Clumpy head

[evanisnor]

As the head fades I'm left with clumps of foam around the edge that float in toward the center with a bit of a filmy appearance. The beer tastes fine, it just looks kind of gross.

Not sure if I picked up an infection during bottling and I need to change my tubing, or if this is normal when you use a bit of oats in the mash? First time using oats (quick variety) and Safale S-04.

Has this happened to anyone else before?

[McGruff]

Keg or bottle?

[Keith]

i'm wondering if it may just be smaller particles of the instant oats that are clumping together. What does it look like if you remove it and spread it on some dark paper? Does it look like oats? Yeast or something else?

[Ladd]

It's probably yeast. I've noticed that with some batches that I rushed into bottles before it clarified and ended up with a fair amount of yeast on the bottom of every bottle. When you crack them it kicks up some yeast from the bottom and it ends up in the head and finally floating on the top.

[evanisnor]

I guess it could be yeast, there seems to be quite a bit of sediment in the bottles. It really looks like bubbles, though. The clumps fade away until I tip the glass again. Lost of clumpy lacing. I read this might be due to the extra proteins from the oats causing the bubbles to stick more? If that's the case my upcoming oatmeal stout is going to look like curdled chocolate milk with 10% oats

[saosborne]

this has happened to me from time to time, however i dont think its an infection. could be a number of things. soap residue in the glass, not rinsing equipment/tubing well enough, oils picked up in the process somewhere (mill, grain storage, etc.), if there is alot of sediment in the bottles could be yeast or hot/cold break attracted to the extra proteins. from the sound of it it is probably something in the beer when you tip the glass you break the surface tension causing the clumping to start all over again, but its really just a guess if it doesnt taste bad dont worry about it next time try to get a bit more head retention through the grain bill or heading powder, or drink the beer faster so you dont notice it

[evanisnor]

The problem seems to have cleared up by cellaring the bottles for a few weeks. My money is on extra proteins from the oats that need to settle out or break down during maturation. Regarding my oatmeal stout: It'll be getting a couple of weeks in secondary. Racked it today.

Thanks for the input, guys!