[Steve Ruch]

Can I brew a German hefe with a neutral yeast and mimic the banana flavor using actual bananas?

[denny]

Can I brew a German hefe with a neutral yeast and mimic the banana flavor using actual bananas?

Not really. Won't get as much banana flavor with bananas. And then there's the clove component.

[ynotbrusum]

Maybe just use banana powder?

https://www.koyah.com/products/organic-banana-powder?variant=30078616207394&currency=USD&utm_medium=CPC&utm_source=GA&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=GA_SALES_PM_New%20Customers&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0ruyBhDuARIsANSZ3wql6sgoocEWhj3ZIHSnaTzkp5DgegSkMtPWU6KZhdHA4k9pxwXnntEaAgUbEALw_wcB

How much to use is open to desired level, I suppose...

[denny]

Can I brew a German hefe with a neutral yeast and mimic the banana flavor using actual bananas?

Is this question rhetorical?  If not, why not just use a hefe yeast?

[brewthru]

I thought to force the banana a warmer fermentation was all that was needed. Is this not valid?

[KellerBrauer]

Warmer fermentation, under-pitch to stress the yeast, complete a step-mash, pitch with the moon over your left shoulder  . . . .  I’ve tried all of it and was successful in one instance out of about 20, and I can’t duplicate it.  In my experience, a good hefe is one of the most difficult brews to make.  So, I’ll be anxious to follow this thread.

Cheers!

[Drewch]

Maybe just use banana powder?

https://www.koyah.com/products/organic-banana-powder?variant=30078616207394&currency=USD&utm_medium=CPC&utm_source=GA&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=GA_SALES_PM_New%20Customers&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0ruyBhDuARIsANSZ3wql6sgoocEWhj3ZIHSnaTzkp5DgegSkMtPWU6KZhdHA4k9pxwXnntEaAgUbEALw_wcB

How much to use is open to desired level, I suppose...

Or banana extract and clove extract. Add them after primary so they don't blow off with the CO2.

?? 🤷‍♂️

[denny]

I thought to force the banana a warmer fermentation was all that was needed. Is this not valid?

There's more to it than that. Amount of wheat as well as yeast strain and other factors play into it. Simply fermenting any yeast warmer will not do it.

[denny]

Warmer fermentation, under-pitch to stress the yeast, complete a step-mash, pitch with the moon over your left shoulder  . . . .  I’ve tried all of it and was successful in one instance out of about 20, and I can’t duplicate it.  In my experience, a good hefe is one of the most difficult brews to make.  So, I’ll be anxious to follow this thread.

Cheers!

Check out the hefeweizen tips in our latest podcast.

[reverseapachemaster]

If you're just looking for banana and don't want to fuss with a weizen strain, S04 fermented around 74F will throw a ton of banana.

[Steve Ruch]

Can I brew a German hefe with a neutral yeast and mimic the banana flavor using actual bananas?

Is this question rhetorical?  If not, why not just use a hefe yeast?

Semi rhetorical. Occasionally I wonder about things. I have some wheat dme, to use on an easy brew day, and several available non hefe yeasts and I want to do something other than plain wheat beer.

[Steve Ruch]

If you're just looking for banana and don't want to fuss with a weizen strain, S04 fermented around 74F will throw a ton of banana.

I just bottled a rye porter fermented close to that with S-04 and didn't get any banana.

[Drewch]

If you're just looking for banana and don't want to fuss with a weizen strain, S04 fermented around 74F will throw a ton of banana.

I just bottled a rye porter fermented close to that with S-04 and didn't get any banana.

The only things I've gotten from S-04 are either Chico-esque neutrality or an unpleasant whang. I've never even gotten pleasant English-y esters, let alone banana.

[denny]

If you're just looking for banana and don't want to fuss with a weizen strain, S04 fermented around 74F will throw a ton of banana.

I just bottled a rye porter fermented close to that with S-04 and didn't get any banana.

The only things I've gotten from S-04 are either Chico-esque neutrality or an unpleasant whang. I've never even gotten pleasant English-y esters, let alone banana.

I get an unwelcome breadiness

[saaz amore]

I've tried a few drops of banana "essence" in a glass, and it didn't work very well.

That said, Germans have been known to add banana "nectar" to weizens. Google "kristallweizen bananen nektar"