Should I sterilize a bourbon barrel...

[CiderScot]

What say ye?! Got a bourbon barrel to age my cider in and the manufacturers aren't to quick on the response. Should I rinse, clean or sterilize it before first usage?

 

[77bawls]

Rinse, and sterilize it with Beam.

 

[CiderScot]

Rinse, and sterilize it with Beam.

I have LD Carlson Easy Clean I use for everything else. Will this not work?

 

[dinnerstick]

there was an episode of basic brewing radio about barrel aging, which if i remember correctly had a bit about how to prepare the barrel, i think it's here in the october 8, 2009 issue
http://www.basicbrewing.com/index.php?page=basic-brewing-radio-2009

 

[CiderScot]

Rinse, and sterilize it with Beam.

Wait, do you mean Jim Beam?! It's supposed to have had select bourbon in it already. Wish the people that sold it to me would answer their damn phone!

 

[CiderScot]

there was an episode of basic brewing radio about barrel aging, which if i remember correctly had a bit about how to prepare the barrel, i think it's here in the october 8, 2009 issue
http://www.basicbrewing.com/index.php?page=basic-brewing-radio-2009

They don't really discuss if they rinsed or sterilized the barrel though. Thanks for the link regardless, a lot of good info.

 

[77bawls]

Wait, do you mean Jim Beam?! It's supposed to have had select bourbon in it already. Wish the people that sold it to me would answer their damn phone!

Yea, Jim Beam.
I'm assuming you want to retain some of the flavors of the bourbon. There is no better way to do that than to sanitize with the alcohol itself.