The Story of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout - Chapter 4

Part 4 of this awesome Grit & Grain Series from Goose Island posted below. Catch up with the first 3 by clicking here.

You just don't teach that overnight - Chapter 4

Considered a dying industry 50 years ago, barrel coopering is once again a booming business. Though technology has improved the industry, barrel making still very much relies on the highly skilled and very human profession of barrel coopering. And like a human fingerprint, no barrel is the same. Each stave is unique and each one fits together like a puzzle. The fact that a cooper can assemble a consistent product demonstrates the craftsmanship that goes into building a watertight barrel that can withstand the flux of the seasons. This isn’t a process you can teach overnight and after watching how many steps go into making the perfect barrel you can see why.