Pretty psyched!

[boondocksaint]

Today I picked up a 10 Gal craft bourbon barrel from a local craft brewery for a super reasonable price!
Planning on sanitizing it with boiling water and then re-charging it with a 1/5 of bourbon (or maybe that new cask mates Jameson's!?). I figured I'd let that chill while the oatmeal breakfast stout I just brewed Fri ferments. I'll be away for about a month starting next week, so when I get back I'll dump the whiskey and transfer the stout into the barrel and let it hang out for a month or two. Then, keg & enjoy!

 

[CJ-3]

Congrats on getting your barrel!

If it was me, I would try to recharge it with a similar spirit as to what it once held so the flavors wouldn't get muddied up.

 

[boondocksaint]

Good point. I don't think I can get Tuthilltown bourbon here but am sure I can sub something!

 

[CJ-3]

Do you have anyone who can flip and turn your barrel around while you are gone? It would help with getting the bourbon to contact as much as possible.

 

[boondocksaint]

Yeah, im either going to get COMHOMFLT (wife) on tap to turn & flip every couple of days or a buddy (brewing partner) offered to take on barrel duty. You're right, I def want to keep the wood from drying out!