Procured a whisky Barrel, now what

top it off with beer

 

Unless you want watered down beer, you need to brew more periodically and fill it up to compensate for the angel's share loss, depending on how long you want it in the barrel.

 

Any leaks? You didn't mention an air lock on the barrel, but something to consider.

 

I have two 53 barrels in my basement. That I have filled over the last year. What I have learned.

1. If you have a bunch of people brew, not eveyone will bring a full 5 gallons, 4.75, etc. the small differences add up, get an extra 10 gallons, this should be enough for top up over the next year.

2. Plan on how to get in and take out of the barrel, its too heavy to lift. I use Co2, and a two hole stopper (one for a racking cane one for Co2.

3. Assume you will get 50 gallons out, if you get more great. But assume a loss. Factor this in to how much a person puts in how much they will get.. this way no one is disappointed.

4. Pick reliable people, if your not brewing everything and don't start filling until you have all the beer present, and you know is good. (1/2 full will cause oxidation)

 

You and the bar owner should look into the legality of doing this. It is not legal. The owner could even lose his license.

 

I mentioned the air lock thing because I've seen beers being aged in barrels that had an airlock thru the bung. I presume the use of one would depend on how quickly after fermentation that the beer went into the barrel vs. the confidence that it is absolutely done fermenting. I'd hate to see you blow the bung out due to the lack of an easy escape for any pressure build-up.

 

In Wisconsin, you can't sell your homebrew. Neither can Mikey's. Not even if the owner is pretty smart.

 

This subject comes up from time to time. I don't know the state law there, but the first problem I do see is the donation. If it's mandatory, it's not really a donation, it's paying for a drink (same goes for the requirement to buy KBS I think). In my opinion, you would have to give free samples and accept donations separately.

In Jersey, I'm pretty sure they couldn't even be given out as free samples in a bar as "drinks on the house" technically have to be paid for by the house and you can't sell homebrew (unless you get around the law by having a private function - like a homebrew meeting for instance).

But like you said, the owner would know best and it's in his best interest to get it right.

 

Hmmm. Did I miss something about a donation? I though OP said they were selling their beer to the bar...

Edit: I see the previous post about $5 donations that the bar would collect. Even if that's legal in WI (don't know), OP can't sell homebrew to the bar in the first place.

 

Oops, no, I missed that second part. First tholm273 said there would be a donation.

EDIT:

Totally agree. I've read that federal law prohibits but I'm sure that all state laws regarding homebrew also do.

But I suppose there is no point in directing this thread into a debate about selling homebrew. OP has his warning, I'm sure the owner will figure it out (if he comes up with a way around the law, super). I'm still very interested to find out how it tastes in the end.

 

You can't sell homebrew, as per Federal Law that enables us to homebrew.

You can donate it to an educational functions in some states, where the homebrew is not charged for. The owner should check the state laws thoroughly.

 

No need for the caps, we can read and you could have just put that in the first place.

And since you clarified your intentions, I'll add with... Based on this, I'd say Wisconsin actually has a more comprehensively written law than Jersey (ours is short and vague in my opinion), specifically allowing transport and giving out samples or gifts of homebrew. If I'm reading correctly, it even has a part that allows homebrew to be given out in bars and such, which is your plan. As long as you don't charge of course.

As for the airlock, like mothergoose03 mentioned, I've also seen them on barrels at commercial establishments. Personally I don't see a need for it, but others have stated that temp changes could push the bung out. So, even if you can check on it daily, why bother with the risk I suppose? I guess thats the line of thinking.