1/6th Keg for Long Term Aging

[Antler24]

Has anyone used a sanke keg for long term aging like 4-5 years? I've read numerous posts saying how spirits won't age in a container unless it can breath so glass and kegs were usually not good for this. I read last night (can't remember what forum) but a guy was aging in glass with stoppers made of oak. What's everyones opinions on this?

[DAD300]

Storage, oaking and aging are three distinct processes.

Some very impressive places are "oaking" in stainless barrels (charred chips or stakes) and "aging" in wood barrels. Even some vineyards have gone to stainless.

Depends on what you can afford and your idea of taste.

I can see oaking in stainless, glass scares my from a breakage standpoint although I do it. I also have no problem adding adjunct things for taste. Dried cherries, raisins, a piece of vanilla bean, a drop of sherry add a lot of depth to a glass jug oaked whiskey.

For storage, SS is king, if you can afford it.

[Bohunk]

I have an eight gallon stainless beer keg, I put some charred oak strips cut from barrel staves in it, before I filled it. I also cut a round piece of oak to fit over the bung, it's only about 1/4 inch thick, so I have always hoped it would breath a little through that cover. The barrel has been filled for about four years now, and I roll it around the floor each time I pass by it. I can only tell you, I hope it's getting better in that barrel.

The Ole Bohunk

[Antler24]

Storage, oaking and aging are three distinct processes.

Some very impressive places are "oaking" in stainless barrels (charred chips or stakes) and "aging" in wood barrels. Even some vineyards have gone to stainless.

Depends on what you can afford and your idea of taste.

I can see oaking in stainless, glass scares my from a breakage standpoint although I do it. I also have no problem adding adjunct things for taste. Dried cherries, raisins, a piece of vanilla bean, a drop of sherry add a lot of depth to a glass jug oaked whiskey.

For storage, SS is king, if you can afford it.

I already have a 1/6thbbl sanke keg.

Ok, so the spirits stored in oak barrels for 5,8,10 yrs or more, is that considered oaking or aging?

I'll adjust my question a little here. Can a person aging and/or oaking a spirit in stainless using the oak stopper method (and additional oak) achieve the same results as the professionals aging in an oak barrel?

I have an eight gallon stainless beer keg, I put some charred oak strips cut from barrel staves in it, before I filled it. I also cut a round piece of oak to fit over the bung, it's only about 1/4 inch thick, so I have always hoped it would breath a little through that cover. The barrel has been filled for about four years now, and I roll it around the floor each time I pass by it. I can only tell you, I hope it's getting better in that barrel.

The Ole Bohunk

You haven't touched it since you put it in the keg!? Can I have your patience when your done with it?

[DAD300]

It could be oaking & aging...it would be a big debate. I'm surprised more haven't joined in.

Even in barrels the size of the barrel (3,5,25,75 gallons) changes things, the ratio of wood to liquid, the air infiltration,...new barrels or old barrels...the variables are huge.

You just have to try and see if it is acceptable to you.

I have done both and the barrel seems far slower than wood chips in a glass jug. Also, with chips I can change the char and bake on them and sample the results...with a cask/barrel, you get what you got and it's expensive.

[ga flatwoods]

I have suggested on here many times that the shizit for storage oaking and aging is a corney keg! You know the old stainless steel kegs either pin or ball lock? They are five gallon, have a large enough hole for easy access and cleaning. Four for around $150 delivered to your door.
Ga Flatwoods

[White_Lightning_Rod]

I have suggested on here many times that the shizit for storage oaking and aging is a corney keg! You know the old stainless steel kegs either pin or ball lock? They are five gallon, have a large enough hole for easy access and cleaning. Four for around $150 delivered to your door.
Ga Flatwoods

Picked up a couple used ones locally just for this.

Work great for feints, low wines, and aging all

[Antler24]

I have suggested on here many times that the shizit for storage oaking and aging is a corney keg! You know the old stainless steel kegs either pin or ball lock? They are five gallon, have a large enough hole for easy access and cleaning. Four for around $150 delivered to your door.
Ga Flatwoods

I actually just sold 4 of these a few months ago, got rid of my kegging and all grain brewing gear. What do you do about the seals? Also, your spirits wouldn't actually age, as they can't breath in a sealed corny correct?

[ga flatwoods]

Antler you cant prove that by me as I open and check mine ever so often and have put co2 on and let it bleed off and on and off again. I dont do anything about the seals outside of wax them heavily. They dont touch the product.
GF

[Antler24]

Antler you cant prove that by me as I open and check mine ever so often and have put co2 on and let it bleed off and on and off again. I dont do anything about the seals outside of wax them heavily. They dont touch the product.
GF

Fair enough, not trying to say your doing it wrong just want to know how everyone else does it and what people have found works in a given situation.

[Antler24]

Want to liven up this thread again. I'm still planning to long term age in these kegs but I've changed my mind a little. I'm going to let the 1/6th keg sit in my basement hopefully to become a thumper soon. I'm going to look around for a full 15.5 gallon keg to age in. In the meantime stash a gallon of white dog at a time until I can fill the keg. I'm going to do it solera style. I'll fill the keg add a dozen or so oak sticks and close it up for 6-12 months. Once a year I'll pull a gallon to bottle and top off with fresh white dog, and replace a piece of oak or two.

What's everyone's opinions on this idea?


Note: I'm going to have to put the keg somewhere where it's not easily accessible to avoid sampling and drinking it all, I'm thinking my grandfathers old root cellar would be a nice place for it.

[Halfbaked]

Its a good idea. Corny kegs are easier to put in and take out and drop oak sticks in and get out. Cheap corny kegs are just about a thing of the past. If you do sanke kegs you don't have to put the spear back in.. I would get a PTFE gasket and a clamp and go after it. make or buy you a wine thief to do tastings.

[Antler24]

Its a good idea. Corny kegs are easier to put in and take out and drop oak sticks in and get out. Cheap corny kegs are just about a thing of the past. If you do sanke kegs you don't have to put the spear back in.. I would get a PTFE gasket and a clamp and go after it. make or buy you a wine thief to do tastings.

I don't like the idea of aging in a corny for some reason, feel much safer with a sanke keg. I know that's not fact, just my opinion. The PTFE gasket is something I'll look into, I also though about using a piece of oak for a cap, cut down to clamp on with a tri-clamp.