Aging Cider in Oak Barrels

As we know aging any kind of alcohol in an oak barrel is a common thing for every brewer.

• Vodka, whiskey, wine, beer…they are improving their taste and quality after being aged in an oak barrel.

What about cider? Can we age cider in oak barrel?

The answer is - Yes!!!

• We can age, store and even fermenting cider in oak barrels .It has been a common practice before advent of stainless still tanks.

Aging cider in oak barrels can add a sweetness and warm to the cider. The influence of oak on cider establishes a stronger and deeper flavour.

• Fermenting in the barrel

After fermentation we can just top off with fresh cider .Then we leave it on the lees in the barrel until bottling time. It usually takes at least 6 months. The cork hall at the top of the barrel is 30 mm so a bubbler airlock can be fitted if the fermentation is going to take place in the barrel.

There are few more important questions about aging cider in oak barrel. As we know, oak barrels must be toasted from the inside in order to improve the flavour of the aging alcohol. 

• What kind of level toasting do we require for aging cider?

Our long years’ experience of producing wooden barrels and brewing alcohol proves that Medium and Medium plus levels of toasting are the most suitable for cider.

• Do we make the cider-aging barrels differently than the wine and whiskey barrels?

Yes we do.

 We use slightly ticker staves and stronger (thicker) metal rings. We recommend a barrels to be made without spigot hole. The spigot (wooden tap) can be a week point when under pressure.  It is very important after purchasing a barrel from our Barrel Shop to let us know what kind of alcohol you are going to age so we   can make the proper barrel for you.

• Can the oak barrels be reused?
  The answer is - Yes!!!

The barrels can be reused many times through a very long period of time if they are maintained and taking care of properly. It is very important to soak in the barrel with water for couple of days and fill it with the cider immediately after draining water. Basically the barrel does not like to be kept empty!

World-famous ciders has been aged in an Oak Barrels: Bad Seed Cider, Good Intend Cider, Long Meadow Cider, and Citizen Cider, the Mitten…

I would like to challenge you to ask yourselves the following question:

Why don’t we use the experience of the well-known technology to become a better home-brewers and improve our own cider as professionals do?

You can easily purchase Oak barrels in our Barrel Shop.

Please do not hesitate to Contact us .