Sorry, but this has been building up......
I've been seeing a lot of posts about using CaraPils in IPAs for head retention. Almost every time there is at least 5% crystal and a ton of hops in the recipe. So, not that I'm a brewmaster, but I need to set the record a little straighter on CaraPils.
CaraPils is a lightly kilned pilsner malt, meaning it is a crystal malt! It is not some miracle grain that adds head retention to beer because it is used. It's primary purpose is to add head retention to light lagers that are not highly hopped as it is so lightly kilned that it does not add any additional flavor. That's about it!
If you are making an IPA, with crystal malt and a ton of hops, there is no reason to add CaraPils. It is redundant and does nothing for the beer. All crystal malts contain dextrins that are unfermentable and add body and head retention because of the kilning process. If you already have hops and crystal malts in the recipe contributing to the head retention qualities, CaraPils is not needed. It's a non-factor and contributes nothing......
OK, got that off my chest. I feel better and hope I did not offend anyone....
Dave