Deofol
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2007
- Messages
- 93
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Last year I did a winter warmer with my wife. As it turned out, it was an amazing brew! Having such a riveting effect across my friends and family she decided to take ownership of the recipe and all the praise that went with it. But we know who the REAL brewer is don't we. :cross:
Anyway, its getting season to start your winter brews and let them get some good age on them for the coming fall season. That being said, this year we are going to brew a double batch of her "Birthday Brew" as we call it (her birthday is Dec 26th). One batch will be the same recipe as last year, and the second batch will get a little special treatment with the addition of a new festive ingredient and a little time in an oak barrel.
Like most of you, when you get the green light from the SWAMBO on an equipment purchase, your probably already on the run to the computer and halfway putting payment information in before she's finished saying "Yes". Not one to break tradition, I started my research to find the perfect oak barrel for homebrew.
I started with my normal channels, LHBS, online HBS, Google, etc and I ran across The Barrel Source from a Google search. I got a 20L oak barrel (which is just over 5 gallons). Man this thing is cool looking. Barrel, stand, bung and brass hoops was like $150 shipped free. Very happy so far.
I plan on christening it with a brown ale I brewed last weekend for a test run, and then dedicate it to heavier barley wines, brown ales, etc. Mostly low hop dark beers.
I've included a few pics from last night. I rinsed it with hot water and filled it to cure. No leaks or anything. All looks good. I plan to rack the brown ale this weekend into it and see what kind of time it takes to get some oaky flavor.
Sorry pic quality is low, phone camera quality. lol
Anyway, its getting season to start your winter brews and let them get some good age on them for the coming fall season. That being said, this year we are going to brew a double batch of her "Birthday Brew" as we call it (her birthday is Dec 26th). One batch will be the same recipe as last year, and the second batch will get a little special treatment with the addition of a new festive ingredient and a little time in an oak barrel.
Like most of you, when you get the green light from the SWAMBO on an equipment purchase, your probably already on the run to the computer and halfway putting payment information in before she's finished saying "Yes". Not one to break tradition, I started my research to find the perfect oak barrel for homebrew.
I started with my normal channels, LHBS, online HBS, Google, etc and I ran across The Barrel Source from a Google search. I got a 20L oak barrel (which is just over 5 gallons). Man this thing is cool looking. Barrel, stand, bung and brass hoops was like $150 shipped free. Very happy so far.
I plan on christening it with a brown ale I brewed last weekend for a test run, and then dedicate it to heavier barley wines, brown ales, etc. Mostly low hop dark beers.
I've included a few pics from last night. I rinsed it with hot water and filled it to cure. No leaks or anything. All looks good. I plan to rack the brown ale this weekend into it and see what kind of time it takes to get some oaky flavor.
Sorry pic quality is low, phone camera quality. lol