So I've got a 5 gallon barrel. It had bourbon in it for 250 days. Soon I will attempt my first sour ale. I'll be fermenting with a commercial Belgian yeast and then racking to the barrel with some Jolly Pumpkin dregs.
I'm wondering how possible it would be to continually produce a consistent beer in a single barrel (no blending). I know that over time the amount of oak flavor will decrease. Can I expect the yeast character to change as well? What else will change about the flavor over time if I keep my recipe and primary fermentation the same? How long can I expect the barrel to last and what will signal that it is time for retirement?
I'm wondering how possible it would be to continually produce a consistent beer in a single barrel (no blending). I know that over time the amount of oak flavor will decrease. Can I expect the yeast character to change as well? What else will change about the flavor over time if I keep my recipe and primary fermentation the same? How long can I expect the barrel to last and what will signal that it is time for retirement?