1000 Oaks Barrel Co. Barrels

[bcmaui]

I have heard that it is a "surface area" thing, and correct me if I'm wrong - but isn't it a "time" thing too? Maybe the first batch you only have to leave in there for a couple of days.... next batch a week, third batch a few weeks, etc. ?


Mylo

If you have wood on for more than 4 hours I thought you were supposed to call your doctor immediately?

[Lars]

The claims of creating great tasting liquors using cheap Vodka sound too good to be true.

These claims are certainly too good to be true. Good liquor cannot be recovered from cheap crap. And besides, if you are oaking a liquor it should be done at barrel strength (over 100 proof).

[slim chillingsworth]

I was thinking along the lines of filling one with a cheap Cabernet wine from a local winery for a couple months to draw out the oak and add flavor to the barrel before putting a beer in there.

Wayne

that was basically what i figured i'd do, except i'd just brew up a cheap extract beer for it. or maybe something with a higher gravity if it would help.

[slim chillingsworth]

What about using one of these to serve out of, i.e. cask ale style. Maybe something you want a little oak flavor in. Fill it up a couple days before a party, and by the time you are serving it should be pretty good.

my only concern would be carbonation. i'm not sure if the barrels can hold much pressure.

[Lars]

No offense guys, but didn't the basic programming from the '80s teach you anything??? GIGO - Garbage in - garbage out. Why spend $150 on a barrel and put cheap shit in it? If you want to experiment in that way use some oak cubes, and save the barrel for some of your better brew.

[slim chillingsworth]

No offense guys, but didn't the basic programming from the '80s teach you anything??? GIGO - Garbage in - garbage out. Why spend $150 on a barrel and put cheap shit in it? If you want to experiment in that way use some oak cubes, and save the barrel for some of your better brew.

i believe there's a bit of confusion here. fastdogbrewing was talking about using these barrels to improve shitty vodka. bugeater and i were talking about using something cheap to condition the barrel and avoid the harshness of a new oak. i think you're confusing the two points.

[Stewbacca]

Just looking at the two the one from 1000 oaks looks to be built better. I have actually looked at the 1000 oaks before for storing distilled beverages.
As for using the barrel to age beer i dunno, I would personally go with some cubes instead. Take a listen to the wood aged beer episode of the Jamil show. It really boils down to your personal taste and if you have space to store a barrel.. and dont forget you all ways need to keep the barrel wet and cant let it dry out..



Thats my .02

[Lars]

i believe there's a bit of confusion here. fastdogbrewing was talking about using these barrels to improve shitty vodka. bugeater and i were talking about using something cheap to condition the barrel and avoid the harshness of a new oak. i think you're confusing the two points.

Yes, you are right. Sorry for the confusion. But, I still wouldn't want to put cheap wine or inferior beer in a new barrel. Mostly because it will get into the wood and flavor the barrel, and then you are stuck with it. I'd much prefer to fill it with water and let it sit a few days (this is what I've done in the past), and not have to worry about the cheap stuff.