Keg Prep

Many of you want to fill your barrels with wines and liquors once you purchase one.  Here is some basic information for you on what you will need to do.

You must first seal your barrel before you add your favorite wine or liquor. Find a place to seal your barrel where the leaking water will not cause a mess; your kitchen countertop may not be the best place.  The barrel should be filled with water; this allows the wood to swell and seal itself from leaking.  The sealing process can occur in a few hours or a few days.  Continue to add water during the sealing process; you will want to replace the water that is leaking out.  Once the leaking stops; your barrel is sealed. 

Sometimes leaking persists; you can try sealing those areas with beeswax or candle wax.  The barrel must be dry when applying the beeswax or candle wax.  The wax should only be applied to the exterior of the barrel.  You should not apply wax to the inside of the barrel; it will contaminate the wine or liquor stored inside.

Once your barrel is sealed; fill it with hot water.  Slosh the water around and empty it out; repeat this process till the color of the water that comes out is clear.  Now you can fill your barrel with wine or liquor.  It is best to store your filled barrel in a cool place; avoiding exposure to sunlight or heat. 

The amount of time to age the wine or liquor stored in your barrel; is dependent upon your own personal taste.  The general rule is the longer you store it; the stronger the taste will be that it acquires from the wood.  The wine or liquor will also darken with prolonged storage. 

It is a good practice to clean your barrel prior to re-filling it.  Begin by rinsing the barrel thoroughly with water to remove debris.  Dissolve two teaspoons of citric acid in five gallons of water; use this mixture to slosh around the interior surface of the barrel.  After using this cleaning solution for 5 to 10 minutes; drain then refill with water repeating till the water that comes out is clear. 

Keep in mind, once you add liquid to a barrel you must always keep liquid in it.  The wood on your barrel will contract if you have filled it with liquid and then let it dry out; this often causes the bands on the barrel to loosen or even fall off.  Barrels can be used for display only, you do not have to fill them with wine or liquor.