Extract (3.0 SRM) Dry Extract 10.5 %
6.50 lb Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) Grain 45.6 %
4.00 lb Pilsner (2 Row) Bel (2.0 SRM) Grain 28.1 %
0.75 lb Caramunich Malt (56.0 SRM) Grain 5.3 %
0.50 lb Aromatic Malt (26.0 SRM) Grain 3.5 %
1.50 oz Styrian Goldings [3.50%] (60 min) Hops 15.9 IBU
0.50 oz Styrian Goldings [3.50%] (5 min) Hops 1.1 IBU
1.00 tsp Yeast Nutrient (Primary 3.0 days) Misc
1.00 lb Turbinado (10.0 SRM) Sugar 7.0 %
1 Pkgs Abbey Ale (White Labs #WLP530) [Starter 2000 ml] Yeast-Ale

[J.Brew]

Could always be possible that it isn't actually "finished" and has some carbonation to add yet. Give it some time. I'm not sure but the time may allow the carbonation to work itself into the beer over time as well and not be so willing to come out of solution, allowing for a better head.(But don't quote me on it!) Case in point..."the soda out of machines that add carbonation at the spout don't seem to hold a head like those out of a bottle" is an argument I've heard before.

[DannyW]

Case in point..."the soda out of machines that add carbonation at the spout don't seem to hold a head like those out of a bottle" is an argument I've heard before.

Hmm...I've not seen any soda hold a head unless you are talking about Root Beer with maltodextrine added. Even then it does not seem to hold to the end of the glass and leave lace like a beer.

Next time someone foists that argument on you, perhaps talk them into demonstrating?

[seanhagerty]

DUDE!!

Its not even two weeks in the bottle!! RDWHAHB!

Usually I wait three weks before I expect there to be a drinkable beer with proper carb and head retention. Wait it out and it will get better.

Sean

[Lars]

Hmmm I'm not sure the beer will last that long. Head or no head, its damn tasty!

[J.Brew]

Next time someone foists that argument on you, perhaps talk them into demonstrating?

Let me clear this up...
I actually heard it on a CraftBrewer Radio episode (The second and last episode I could handle by the way) where they talk about bottle conditioning and force carbonating. The example was set to illustrate the level of absorbtion of carbon dioxide into solution and it's effect on carbonation retention. The actual point was that a bottle of soda will hold it's carbonation longer than a fountain soda due to the fact that the bottle carbonation is well disolved into the soda and in a fountain it is introduced at the nozzle. He emplores the listener to notice the size of the CO2 bubbles eminating from the soda. Carbonation bubbles from the fountain are large, rise and dissipate rather quickly, while those from a can or bottle are smaller, rising more slowly and stick arround longer.
My "don't quote me but it may be possible" point was that this may somehow relate to this situation. It certainly could use a bit more time carbonating
Sorry to confuse with the refference to "head".

(He said head...)