Beer Forum

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

Hey Sean, did you ever try these barrels?

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.

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

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.

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