Barrels for aging beer

[seanhagerty]

Several times I have heard folks mention aging beer in oak barrels. Local to where I live is a barrel maker. I called them this morning to discuss prices and using them with beers.

I called Barrels of Fun in Lebanon, Missouri. They make barrels ranging from 1 gallon to 30 gallons. Price for a 5 gallon barrel is about $135 and a 10 gallon barrel is about $165. In addition you will need a spigot to drain the beer from the barrel once its properly aged, $15.00. They also talked of differnt types of "treatments" inside the barrel, they recommended 'light toasting' for the barrel insides. I think this involves fire treatment of the inner surfaces to add coloring and flavours. there are other treatments, although I forgot to ask about them.

If anyone is interested, I can pick the barrel up for you and we can try to make shipping as cheap as possible.

Sean

[Sent From My iPhone]

Hey Sean, did you ever try these barrels?

[chrishw]

I talked to someone at heaven-hill a while ago (Elijah Craig and Evan Williams) and a 55G barrel is 45 bucks. They would prefer not to ship- for those who listened to the show Sunday remember barrels are fragile! They will ship though.

[Sent From My iPhone]

I'd be more interested in the 5-10 gallon range.

[Brant]

sean, do you have a website possibly or phone number of the place? Id make a trip to lebanon for a barrel.

edit: sean, I checked their site and it says they are closed for business due to fire. are they still selling used barrels.

[seanhagerty]

Hey guys,

Sorry about the delay.

Bad news the barrel manufacturer is still there, but the retail store burnt and I dont have my contact there.

I did not get a barrel from this place, Schlafly's in Saint Louis gave us a barrel they had used for their brews. We tried to get it ready (my club), but we didnt give the barrel the right TLC, and it leaked and had a funky smell to it. We decided to not put our BW in it to age.

Sorry all I can give you is negative answers, but its all I got.

Sean