Balcones barrels?

[bellmtbbq]

For Christmas, I was thinking about asking for a 5
gallon Balcones barrel. I'd like to use it once for a rye stout and then start using it for a wild ale. I hear homebrew clubs do mass orders for cheap from the distiller.

 

[bellmtbbq]

Any ideas?

 

[CadillacAndy]

I picked up one of these barrels from Adventures in Homebrewing for like $90. I put a big American Stout thru it first, for about 2 weeks. I have a big, thick oatmeal stout in her now. Excellent quality and great flavors and aroma.

I don't know if I'd buy another one. 5 gallons is a little small - especially for any sort of long term aging. You could probably get away with waxing it to keep the oxygen levels lower, but that seems like a lot of extra work. I picked up a couple of 59 gallon wine barrels for about the same price.

If you have a club, get some guys together and get a 53 gallon bourbon/whiskey barrel. I've been trying for several months to track down something reasonable, but PA isn't exactly know for being liquor friendly.

 

[greyhoundbrewing]

i got one from brewstock in new orleans. barrel + shipping to nj ~103$ +- 3. the guys name is aaron. very nice. i would recommend them to all my friends re: barrels

 

[neovox]

I also have one from AHB. I've only done one in it so far, a Bourbon Barrel aged ale (added Woodford Reserve since I can't get Balcones). Came out fantastic. Don't know how frequently I'll use it, but so far so good. Absolutely no complaints.