WINE BARREL GUIDE
BARREL SPECS:
- Size: 59 - 60 Gallon (224/227 Liter)
- Oak Type: American White Oak (Quercus alba), French Oak (Quercus robur), Hungarian Oak (Quercus frainetto)
- Bung Size / Type: #11 Solid Silicone Bung or #11 Fermentation Ventilation Bung
NEED HELP WITH YOUR BARREL?
If we’re doing our job correctly, there shouldn’t be a whole lot of care needed for your barrels. But sometimes life happens and barrels aren’t filled quite as quickly as you anticipated.
WINE BARREL CARE
What you should know:
Backed by our MWBC quality promise, liquid grade barrels are guaranteed leak-free for 30 days. All barrels are visually inspected and, if necessary, pressure checked for leaks. If we find a leaky barrel we do not fix it, as this is usually just a temporary fix. Instead, we sell these non-fillable barrels as furniture and décor. This ensures only the highest quality barrels are delivered to be refilled.
OUR BRAND PROMISE
At Midwest Barrel Co. we take pride in doing things right. Simply put, that means our customers get the right barrel at the right time, by people who actually give a damn. It’s our promise.
GUARANTEED LEAK-FREE FOR 30 DAYS
FRESH DUMPED
MULTI-POINT INSPECTION
DECOR GRADE BARRELS
WHY TIMING IS IMPORTANT
A successful barrel-aging program takes time and commitment.
We know that a lot of planning and execution goes into your brewing schedule and fill dates. For best results, we always recommend filling within 7 days of receipt. Your barrels will arrive tight and ready to fill.
Couldn’t fill within a week – now what???
We get it, dates and times don’t always line up just perfect. Generally, filling barrels within three weeks of arrival shouldn’t pose a problem.
But...the longer a barrel sits, the drier it becomes. This makes the barrel more prone to leaks. If you know you will not be filling your barrel immediately, we suggest holding off on purchasing until closer to your fill date.
Should you be unable to fill your barrel immediately, we encourage you to store it in a cool and humid environment (think dank basement or cellar). If you plan to fill beyond that amount of time, you may need to take some simple steps to swell your barrel before filling.
BARREL FILLING
We recommend filling your barrels as soon as you receive them. At most, fill before 30 days. If you plan to fill your barrels more than one week after receiving, then make sure to store them in a cool, humid environment to preserve freshness.
STORAGE
Our recommendation is to store the barrels horizontally on barrel racks. When barrels are filled and stored vertically, the top head tends to dry out because the liquid inside the barrel will decrease in volume and eventually lose contact with the top head. Once this happens, air is able to enter through the top head and potentially oxidize the beverage or allow microbes to enter the barrel.
LET’S KEEP IT FRESH
Barrel Storage Tips