wilmbrewer

Recipes 

I am getting ready to start my third ever batch and I have decided that I want to use a simple hefeweizen extract recipe. On top of the recipe I use, however, I want to add fresh bananas to give it a nice banana flavor. My question is how should I go about adding the bananas (when, how much, ripeness) in order to get the best possible flavor from them.

brewsnthelou

Recipes 

Sounds like a wonderful brew, I haven't had much luck with fresh fruit so I use flavorings, sorry I'm not much help.

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logan3825

Recipes 

The yeast used to make Hefe will give off banana flavor.

edb

Recipes 

As Logan said those flavors come from the yeast.

Just did a quick search in the recipe database and found this.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f70/kick-you-face-banana-hefeweizen-60754/

wilmbrewer

Recipes 

Thanks for that link. I'm a pretty big banana fan so I'm not worried about "too much banana" but does the higher temp yeast yield the same flavor that any banana addition will? I might just try both and hope for the best.

edb

Recipes 

I've had some micro brewed heffs that had really nice clove and banana flavors from the yeast alone. Not overly strong but still present. Im not sure if higher temps will produce more of those flavors. Might be worth asking in the yeast forum here.

logan3825

Recipes 

I think 3068 is the one that gives off banana and clove.

wilmbrewer

Recipes 

Is it the higher fermentation temp that causes this? Do you have a recommendation for how to increase fermentation temp without actually raising the room temp?

unionrdr

Recipes 

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vrynice

Recipes 

I made a porter with bananas. I blended them and let them soak in some dark rum for a couple on hours. Then racked to secondary. It ended up with a small hint of banana taste and some aroma. Next time I make it I am going to add artificial banana flavoring as well. But because I want more banana taste.