I have the opportunity to pick up this Buffalo Trace Bourbon Mash #1 barrel for $100 at one of my local shops. I would be interested in finding out if this is a good value or not and if this barrel can even be used for barrel aging my beer. Also, open to suggestions on what type of beer would match well with this barrel type. Thanks in advance!
$100 for the barrel is a good price if the barrel has been taken care of. You'll need to buy it, and then check it for leaks, and it being dried out.. That said.. You can use hot water 180+ to seal the ends of the barrel and inside of it to make it swell before you use it. Anything would be good in there.. From a nice ultra hoppy, higher ABV IPA.. A Porter, Stout/RIS, even a nice malty Scotch Ale would be great.. If I had it, I'd do a Scotch Ale, then a huge RIS.. Both beers north of 10% ABV for aging, and then I'd hope it would get infected that I'd start tossing in sours and get some wild ales going.
Thanks for the advice!! I just went in and spoke to my guy over there and he informed me that the barrel was rinsed and and glued shut (per his advice) by Buffalo Trace. He said his new batch will be coming in in October and he will inform them to leave the barrel as is and just close it up. So it looks like I will be waiting for that barrel.
