I know you just asked if we are going to empty them and not how but I figure I'd throw this out there and get the discussion started because these are things we need to get figured out pretty soon. in my experience in the trucking world, an average 55 gallon barrel of most liquids weighs around 500 lbs. give or take depending on the density, factoring in the weight of the wooden barrel, probably 600. If they're already on the floor 2 or 3 men should easily be able to tip them upright and on to a dolly of some sort or just roll them out the door. If we have a moving van with a lift gate, that could be do-able. For the barrels that are not on the ground it might be easiest to siphon into buckets and have people take a bucket to the new location and then refill the barrel. Another more expensive but easier option, assuming a lift gate van is rented, is to purchase 55 gallon plastic drums to empty the above floor level barrels into, despite the weight those move around pretty easy especially if you have a dolly of some variety. Emptying and refilling is going to create a lot of potential for contamination, but short of renting a forklift, that's the only way I can think of doing it. That's just my 2 cents on the situation and my experience moving such things.
I have a share in every barrel and agree they all need to emptied. Not only is moving them full impossible, but Daniel and myself tasted them all a few weeks back and they are indeed ready to go. I won't be available the next two weekends but can do the weekend of the 26th. I think we just need to knock it all out in an all day affair one Sat or Sun.
Keep in mind if we empty them that early we might not be able to use them again... We will need to have them re-emptied to move when we get out of here. Is everyone ok with that? It's going to be a pain to try to empty them when we're trying to move. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. Also, Saturday might work better for me, but I can also make sunday if that's best for everyone else.
I suppose we could try and empty them close to the date that we move so that we can move them empty. Is it worth it though? How much oak character are we likely to get out of the barrels now, and at what likelihood of infection? Should we just try and see if/when GI or some other breweries are getting rid of used barrels and try to replenish our supply?
I would't be heartbroken if we retired the GI barrels. I do however want to keep the Wine barrel and I think the 35 gallon barrel with the barleywine in it still has legs.
The wine barrel can stay with CHAOS as far as I'm concerned, a gift to the club in lieu of my absence. I'm still around and would love to get my shares of the wine barrel and the elixer.
I am not available on the 10th but could do the 11th. The weekend of the 4th I am not in town. I can leave vessels for the beer regardless of the empty date.
I think we gots to.
I know you just asked if we are going to empty them and not how but I figure I'd throw this out there and get the discussion started because these are things we need to get figured out pretty soon. in my experience in the trucking world, an average 55 gallon barrel of most liquids weighs around 500 lbs. give or take depending on the density, factoring in the weight of the wooden barrel, probably 600. If they're already on the floor 2 or 3 men should easily be able to tip them upright and on to a dolly of some sort or just roll them out the door. If we have a moving van with a lift gate, that could be do-able. For the barrels that are not on the ground it might be easiest to siphon into buckets and have people take a bucket to the new location and then refill the barrel. Another more expensive but easier option, assuming a lift gate van is rented, is to purchase 55 gallon plastic drums to empty the above floor level barrels into, despite the weight those move around pretty easy especially if you have a dolly of some variety. Emptying and refilling is going to create a lot of potential for contamination, but short of renting a forklift, that's the only way I can think of doing it. That's just my 2 cents on the situation and my experience moving such things.
All the barrels are ready. I think they should just be emptied
How about a giant bottling party next weekend? How many barrels need to be emptied? I've been dying to get my share of the elixr of life barrel.
I have a share in every barrel and agree they all need to emptied. Not only is moving them full impossible, but Daniel and myself tasted them all a few weeks back and they are indeed ready to go. I won't be available the next two weekends but can do the weekend of the 26th. I think we just need to knock it all out in an all day affair one Sat or Sun.
Yeah, let's just set a date. I could do Friday evening/night the 19th, or one of the 27th/28th.
-Adam
I'd vote for Sunday the 28th.
Keep in mind if we empty them that early we might not be able to use them again... We will need to have them re-emptied to move when we get out of here. Is everyone ok with that? It's going to be a pain to try to empty them when we're trying to move. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. Also, Saturday might work better for me, but I can also make sunday if that's best for everyone else.
I suppose we could try and empty them close to the date that we move so that we can move them empty. Is it worth it though? How much oak character are we likely to get out of the barrels now, and at what likelihood of infection? Should we just try and see if/when GI or some other breweries are getting rid of used barrels and try to replenish our supply?
Just throwing some thoughts out there.
I kinda feel like we are reaching the end of life for those barrels and it might be better for us to invest in some new ones.
I would't be heartbroken if we retired the GI barrels. I do however want to keep the Wine barrel and I think the 35 gallon barrel with the barleywine in it still has legs.
Was a date decided ? I have a share of the elixer
I will donate a barrel to the club if we need to scrap the ones we have now.
The wine barrel can stay with CHAOS as far as I'm concerned, a gift to the club in lieu of my absence. I'm still around and would love to get my shares of the wine barrel and the elixer.
How many people can do Saturday August 10th?
I can be there on the 10th for at least part of it.
I can be there on the 10th
The emperor is not as forgiving as i am
I've got a share of the Flanders Red. Aug 10 isa not great for me, but I can be there to claim my share and put it in a carboy to bottle later.
I can make it before 11am or after 7:30pm on the 10th... or I can have kegs/carboys there to fill and pick up later...
Can't be there on the 10th... That weekend is the Great Taste of the Midwest beer fest in Wisconsin.
what about this coming weekend?
I am not available on the 10th but could do the 11th. The weekend of the 4th I am not in town. I can leave vessels for the beer regardless of the empty date.
Can't do this weekend. Have my son until the 5th.
The emperor is not as forgiving as i am
I'm available this weekend and the 10th /11.
What if we just kegged the barrels? We could then bottle of the kegs at a more convenient time. I got a Blichmann gun I could lend out.
I don't have a share in any of the barrels, but I'm available both upcoming weekends (3-4 and 10-11) and happy to help take home any excess beer.