Oak Barrel Questions

[MisterTipsy]

I'm thinking about getting an oak barrel for aging sour beer.

Should I have the outside varnished or not? I'm not sure of the pros and cons of varnishing the outside of the barrel. Maybe less oxygen permeability? Perhaps it's just for looks? I don't know.

What do you think?

http://www.barrelsonline.com/BrowseProducts.aspx?DepID=5

 

[Bamsdealer]

very cool. Not sure on the varnish. On one hand, it may look nicer and create a better seal for oxygen... on the other hand, could the contaminants from the varnish leech through the wood into the beer?

 

[MisterTipsy]

very cool. Not sure on the varnish. On one hand, it may look nicer and create a better seal for oxygen... on the other hand, could the contaminants from the varnish leech through the wood into the beer?

It's like you're reading my mind. nestar:

I wondered about leaching too.

 

[MisterTipsy]

This is the only mention about varnish on their site.

--Varnish on the outside is optional for those looking into getting the most flavour from their oak wine barrels.--

 

[Quaker]

I've been wondering similar in order to reduce oxygen infiltration referencing Wild Brews. My thought was to seal the sides with a thinned bees wax (because it's free for me) and just leave the heads porous to get closer to the commercial barrels O2 exposure. I feared the leaching of varnish or polyurethane, and figured the wax is more natural - not pretty though. But I'm a couple years out from my chance at barrels while overseas, so I'll sit back and watch what others figure out here.

 

[jessup]

Do not varnish. The permeability is kind of why the barrel is desired albeit a but much in small barrels. Dont mess with it & use only campden/metabisulfate/sulfur or vinegar for cleaning. Even hot water is no good due to nasties from our hot water heater tanks. Barrel care = very important, treat it like a living thing if you're goin sour. Enjoy the ride

 

[MisterTipsy]

Thanks for that.

I'm going to use it exclusively for sours. Can I just dump another batch in the barrel without cleaning the inside as long as I do it promptly?

 

[jessup]

I meant vinegar for exterior cleaning btw. Yep just dump & fill promptly. Do not allow to sit dry. If you need time between dump>fill then fill with cold water & campden. It must always be filled though!

 

[MisterTipsy]

Thanks for your help.

 

[bajema]

To reduce oxygen permeability you might think about coating all or a portion of the staves with wax. See this link:

http://funkfactorybrewing.blogspot.com/2012/02/paraffin-waxing-barrel.html

 

[wineoakbarrel]

I think that end of varnish, it is not the problem. I believe that these barrels are made of secondhand staves of barrels of 225 liters.
lined with wax inside is very dangerous

 

[MisterTipsy]

Thanks for bumping this and reminding me. I'm still planning on getting one of these later this year.

 

[TheBarrelGuru]

I have found that Deep South Barrels makes a great barrel. They are a little more than barrels online but the quality is far superior.