What to do with this barrel?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by CaptainQuint, Nov 16, 2015.

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  1. CaptainQuint

    CaptainQuint Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2014 Massachusetts

    Hey everyone! While poking around on the internet, I stumbled on to what I thought could be a great investment for home brewing. I found these barrels! http://www.northamericanbarrel.com/category-s/1477.htm

    Given that they are oak, and come in different sizes, my immediate thought was that one of these would be perfect for aging a 5 gallon batch. But after thinking about it I realized that it may not be.

    Could I use these for a barrel aged beer or would it just be best used for a fancy serving cask? Take a look and let me know your thoughts! Thanks everyone!
     
  2. GUNSLINGER

    GUNSLINGER Initiate (0) Nov 18, 2013 Colorado

    That is a virgin american oak barrel that is charred to #3 (Medium/Heavy) that is ready for spirit to be aged/matured in it. I wouldn't use it for beer until it has aged a fresh spirit for about at least a year preferably longer. Otherwise you risk getting a char-bomb beer. I think their have been a few members here who this happened to- can't recall who though...

    I wouldn't use it for a serving cask either. You'd want virgin american oak but not charred inside for that.

    If you want to age a beer in a virgin non-charred cask you can also, but it will be very oaky and one dimensional compared to a once or twice used barrel used to age spirits.

    There was a recent thread asking where to get such a barrel and I believe it is still on the main page in home brewing forum here. Go check it out for a few links to barrels that have been once used by American distilleries.
     
  3. suavo

    suavo Initiate (0) Oct 29, 2014

    I bought a 10 gallon charred rum barrel...loaded it with an AB clone...7 days later it tasted like charcoal...maybe I should buy 10 gals of rum to age in the barrel for a year and then try again...actually, I'm thinking of cutting in half for two planters...I'm afraid to put anything in it now...
     
  4. suavo

    suavo Initiate (0) Oct 29, 2014

    Next time I want a charcoal beer, I'll just dry hop with charcoal briquettes...
     
    HopBroker likes this.
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