thanks for the info SG Brix!

"sgbrix" > wrote in message
om...
> "William Frazier" > wrote in message
>...
> > "Joe Ae" > wrote in message news:R9Mqb.25796> Any
> > other suggestions in getting started with an Oak Barrel will also be
> > > appreciated.
> >
> > Joe - If it can be American oak try Gibbs Brothers. They have smaller
> > barrels as well as the large ones. I'm using a new 10 gallon for my
2002
> > Baco/Chambourcin wine. It's been in the barrel 4 months now and isn't
over
> > oaked IMO.
> >
> > Bill Frazier
> > Olathe, Kansas
>
> Just remember their 10g is actually @ 8.5g and their 5g is 5.5g. I
> mean don't be surprise that one will overflow and the other you look
> down the bunghole and wonder what heck happened.
>
> Also if you get them SCHT (sap clear heavy toast) you ought to give
> the barrel a hit from a rubber mallet and discard most of the burnt
> wood that else will float in your wine. They are a bit rough but you
> get what you pay for. I had a bad leaker and the old man from Gibbs
> guided me with instruction on how to fix it. They wanted to replace it
> but I did get the leaks cleared up by myself and the barrel is fine
> now.
>
> And for all those that have spouted badly about small barrel ageing, I
> like to take all these extra wooden bungs I now have accumulated and
> bung up their asses with them. Yea, you have to watch them, wipe them,
> spray them but so what? They are like little babies, my babies!
>
> SG Brix