Home Distiller

So, long story, but i have recently come into possession of a beer cask:
http://www.nobodybuy.com/2010/04/21/Mic ... r-cask.jpg
i've done a search, maybe not as exhaustive as i could, but couldn't find anything about aging in something like this.

anyone have experience with it? from what i've found online, they can hold either 9 gallons or 10.8 gallons, depending on the type of cask. most often used for 'cask-conditioned' ales, i am wondering:
might it be a nice thing to use for aging whisky?
how would i clean something like this (it was located outside)?
where does one purchase the bung and spigot for this cask?
how would long term aging in this type of cask impact the way one would oak?

i am hoping it is a doable thing, because i would like to fill something this big to age and then stash it somewhere for a good long time!

-greenmtnfermenter

wont really age in that. could be used for storage. bungs are odd sized, make one
beer was removed under CO2 pressure.

The link you posted times out.

I use stainless corny kegs to age UJSM and Sweetfeed. I use charred oak from a wine barrel. So far, the longer the better, less oak and more time is the key. You have to make enough product so that you can build up a stash of aged stuff. If you're making a gallon of whiskey a week, and drinking a gallon a week, you're just staying even.


Bull.

Ive used ss keg to age with charred strips also .Made a white oak stopper for it.Stored 130 proof likker in it in shed for little over year.Angles did get a share.Results were well received.

Here's a better link (i think)
http://www.ntmzj.com/Beer-Cask-p-64975

i guess i have to go back to reading; not sure why it wouldn't age in something like this (more than just for storage)
why would it be all that different than aging in a glass carboy with toasted/charred sticks in there?

even if just for storing, that would be alright, though...

GreenMNT wrote

not sure why it wouldn't age in something like this (more than just for storage)
why would it be all that different than aging in a glass carboy with toasted/charred sticks in there?

Tater wrote:Ive used ss keg to age with charred strips also .Made a white oak stopper for it.Stored 130 proof likker in it in shed for little over year.Angles did get a share.Results were well received.

true. must've missed that
i was responding to Dnderheads comment that it:

wont really age in that. could be used for storage.

so, two conflicting opinions...

Part of aging is loosing some to the "angels" also interaction with o2.
now,if you filled part way and used a "breathable" stopper it mite happon.

I have more than a little experience with this kind of cask (I work as brewer at a real ale microbrewery). They normally come in 4.5, 9 and 18 gallon.

My advice is clean it with a jet wash. Just jam the nozzle in through the bigger of the two holes and move it around then use your sterilizer.
I wouldn't use the shives or keystones normally used to bung up the cask because they are normally made of plastic. Maybe make your own out of oak or cork or something?
It will be pretty much the same as aging in glass except much much bigger

thanks! that is what i was hoping to hear!
now to get my pot made and working!