Brewing Master

Question:

I was recently at a homebrew store in Myrtle Beach, and I finally got to speak with someone about brewing in oak kegs.  My questions are mostly about availability.  Where do you get them CHEAP and what exactly would go into making the whole thing happen.  I would plan on doing the WHOLE brewing process in the keg to optimize the oak (or whatever wood) flavor.  Has anyone done this, and if so what do I need to know?  Pros and cons.  The keg would be tapped and we would drink it in one nite, so I would want to let it naturally carbonate in the cask.  if you can help, either post it or email.

Response:

I know that you can buy new French Oak wooden casks several places in the Napa Valley in California, but I don’t recall ever seeing a mail order source. Be prepared for HIGH PRICES, though, especially if you buy NEW kegs. Since the USED casks were used for wine production, I’m not sure how appropriate they would be for re-use in brewing. Once you get some, take VERY good care of them — they’re normally meant to last a lifetime. The advice I’ve seen is to always use the same cask for the same type of beer, because stuff gets into the wood and stays there, and it can cause problems. I have no idea about carbonation, natural or otherwise, in wooden casks. —  David R. Rorabaugh  Systems Operations Specialist  Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky LLP  The opinions expressed are my own. —

Response:

I was recently at a homebrew store in Myrtle Beach, and I finally got to speak with someone about brewing in oak kegs.  My questions are mostly about availability.  Where do you get them CHEAP and what exactly would go into making the whole thing happen.  I would plan on doing the WHOLE brewing process in the keg to optimize the oak (or whatever wood) flavor.  Has anyone done this, and if so what do I need to know?  Pros and cons.  The keg would be tapped and we would drink it in one nite, so I would want to let it naturally carbonate in the cask.  if you can help, either post it or email.

Gee, quality oak barrels cheap…never heard of that.  There are according to the wine makers special problems with contamination in oak barrels.  Might try your question on rec.crafts.winemaking  if you have not.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was recently at a homebrew store in Myrtle Beach, and I finally got to speak with someone about brewing in oak kegs.  My questions are mostly about availability.  Where do you get them CHEAP and what exactly would go into making the whole thing happen.  I would plan on doing the WHOLE brewing process in the keg to optimize the oak (or whatever wood) flavor.  Has anyone done this, and if so what do I need to know?  Pros and cons.  The keg would be tapped and we would drink it in one nite, so I would want to let it naturally carbonate in the cask.  if you can help, either post it or email. Gee, quality oak barrels cheap…never heard of that.  There are according to the wine makers special problems with contamination in oak barrels.  Might try your question on rec.crafts.winemaking  if you have not.

See Dave Line’s "Big Book of Homebrewing" for a discussion of beers from the wood.  I’ve  seen old Jack Daniels kegs for sale at garden supply stores on occasion. People cut them in half and use them for planters. One guy who worked in such a store once told me that the kegs usually contain the dregs of the whiskey, which may serve to keep the insides moderately sanitary.                                 regards                                 simon

Response:

If you want oak flavor, use oak chips. About a tablespoon, boiled in the last few minutes of the boil, and you’ll have plenty. A new American Oak keg will cost you about $90, and is unlikely to hold carbonation. They aren’t made to do that. It will give you so much oak flavor you will wish you were a termite. It will become the primary source of infection in your brewery if you don’t take scrupulous care of it. Having a barrel is like having a pet, you have to feed it, groom it, protect it from/rid it of pests, make sure it does not get sick, and care for it in its old age. It can be a total p.i.t.a. Wine will sanitize it, but beer will not. It is, however, colorful.   Have fun ! Greatferm

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I was recently at a homebrew store in Myrtle Beach, and I finally got

to speak with someone about brewing in oak kegs.  My questions are mostly about

I remember in 1967 sharing a five gallon wooden keg of beer straight from the brewery, CastlemainXXXX in Brisbane Australia. It was good beer though I dont know if the keg had any thing to do with it. Last year when I was in brisbane, the local leagues club put on a wooden keg as they do every saturday. Queensland culture at its best. I remember that a spigot was hammered into the business end and a bung removed from a stave to let the thing flow. No gas as I recall. Write to Castlemaine Four X in Brisbane Australia. I’;m sure they will provide details. Owen

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Do you have a known source for the new American Oak kegs you mention as selling for $90? I’ve been looking, but haven’t found anything. That seems to be quite a good price — do you know what capacity that was for? —  David R. Rorabaugh  Systems Operations Specialist  Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky LLP  The opinions expressed are my own. —

Response:

SNIP< A new American Oak keg will cost you about $90, and is unlikely to hold carbonation. They aren’t made to do that. It will give you so much oak flavor you will wish you were a termite. It will become the primary source of infection in your brewery if you don’t take scrupulous care of it. Having a barrel is like having a pet, you have to feed it, groom it, protect it from/rid it of pests, make sure it does not get sick, and care for it in its old age. It can be a total p.i.t.a. Wine will sanitize it, but beer will not.

How about mead? And do you know what happens if you char the inside? just wondering john

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