Retrotechtacular: Coopering Guinness Barrels By Hand






Thanks for the tip, [fajita].


22 thoughts on “Retrotechtacular: Coopering Guinness Barrels By Hand

  1. Visited the guiness brewery in dublin, expected it to be cheesy but was actually v.interesting lots of techy stuff oldy stuff and rather well laid out. If you ever find yourself in dublin you cant not go really.

    1. No, depending on the use they can be recycled but the flavors transfer. For instance, wine barrels are popular for brandy because of the inherent sweetness of wine. Scotch barrels give bourbon a delightful flavor. And of course, you can buy barrel chips that give barbecue a hint of bourbon or whiskey. you’ll find Jack Daniels brand wood chips in most grocery stores, but some brands just soak cheap wood chips in the used mash. mileage may vary,

    2. To add to phosphor, bourbon that can’t be aged in a previously used barrel. But those barrels can be used for aging other things. Barrels get reused a lot for other drinks and probably even foods. When they can’t be re-used as barrels anymore, the material can still be used again. One local brewery is using the staves to make stowable adirondack chairs.

  2. We too went on the Dublin Brewery tour some years ago. I recorded a copy of this video then by holding my camera in front of the monitor. It is very impressive indeed! Real skill. I am not a beer drinker and thought the tour would be a waste of my time but would echo denis’ recommendation to go and see it if you can. Very worth while.

  3. I never realized the barrels were so thick, I guess I am used to wine and whiskey barrels which are much thinner since they dont have to deal with fermentation pressure.

    1. Not sure what this is to be evidence of. I really doubt the product contained, cares if contained in was made on a modern mass production line or crafted using old construction methods, as long as the interior surface is the same.

      1. Is it wrong to admire the factory method? While they can’t take the pressure of the Guinness barrels, they are still beautiful. The skills that went into developing the more automated method should be honored as well.

  4. This still goes on at the Speyside Cooperage in Craigellachie (Scotland), . I’ve been there a few times, there’s a viewing gallery and it’s really impressive watching them work, high speed craftsmanship. IIRC, they are paid per barrel, but only after it’s passed a pressure test, so there’s a big incentive for fast accurate work.

  5. For the smaller barrels, the guys’ couldn’t fit their brawny arms inside, so they had to hire kids or little people to make those barrels. They were called…wait for it…”mini coopers”

    // badum – tish

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