Barrel Mill launches homebrewing oak-aging product

For hombrewers looking for that oak-aged taste, The Barrel Mill introduced a new, smaller version of its patented Oak Infusion Spiral that allows homebrewers and craft beverage enthusiasts to quickly and easily add barrel-aged flavor, color and aroma directly to the bottle.

The Oak Infusion Spiral is a patented oak alternative originally developed for fine wine, but has been successfully applied to whiskey, rum, tequila and beer to mimic the effects of aging in an oak barrel. The spiral-cut design creates optimum surface area within a very small product, allowing fast extraction of the charred oak’s aroma and flavor compounds with refined integration in any chosen beverage.

“We are thrilled to finally offer this incredible product to the home user,” explained Richard Hobbs, vice president of sales and marketing at the Barrel Mill. “Now craft beverage enthusiasts can have access to the same oak alternative that’s helped bring home awards for top breweries, wineries and distilleries for years.”

Each spiral is made from premium American White Oak and spiral cut to maximize end-grain exposure, which in turn minimizes aging time. Spirals are then uniformly charred using a specialized charring oven. When finished, the Oak Infusion Spirals can be added to any .750L bottle of beer or spirits. Extraction starts immediately and is complete within two weeks. The product has been used to successfully add oak color, flavor, aroma and complexity to young whiskeys, growlers of beer and even other niche products like hot sauce.