The use of wooden vessels for storage, transportation, fermentation, or aging of beer is deeply rooted in history. Today s talented brewers are innovating, experimenting, and enthusiastically embracing the seemingly mystical complexity of flavors and aromas derived from wood. From the souring effects of microbes that take up residence in the wood to the wood character drawn from barrels or foeders, this book covers not only the history, physiology, microbiology, and flavor contributions of wood, but also the maintenance of wooden vessels. Explore the many influences of wood as a vehicle for contributing tremendous complexity to beers fermented and aged within it. Wood & Beer: A Brewer s Guide is as much about wood as it is about beer, and the mysteries that arise when the two come together.
Peter Bouckaert Prior to relocating to the U.S. in 1996 to become New Belgium Brewing Company's brewmaster, Peter brewed for a decade at Brewery Rodenbach. Peter earned the equivalent of a Master's degree in brewing and fermentation technology from the University of Ghent, Belgium, as well as a Quality Engineer degree from CKZ Krtrijk. Peter's mantle includes awards from the World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival and a handful of other beer accolades. He was honored to be awarded the 2013 Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Brewing by the Brewers Association. Dick Cantwell Dick Cantwell is among the most well-respected and experienced craft brewers, co-founding Elysian Brewing Company in 1996, where he served as head brewer until its sale to Anheuser-Busch in 2015. Cantwell is currently head of production at Magnolia Brewing Company in San Francisco, CA. In 2004, Cantwell received the Brewers Association's Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Brewing. Additionally, he has written for various beer magazines, authored Barley Wine with Fal Allen, Brewing Eclectic IPA and The Brewers Association's Guide to Starting Your Own Brewery, Second Edition.
Acknowledgments Foreword by Frank Boon Foreword by Wayne Wambles Introduction 1. The History of the Barrel, or There and Back Again Romans and (Celtic) Countrymen-Wood Replaces Clay Vessels of Wood-Barrels, Boats, and Brewing Messages in Barrels-Regulation, the Hanseatic League, and Other Alliances of Trade Barrels Across the World-Exploration and Industry The Sun Also Rises-the Shifting Nature and Use of the Barrel 2. Cooperage 3. Wood & Wooden Vessels The Wood Before Time American Oak European Oak French Oak The Oak of Other Regions Harvesting, Splitting, Dressing, and Seasoning Vessels of Wood-About the Size of It Curiosities and Anachronisms-Other Wooden Vessels Used for Brewing 4. Wood Maintenance Cellar Design-from Zero to Infinity (and Beyond) Cellar Ambiance-Temperature, Humidity, and Other Factors Inspecting New Barrels, and Barrels New to You Basic Cooperage Tools Repairing Leaks in Barrels Evaluation and Care of Foeders 5. Flavors from Wood Materials Extracted from Wood Seasoning, Bending, Toasting, and Charring What Happens When Beer Contacts Wood More Arcane Processes and Effects of Extraction Other Wood-Related Products and Processes You May Not Have Thought Of 6. Flavors in Wood Sour and Sour-Skinning the Cat Voodoo Magic-Inoculation, Re-inoculation, and Keeping It All Going 7. Blending and Culture The Fifth Element Appendix A Appendix B Bibliography Index
Two of my brewing idols have created an indispensable brewer's guide to understanding and using wood in the production of beer. Peter Bouckaert and Dick Cantwell have painstakingly collected and skillfully weaved together an impressive wealth of information and experience that brewers of any level will find intriguing. This is the book that I've been looking for since that life-changing first taste of barrel-aged stout, which altered my brewing path forever. -- Matt Brynildson, Brewmaster, Firestone Walker Brewing Co. A definitive book on sourcing wood, the complexities of the coopering process and even the finishing oak maturation and compounds that make their way into your book. This book is a must-add for your library. -- Tomme Arthur, Co-Founder & Director of Brewery Operations, The Lost Abbey & Port Brewing Company
