Barrel'O'Rebel

[Taf]

I've put our name down as definitely wanting one. Not sure what the story is with the jameson ones, so probably best to just get one of the XXXXXXXX ones while they are going.  I'm up for brewing at my place, and also have room to store the barrell, but we can look at the different options.

[mr hoppy]

Do we know how long they keep fresh after they are emptied?

I know whiskey is different but I'd read that wine barrels apparent get pretty ugly within a week or two and I'm sure once a whiskey barrel dried out it wouldn't be so great either.

[johnrm]

Will we start the discussion on the recipe so?
We need 36 gallons plus absorption I think so 40 gallons?

What volume are each of you willing or able to contribute?

1. johnrm 23l, could double up
2. Mr happy
3. TAF
4. Blackbrew
5. Dara

[Blackbrew]

I can do 80L once my big FV is free else 23L if its needed in a hurry?

[johnrm]

Jeasus, thats half the Barrel, leave room for the other lads!

[Taf]

I can also do 80 to 100 litres, but would probably do less to get a higher gravity. I was thinking maybe we could have a group brewday at my place, where everyone could bring ingredients but maybe do one big batch plus another few small batches using the same recipe and ingredients for the sake of consistency. We could have a bit of a bbq as well maybe?

We also need to decide what we are brewing. I know that Sam and myself are keen to do a black IPA, but just wondering what others thing of that?

[johnrm]

I like the sound of the BIPA, but are we risking the Hops fading as the barrel is aging?

[Taf]

I like the sound of the BIPA, but are we risking the Hops fading as the barrel is aging?

That all depends on how well we hop it! We should also dry hop it once it comes out of the barrel.

[Blackbrew]

Mostly late and whirlpool hops and I think it will be fine. I guess if will be going out of the barrel into kegs so can dry hopped then also if required, or maybe possible to DH in the barrel?

I could bring my 80L MT and 100L BK and gas burner to your place we can use the BK as a HLT.

I cant bring the stand/pumps as they are fixed to the shed so will have to transfer and whirlpool the old fashioned way. Still if we have plenty of people should go easy enough!

Hops wise I have got cascade and centennial in large amounts and Citra pellets in obscene amounts.. I know you have some tasty options too Taf ?

[Dara]

How's it going lads,

I can provide the standard 23L @ 1.050. By the sounds of it I don't think volume will be our issue. As Mr. Happy was saying we probably need to think a bit about sanitation on the barrel - would need to do a bit of research on this. Ultimately what ever we do, the fate of the beer will be in the lap of the gods to some extent. I'd imagine though contaminants will pretty much be on the inside surface as tannins and years of soaking up booze would have sorted anything in the wood even if it were dry. Sanitation will be difficult though as I'd imagine we will have little access to the inside (small hole in barrel). The other side of things will be on the scale side of it - things never go according to plan when you scale-up (from non-brewing experience but the same problems exist).  e.g We probably would need to think about the starter, or do we just lash in a load of packets of yeast, aeration of the beer - picking this up and shaking it isn't an option, transfer into the barrel, taking the yeast off bottom bla bla bla, ok my mind is beginning to wander - a meet up and several beers will sort it all out. Oh yeah, and a barrel

Dara

[johnrm]

We need to meet soon then as these barrels are on the way.
We can't leave it without its new resident for long either.
Time and place?
Weekday evening in the Well?
Monday/ Tuesday,  say 7or8  for an hour?

[johnrm]

Just thinking, Taf ends up with a new oak floor after this is done 

[Taf]

We need to meet soon then as these barrels are on the way.
We can't leave it without its new resident for long either.
Time and place?
Weekday evening in the Well?
Monday/ Tuesday,  say 7or8  for an hour?

Yes, lets meet up during the week.

[Blackbrew]

Was thinking brew and primary as normal then age in the cask. If the barrels are fresh then I would say do nothing or a flush with starsan and rack in?

[Will_D]

If the barrels are fresh 

Have you seen the photos?? Fresh? They are containing half or more like a litre of cask strength ( Thats about 80% abv!!!)

They do NOT need sanitising!!!