How to Finish a Bourbon Barrel

Barrels used to age different liquors will impart different flavors to the beer.

Beer aged in used oak bourbon barrels takes on the characteristics of the bourbon and the oak, resulting in flavor complexity and possibly a fantastic beer. Barrels used for bourbon are usually made of American white oak, as opposed to the French oak typically used for wine barrels. Although home brewers can find barrels as small as 5 or 10 gallons, the ones used by the bourbon industry are typically "Bordeaux" barrels that hold about 60 gallons. Finishing the barrel is important to give the proper quality of oak and bourbon to the beer. Does this Spark an idea?

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Oak bourbon barrel
Steel brush
Potassium metabisulfite

Instructions

- 1
  
  Let the barrel dry. When you get the barrel it may already be dry, but if it still contains some bourbon, let the alcohol evaporate.
- 2
  
  Rinse the inside of the barrel with warm water. The best temperature for the water is a subject of debate, but very hot water runs the risk of warping the wood and causing cracks between the barrel staves. This step will remove particulate matter left from the previous uses of the barrel.
- 3
  
  Scrub the inside of the barrel with a steel brush. You want to remove about a millimeter of wood from the inside of the barrel to remove debris left by the bourbon aging process.
- 4
  
  Sanitize the inside of the barrel with potassium metabisulfite solution. You can find this chemical at home brewing supply stores and online. When mixed with water, it will release sulfur dioxide and kill mold and bacteria in the barrel.