Sourcing Vintage Beer Barrels: A Guide To Buying Aged Casks

If you're looking to buy old beer barrels, there are a variety of vendors to choose from. Whether you're a homebrewer, a homebrew club, or a small craft brewery, you can find barrels for ageing beer from several online retailers. It's important to ensure that the barrel is suitable for storing beer and hasn't been used solely for decorative purposes. Vendors such as Keystone Homebrew Supply, Bison Brew, Barrels Direct, and The Barrel Broker offer a range of new and used barrels in different sizes and materials. These barrels have typically been used to house bourbon, whisky, wine, brandy, sherry, or port, and can add unique flavours to beers during the ageing process.

Used beer barrels on eBay

EBay has a wide range of used beer barrels for sale, from antique wooden barrels to modern recycled oak casks.

Antique Wooden Barrels

If you're looking for a rustic, vintage addition to your home or garden, eBay offers a variety of antique wooden beer barrels. These barrels, ranging from the 19th to the early 20th centuries, can add a unique, old-world charm to your space. They are often made of wood with metal or iron bands and feature a traditional keg or cask shape. Some may even include antique butter churns or other interesting details.

Recycled Oak Beer Barrels

For a more modern option, eBay also offers recycled solid oak whisky and beer kegs. These barrels, typically 40 gallons in size, are ideal for outdoor use and can be purchased for as little as £48 per cask. They are made of recycled materials, providing an eco-friendly option for those seeking a more sustainable choice.

Mini Oak Barrels

If you're looking for something smaller, eBay has mini oak barrels available in various sizes, from 1.5L to 3L. These miniature barrels are perfect for dispensing wine, whiskey, or other spirits and can add a touch of elegance to your bar or home.

Beer Barrel Equipment and Accessories

In addition to the barrels themselves, eBay offers a range of beer barrel equipment and accessories. This includes items like bungs, pressure valves, and taps, as well as home brewing starter sets and beer-themed decor. Whether you're looking to dispense your own brew or simply add a beer-themed touch to your home, eBay has a variety of options to choose from.

With its diverse selection of used beer barrels, eBay provides a one-stop shop for those seeking unique, vintage, or eco-friendly additions to their home or garden. The variety of sizes, styles, and purposes ensures that you can find the perfect barrel to suit your needs and aesthetic.

Used beer barrels from The Barrel Broker

The Barrel Broker is a family-owned business that has been brokering barrels for breweries, distilleries, wineries, and other businesses for 14 years. The company was founded on quality and trust, and it treats its customers with respect and reliability.

The Barrel Broker offers a wide range of premium spirit, wine, and other barrels to its customers. The company sources its used oak wine and spirit barrels from various coopers worldwide, including Seguin Moreau, Francois Freres, Demptos, Boutes, Taransaud, and World Cooperage. These barrels are then resold for activities such as gardening, decorating, furniture making, brewing, and winemaking.

The Barrel Broker is committed to being a green and environmentally responsible company. The company reuses oak barrels, barrel racks, silicon/wood bungs, and other wine barrel accessories to ensure the future sustainability of oak forests. Every part of the barrel is recycled and reused when it cannot be sold whole.

The Barrel Broker offers a range of American, French, and Hungarian oak wine barrels that have previously held red or white wines. These barrels have been used for wine aging between three to six times over a five to seven-year period. The most common sizes are 59-gallon, 60-gallon, and 70-gallon barrels, with the 59-gallon Bordeaux style being the most prevalent. The company also has a smaller supply of 15-gallon and 30-gallon spirit barrels.

In addition to selling whole barrels, The Barrel Broker also offers various barrel accessories and products made from recycled barrel parts. This includes barrel staves, barrel heads, wine-soaked oak for grilling and smoking, and even the metal bands from the barrels.

The Barrel Broker's physical store is located in Mequon, a suburb of Milwaukee, and accounts for about 20% of its business. The remaining 80% comes from internet-based sales to wineries, breweries, and distilleries across the country.

Used beer barrels from Rocky Mountain Barrel Company

The Rocky Mountain Barrel Company, based in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, is a specialist supplier of premium new and used barrels for brewers and distillers. The company's used barrels come from around the world and have been used to age spirits, wine, hot sauce, soy sauce, tea, and even maple syrup. These barrels are ideal for brewers looking to experiment with barrel-aged beers, adding authenticity and depth to every batch.

The Rocky Mountain Barrel Company team is passionate about barrels and has years of experience in the industry. They are committed to providing honest, transparent, and enthusiastic service to their customers, who include breweries, wineries, and distilleries. The company also offers sinks, dog beds, and other furniture made from used barrels.

Used barrels from the Rocky Mountain Barrel Company can be vital in the process of ageing beer, imparting unique colours and flavours. Their wholesale wine barrels, for example, are said to be as important as the fruit itself in the wine-making process, with most premium wines globally exhibiting oaky flavour profiles. The company's used bourbon barrels, meanwhile, are ideal for ageing whiskey, adding refinement and nuanced notes over time.

The Rocky Mountain Barrel Company caters to those seeking to infuse their creations with history, character, and flavour. Their diverse selection includes barrels bearing the marks of their previous life, adding authenticity to each batch. Whether you're a brewer or a distiller, the company has the barrels to elevate your craft.

Used beer barrels from Keystone Homebrew Supply

Keystone Homebrew Supply, based in Montgomeryville, PA, is a top vendor of used beer barrels. They offer a range of used 5, 10, and 15-gallon whiskey barrels, sourced from Bluebird Distilling in Phoenixville. Keystone's barrels are highly regarded for their cleanliness, careful handling, and leak-free quality.

The 5-gallon Bluebird Distilling Wheat Whiskey Barrel, for instance, is perfect for big imperial stouts and wheat wines. Meanwhile, the 5-gallon Bluebird Distilling 4-Grain Whiskey Barrel is an excellent choice for stouts, old ales, barley wines, and mixed-fermentation beers. If you're looking for a larger format whiskey barrel, the 10-gallon Bluebird Distilling 4-Grain Whiskey Barrel is a great option. For those seeking an amazing price-to-quality ratio, the 15-gallon Dad's Hat Rye Whiskey Barrel is ideal for primary fermentation or solera projects.

Keystone Homebrew Supply is a full-service homebrew and wine-making supply store, boasting an immense and ever-expanding inventory. Whether you're a novice or an expert in beer or wine-making, Keystone has the equipment you need to craft your desired beverage. Their selection includes beer kits, wine kits, and various classes to enhance your brewing knowledge.

Used beer barrels from Barrels Direct

Barrels Direct is your go-to destination for used beer barrels. As part of the River Drive Cooperage & Millwork family, we are experts in the field of barrels. Our large and ever-changing inventory of used oak barrels includes a wide range of options, such as whiskey, wine, tequila, scotch, bourbon, gin, rum, and even exotic barrels. We are proud to be a one-stop shop for all your barrel needs.

Our used beer barrels offer something unique and special. Previously used to age spirits, our barrels carry a history and character that is perfect for breweries looking to add a distinct touch to their craft. The barrels have already been employed in the ageing process, infusing their contents with rich flavours and aromas. Now, they are ready to impart their unique characteristics to your beer.

At Barrels Direct, we understand that investing in used oak barrels is just the beginning of your journey. We are committed to supporting you every step of the way. Our team of experts is well-versed in the art of barrel brokerage, logistics, maintenance, repair, and customisation. We can help you navigate any challenges that may arise and ensure your barrels remain in optimal condition.

In addition, we offer educational cooperage classes to empower you and your team with the knowledge needed to care for your barrels. With our help, you can learn to spot potential issues before they impact your product and maintain the quality and consistency your brewery strives for.

When you choose Barrels Direct, you not only access a vast selection of used beer barrels, but you also gain a partner dedicated to your success. Our Quality Guarantee, patented Fiber Infusion TechnologyTM, and competitive pricing set us apart in the industry. We are committed to providing an unparalleled service that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.

Whether you're seeking a specific type of used beer barrel or require assistance in maintaining your current stock, Barrels Direct is here to help. Contact us today and let us be your trusted guide in the world of used beer barrels.

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