Waste is a serious problem in the food industry. When food ends up in landfill, it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions – and it also means that even more food has to be produced to meet demand.
So, what if you can brew a beer and tackle food waste in one go? That’s what Balance Brewing and Gwafuvegan have collaborated on in 2025 – and the fruits of our labour are ready to sample!
Plantain Reclaim is a new beer unlike anything else you’ve tried. Read on to find out more…
Reclaiming plantains – one skin at a time
If you’re unfamiliar with plantains, they look a lot like bananas but are larger and firmer with a thicker skin. Unlike bananas, they’re usually eaten cooked rather than raw. And their flavour is starchier and less sugary.
Plantains are a staple food in many parts of Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America – often served as fried slices, chips or mashed as a side dish. But in most cases, plantain skins aren’t used as part of those dishes.
Across Manchester alone, there’s an abundance of plantain skins going to waste. That’s something we saw first-hand when brewing Plantain Reclaim in collaboration with Gwafuvegan – a Manchester-based vegan catering company.
Ngwafu put in the legwork, collecting 40kg of unwanted plantain skins from African and Caribbean food businesses throughout the city. After two weeks of early morning trips, we had the goods.
Together, we chose the base beer, fermented the skins for a month and perfected the sugar levels.
The unique taste of Plantain Reclaim
The end result is Plantain Reclaim – a 4.5% wild ale that’s full of fruity, tropical notes. It’s intriguing from the off with a hint of vanilla sweetness that brings out the banana flavour on the palate. That’s all held together by a rounded fullness.
Acidity isn’t too high, which works perfectly to showcase the wonderful flavour of plantain skins (which would have otherwise gone to waste!)
Releasing our creation
The first samples of Plantain Reclaim went to guests at Gwafuvegan’s supper club in early August. Held at Hulme Garden Centre, the event showcased Cameroonian dishes and West African flavours with produce grown and foraged by Ngwafu herself.
Highlights included homemade sourdough with Baobab butter, akara (black-eyed bean fritters), and a glazed African white sweet potato topped with a pea and roasted garlic puree.
What better accompaniment to our delicious plantain beer?
The official release!
We’re now delighted to have Plantain Reclaim available for everyone to enjoy. We threw a launch part on 30th August at Balance Taproom, where the beer was available on keg and in bottles.
Gwafuvegan was on hand with some delicious food again. This time it was puff puff – a doughnut-like West African snack that’s crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Be warned though – only 112 bottles are available in total, and the number is dwindling as we speak so get it while you can! Plantain Reclaim is available to buy through our online store, or pop in to buy in person at our taproom on Sheffield Street!
