[Capt Zero]

I've always wanted to make Banana wine but never got around to it until this morning.
While shopping in our local supermarket yesterday they had bags of ripe bananas. I finished up with 3 bags that came out about 5lbs.

You have to put them in a bag, bring to a boil then simmer for 30 mins.



Then drain into a bucket, press out the bag to get any extra out.



Not the best looking start to a new wine... but I'm told it comes out a lovely golden colour, and the taste is wonderful.

[thedadtony]

Think I'll try that Captain.

[Capt Zero]

Go for it Tony....I don't know what it's going to turn out like, but I had a glass years ago...wow.. and I've always wanted to brew a gall. It's going into the DJ tomorrow (photo will be posted) as that's a week in the bucket. If you want the recipe posted just shout.

If it turns out ok...this type of wine can be made all year round. Just buy the bananas when you can and freeze them until you want them.

[Oakdalebirds1]

So what's the recipe then on banana wine  ? Keen to try a gallon

[Auntiemogs]

What an excellent idea Capt!  I often find myself with the odd overripe banana and no energy to bake a cake.  Yes, recipe please! 

[Capt Zero]

Right here you are guys & gals..This is the recipe that I did..but as I had 1/2 liter of WGJ left in the fridge from another wine I put that in also...

Ingredients:
4 lbs. (2 kilos) bananas
1 lemon
1 orange
3 lbs. (1.5 kilos) sugar
1 gallon water
4 oz. (125g) raisins
yeast and nutrient

Cooking Instructions:
1. Peel the bananas and put them in a fairly thick muslin bag, together with half a pound of banana skins and tie securely
2. Place the bag in a large saucepan together with the water and bring to the boil
3. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes
4. pour into an earthenware crock, or similar suitable container, over the sugar and squeezed lemon and orange juice
5. When cool, squeeze the bag firmly and take it out of the crock
6. Add yeast and nutrient as per packet instructions and leave for a week, stirring daily
7. Pour into a fermentation jar, seal and leave for 2 months then add the chopped raisins
8. Store for another 3 months then bottle and label
_____________________________________________________________________________________

BANANA WINE 1 GALLON RECIPE

ingredients.
2kgs-bananas.
500Gm-banana skins.
1Lt-white grape juice.
1-lemon ( juice only )
1kl-sugar.
Half tsp-tannin.
1Tsp-yeast compound.
1Tsp-pectic enzyme.
2Tbls-glycerine( to taste )
1tbls-finings.
METHOD
place the bananas and the peel into a cloth bag and put the bag,
tied up, into a large saucepan with water. Bring to the boil, then
gently simmer for half an hour. Pour the hot liquor over the sugar
and stir until the sugar as dissolved, and when the cloth bag has
cooled squeeze it to extract as much liquor as possible. When the
liquor is cool add the grape juice,lemon juice,tannin,pectic enzyme
and the yeast compound to the demijohn fit the air-lock and
ferment out.
Rack and add finings when clear rack again add glycerine to taste
and leave to mature for at least 12 months.
____________________________________________________________________________________

I've added the 2nd recipe as I've had it in a book for a while now..there seems to be a basic recipe for banana wine with any one you read...but I did the first recipe as I fancy that little bit extra with the chopped raisins...and as I said I added the WGJ, lets see what comes of it all.
Happy brewing

[Auntiemogs]

Many thanks Capt.  I shall be eyeing up the discounted fruit section when shopping now! 

[thedadtony]

Great C.Z., one for the recipe book, just bottled 5galls. of Rhubarb from last year, mmmmmm...happy days

[Capt Zero]

Tony...as your bottling last years rhubarb, I take it that you bulk mature???

[thedadtony]

Usually only with cider, Captain, with wine I use five litre water bottles because I don't have enough five gallon fermenters, I start the wine off in the five gallon ones and rack into the smaller vessels as the wine matures. easier to handle too.
      Cider seasons nearly upon us and I've loads of apples this year ,not like 2012,our Katie tree is the first to ripen so could be starting at the end of this month or the beginning of September, maybe I should invest in a few five galloners but then there's storage problems, crikey I can fell another shed coming on!!
   P.S. Off to Bavaria tomorrow, Yippie

[Capt Zero]

 
"P.S. Off to Bavaria tomorrow, Yippie"  holiday?..if so have a great time..

Talking about cider, now we have an allotment we've got the chance of some apple,  also would you believe over 100 yds of grape vines...the guy said he's always after somebody to use them, all he wants is a bottle of wine.
We've looked at a fruit press to do the cider & grapes...but the cost is  so this weekend I'm going to have a go at building a press and use a car jack....that may be a new topic..

[Daamoot]

Thanks for sharing the recipe Capt Zero!  Definetly one I'll be trying once all the homegrown fruits are brewed.  Feel free to start another thread about your press building, I've wanted to make one for a couple years now but with last years poor harvest I haven't bothered yet.  Good luck with it and have fun.

[Capt Zero]

Well I've been given the green light to take what I need from the grape vine only 2 hours ago...so if I am going to build a press I'll have to get myself in gear this weekend. Also I want to brew a few galls of Elderberry and I'm thinking that would give the press a test run, before we get around to both the apples & grapes...watch this space :blink: lets see what happens...

[Capt Zero]

Looking OK at the mo...clearing nice, I read somewhere that banana wine can be a b**ger to clear because of  its starch content, its about 25%.

[Capt Zero]

2nd gall of Banana  wine on the go tonight,   another one planed for tomorrow night