Wood & Beer: A Brewer's Guide - Paperback

by Dick Cantwell (Author), Peter Bouckaert (Author)

Join authors Dick Cantwell and Peter Bouckaert as they tell the story of the marriage between wood and beer from Roman times through medieval Europe to modern craft brewing. Cooperage is a long and venerable craft and here the authors give a description combining the evocative and technical. The smells, the heat, choosing the wood, drying, fashioning staves, steaming, firing, and assembling into a perfect container--at least perfect until the bunghole is drilled to accommodate the precious contents.

Barrels and foeders have gone from an oddity of traditional breweries to a commonplace feature at the heart of the craft brewing industry. It is estimated that 85% of US breweries now use wood as part of their process. Maintaining wooden vessels requires care and meticulous organization of cellar space. The authors discuss the vagaries of temperature, humidity, seasonal changes, mold, and evaporation, and how breweries new and old deal with these challenges. The basics of selecting, inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining barrels are detailed.

Finally, of course, the wood must be united with the beer. The complexity and variations that govern how wood imparts flavors to beer can be overwhelming. The authors guide the reader through wood's characteristic flavor compounds and the nuances of toasting and charring. Oak is the focus, American, French, and Eastern European, but other woods get their due. As well as intrinsic flavors, the microflora that take up residence in a barrel or foeder are the living, beating heart of a barrel-aged beer, able to create sour and unique beers of fascinating complexity. The authors pepper the text with stories and experiences from some of the giants of the craft brewing scene, discussing how they monitor their barrel programs and taste and blend their beers to create something truly special.

All this will inspire professional and amateur brewers alike. At the end of the book the authors give some helpful advice on wood aging for homebrewers, including the uses for chips, cubes, spirals, staves, powders ... and the odd chair leg. Get ready to embrace the mystical complexity of flavors and aromas derived from wood.

Author Biography

Peter BouckaertPrior 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 CantwellDick 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.