 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/1/2007(UTC)
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"Sorry if this should be in another area, but hoping someone in general or a moderator from Brewhaus might answer?
1) Would like to confirm the economy kegs won't work for ageing?
2) the premium kegs say they are varnished. Another website (mile-hi) that sells kegs says varnish is a no no as it leaches back into the inside. Any thoughts on that?
3) what is difference between toasted and charred in terms of final outcome/flavor/colors?"
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 Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
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I hope this helps: Quote:1) Would like to confirm the economy kegs won't work for ageing? We do not suggest ANY barrels in this price range for aging, regardless of where you find them. This is due to the wood used by the coopers who produce them, and the weight of the staves themselves. They also tend to be only a light char when compared with other, fully charred barrels, as well. Quote:2) the premium kegs say they are varnished. Another website (mile-hi) that sells kegs says varnish is a no no as it leaches back into the inside. Any thoughts on that? Do not believe generalizations. While it is definitely true that you do not want aging product coming into contact with a non-food grade varnish, the likelihood of the liquid soaking all the way through the oak in order to come into contact with the varnish is slim (and would give you much more grief, beyond the issue of spirit contacting the stain). Still, our barrels use water-based, food-grade varnish. Quote:3) what is difference between toasted and charred in terms of final outcome/flavor/colors? In general, toasted oak is used for wine, while charred oak is used for spirits. There are always preferences one way or the other, but use this rule of thumb as a starting point.
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
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Thanks so much for the fast and detailed reply. Any idea when Brewhaus will be getting in the premium kegs? webiste shows them out of stock.
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
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They finally hit the water a little more than two weeks ago, so with luck we should (hopefully) see them in the next week and a half.
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/1/2007(UTC)
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"Trying to decide between 2L and 4L, shuld one plan on filling full keg, or can one just fill it halfway?
Just wondering if I could have a 4L and fill it halfway with first batch, then later top it off?
And would toasted be ok for scotch?"
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/1/2007(UTC)
Posts: 50
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anyone care to answer? maybe someone from brewhaus?
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
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You will always want to keep your keg full, or at least quite near.
In general, for spirits you will want a charred barrel, although there are different schools of thought about the different characters pulled from varying levels of toasting / charring. In the end, it really comes down to your own tastes.
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/1/2007(UTC)
Posts: 50
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Just got my keg, are there any special instructions to prep it? I imagine rinse it out a few times. But should it be kept with water in it for a day to swell the wood or anything? or is it ready to go?
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 Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/27/2007(UTC)
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"You might want to at least fill it all the way up with water to check fo leaks. I got my keg yesterday (8L) and filled it up with water and found I had a small leak at the bottom (if keg is standing on end). I noticed that the metal hoops on the ends were a little loose (probably from shipping and change of atmosphere), so I got my wooden mallet and tapped the metal hoops further on to the keg and the leaking stopped. I'm not sure about prepping it to have the wood swell, so I'm keeping an eye on this thread and hope a more expierenced person can help with that.
TS"
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
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Left dry, the wood in kegs will dry very quickly, causing it to shrink. You can fill the keg with water, continually replacing what runs out (if the drying is significant) and tighten the keg back up in an hour or so.
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