Blue HDPE barrels for long term storage

[dye4me]

I've reached a point where using 15gallon snakes misbecoming a PITA for long term storage of sour beers. I've been thinking about trying new HDPE blue barrels. I know we've all seen the chart in our favourite badly written sour brew book, but I notice that chart does not speak to the effectiveness of the excellent sealing properties and wall thickness found on blue hope barrels.

So has anybody actually ever tried a blue 55 gallon hdpe opened head barrel with a proper gasket and lock ring for long term storage?

 

[cactusgarrett]

I'm currently using a 32-ish gallon barrel. Only started using it about 7 months ago, but the few tastes i've pulled have me confident it's got no unwanted oxygen ingress.

36952656_10156684071347975_5910021354601578496_o

• cactusgarrett
• Nov 5, 2018

36862002_10156684071457975_5319624867941711872_o

• cactusgarrett
• Nov 5, 2018

 

[mashpaddled]

I've seen people use those 15 gal barrels as fermentation vessels and you would think they hold up to oxidation given they are frequently used to ship LME, honey and other food and beverage ingredients. I don't have specific data on these barrels but if people brew sour beer in the typical 7.9 gal buckets without problems I don't see why a larger, thicker barrel would be any worse.