Distillate Doesn't Bead !!!

[roostershooter7]

I made a run today from a very prominent bourbon recipe.

I use a 3" SS Reflux Column with copper mesh packing, and everything ran smoothly. I am very pleased with it, to say the last.

However, I always hear about everyone getting "a bead". I know what it means, and what it looks like. However, my batch today didn't bead at all.

This was my first run using the Reflux setup, and I did not run into any issues. However, after testing the proof with my alcoholmeter the proof was at 172 proof. When I capped and shook the jar the beads went away immediately and none stuck around.

What does this mean? I've seen old timers do it, and have seen proofed alcohol as low as 90 proof hold a bead. Why is this particular batch not beading?

[Dnderhead]

thats what it does,,the bigger the bubbles and the shorter time they last the higher proof.

[roostershooter7]

Ahhh ... ok.


I was confused and thought they always stuck around, and that the higher the proof ... the longer the bubbles stuck around!

Growing up I always saw old times 'check the bead' and thought that it was supposed to be a residual thing that stuck around.

At that time the 'foamy bead' that stuck around was probably due to the increased amount of congeners in the product.

Thanks for clarifying that. You learn something new every day!