I'll be starting a one-gallon batch of banana short mead this week. I'm using this thread as log notes, and to get any input readers may feel is appropriate.
I've done a fair amount of research on banana beers, both traditional and commercial. Therefore, I'm thinking a banana short mead will be OK. I know a banana wine, or long mead, would need years to age. However, traditional banana beers are drunk almost immediately.
Recipe:
2 pounds raw honey
4 pounds frozen bananas
1/2 cup orange juice
Spring water to make 1 gallon
WLP565 Saison Ale Yeast
Boil 2 pounds of bananas (in grain bag) in 1 gallon of water for 40 minutes to extracts sugars. Allow water to cool then combine honey, "banana water", and orange juice in 1-gallon carboy. Shake vigorously to combine. Add remaining 2 pounds of frozen (now thawed) bananas to carboy and top with spring water. Pitch yeast and add air lock.
I plan to let this ferment for no more than 10 days. At that time, I will rack it, filtering it through a cotton cloth and refrigerate. Bulk age in refrigerated setting for 4-5 weeks. Rack, filter, and bottle, then allow to bottle age for 1-2 weeks.
I've done a fair amount of research on banana beers, both traditional and commercial. Therefore, I'm thinking a banana short mead will be OK. I know a banana wine, or long mead, would need years to age. However, traditional banana beers are drunk almost immediately.
Recipe:
2 pounds raw honey
4 pounds frozen bananas
1/2 cup orange juice
Spring water to make 1 gallon
WLP565 Saison Ale Yeast
Boil 2 pounds of bananas (in grain bag) in 1 gallon of water for 40 minutes to extracts sugars. Allow water to cool then combine honey, "banana water", and orange juice in 1-gallon carboy. Shake vigorously to combine. Add remaining 2 pounds of frozen (now thawed) bananas to carboy and top with spring water. Pitch yeast and add air lock.
I plan to let this ferment for no more than 10 days. At that time, I will rack it, filtering it through a cotton cloth and refrigerate. Bulk age in refrigerated setting for 4-5 weeks. Rack, filter, and bottle, then allow to bottle age for 1-2 weeks.