Barrel age info

[ajbosley2015]

First forgive me if there is already a thread discussing this.
I brewed an entire series based on Blue Moon flavor profile:
Dunkel Side of the Moon -- Valencia Orange coriander Dunkel
Darker Side of the Moon -- Bitter orange black pepper porter
Darkest Side of the Moon --Valencia Orange and marmalade chocolate stout

I also got my hands on a 5 gallon barrel:
3.5 year aged 119 proof bourbon
drained and then 2.5 year single malt whiskey age

drained two weeks ago

I am going to age my second Darkest Side of the Moon in the barrel to what I will call Drunken Side of the Moon, it has already taken its course through primary and secondary, already had cacao nib secondary addition, been in the secondary for 4 weeks. Excellent flavor profile as it sits.

I'm just begging everyone for all pointers in barrel aging this brew. I am hoping for a really great turnout from this.

And...go!

 

[Rob2010SS]

The only thing I can really tell you is time. I've ran two imperial stouts through my barrel. First one was in 3 weeks. The flavor at 3 weeks was right where I wanted it. What I didn't plan on was that flavor fading just a tad. While still good, it could use more barrel character.

My second one I let it sit 4 weeks. At 4 weeks, the barrel character was pretty potent and just as I figured, it mellowed just a bit and ended up right where I wanted it.

I would start sampling it right around the 2-3 week mark.

I haven't done this on mine so I have no room to talk, but if you haven't done it yet, put a "vinnie nail" in your barrel...

This allows you to pull a sample without opening the bung. If you already knew this, my apologies.

 

[ajbosley2015]

Thanks for the advice.

I got with the distillery and of course they have never made beer so they couldn't be of much help other than prepping. Filled with water to rehydrate, drained the water and am storing it for coffee brewing (amazing bourbon barrel coffee 10/10 do recommend doing this). After two days of rehydrating there were zero leaks. I racked into the barrel, and now the magic happens. It has been a day since racking and I swear to you the barrel has already increased the orange aroma in the beer and I am super excited for what comes out of it. I have a set amount of aging time which I am putting at 4 weeks at a controlled 57 degrees and 44 percent relative humidity. I will update when it comes out and again after bottle conditioning.

Heres hoping for an impressive brew!

 

[Rob2010SS]

Good luck! Post back how it comes out.