Oak or Chestnut Barrels ?

[troutrunner]

Has anyone had experience or info on using new wooden barrels for their brews.

www.oak-barrel.com is offering them at reasonable prices and I would like to keep every thing as authentic as possible.

Your thoughts would be great, :

 

[percival]

someone posted some time ago asking for advice on getting started with their new wooden barrels. you can probably find it quickly using 'search'. There may be some good info for you there and you'll also find out who knows what.

just did the search myself .. here you go

viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1250&hilit=wood*+barrel

 

[troutrunner]

Follow the link for piccy!!!!!!!!!1

http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww74 ... arrel1.jpg

 

[trunky]

I badly want one of those new seasoned oak 100litre barrels for maturing cider and 79 notes delivered is very reasonable, now to convince SWMBO :whistle:

 

[percival]

nice gear they have!

can't find any info on their website about conditioning, cleaning, care (whether they always need to be full) etc etc. Surely they would know tho. I'd love to get one - or more - of my tried and tested brews into something like these.

 

[Wez]

I'm looking forward to hearing how these wooden barrels work out

 

[BrewStew]

they look awesome, but they state "Please note the taps are not suitable for pressurised drinks such as beer and cider" ... so does that mean priming them is out of the question?

 

[trunky]

I took that to mean 'the taps that they supply' and that 'other' taps should be ok, as tbh, their taps look poop and look like they are designed to only allow water to trickle out.

 

[Aleman]

Looking at those they do not seem really suitable for beer . . . Although they might be able to be modified to take Shives etc . . . find out first

 

[BrewStew]

my thoughts too, but what about pressure forcing the tap out? you'll also need some spiles and will have to drink it quite quickly once you start drinking it... unless somehow you could hook up a co2 cannister to just replace the headspace with a blanket of CO2... though shhh, don't tell CAMRA :lol:

 

[jamesb]

my thoughts too, but what about pressure forcing the tap out? you'll also need some spiles and will have to drink it quite quickly once you start drinking it... unless somehow you could hook up a co2 cannister to just replace the headspace with a blanket of CO2... though shhh, don't tell CAMRA :lol:

Comment noted. I shall alert the CAMRA death squads.

-- James
Chester & South Clywd CAMRA

 

[trunky]

I still think this is a winner for cider maturing and I dunno if I need/want a tap for that. Anyhoo, found a cheaper source local to me for £49 + 12 delivery if you can't collect - this is for the 225 litre sie - they might have others - http://bristol.gumtree.com/bristol/54/31256854.html

 

[troutrunner]

Here is a copy of the email they sent me when I asked the question !
---------------------------------------------------------------------- :

Hello Paul,

I believe the barrels at
http://www.oak-barrel.com/barrels_and_o ... arrels.htm could be
used for this purpose.

We have the following preparation instructions for wine. I assume
preparation for beer would be similar:

1.. Rinse the barrel several times with cold water.
2.. Half fill the barrel with hot water (60 to 70 deg C).
3.. If available add soda ash solution and mix.
4.. Completely fill with hot water and replace the bung.
5.. Allow the barrel to stand for 24 hours then rinse it several times with
cold water.
6.. Check the barrel for leaks. If there are any leaks then allow it to
stand for another 24 hours.
7.. Empty the water and fill IMMEDIATELY with wine or fill completely with
cold water for storage. In order to keep the barrel in good condition always
keep the barrel full with either wine or water. Check the liquid level
periodically and top up if necessary.

Kind Regards,

Philip Scott
http://www.oak-barrel.com

 

[percival]

good info, and looks simple enough

if the barrel faeiries paid me a visit i'd be using it for wine. Can't see why they can't be perfect for a still cider. When you consider some of the improvised and adapted kit people have on show in this forum i can't see why the concerns over using them for beer (or sparkling cider) can't be addressed. But they probably do need addressing!

 

[Westwinds Brewery]

I have a chestnut barrel 30litres for my cider, I haven't put a tap in it as I use it only to condition the cider, lovely mellow/sweet taste. I then prime bottles to produce 'fizz' and transfer
Brian

 

[prolix]

They do look nice but I would have to alter brew lengt again :nono:

so guys if you get one let us know what they are like