Racking of a barrel ? Direct to bottling or clearing again in carboy?

[Sballe]

So I finally got myself a small oak-barrel for aging. just 2 gallon-barrel. My question is - how do you rack of an oak barrel? Since I cant see the lees? Do you bottle straight from the barrel or do I have to rack to a demi-john, and let it clear again?

First time with a barrel, so hope someone can share a little expertice

(I made some ice-cider, had it clearing in demijohns for 3-4 months, then racked to barrel... perhaps I did it the wrong way around..?)



**Posted this in Cider-forum, but now moved to "General Brewing **

 

[hottpeper13]

If you keep the siphon straight up and rack into bottling bucket the lees should stay behind in the bilge. The bonus with a barrel is the wood seems to attract yeast and mine are always crystal clear. I go straight from primary to barrel and keep it there for 6-8 months ,but it's an old 5 gal one and has many rotations.

 

[Sballe]

Thx ! Great help