The Story Of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout - Chapter 3

Here's the 3rd chapter in Goose Island's "Grit & Grain" series, this time talking about logging the White Oak trees in the Ozarks of Missouri.

All They've Ever Known Is Logging - Chapter 3

"The Bourbon industry requires a massive supply of new barrels. That requires an equally massive supply of timber. The type of wood used for bourbon barrels is important to the quality and flavor of the spirit. Mandated by law, the spirit must be aged in new American White Oak to be legally clarified bourbon. The majority of white oak forested for use in bourbon barrels is grown in the hills of the Ozarks. On average, it takes around 80-100 years for a white oak tree to grow to the size it needs to be logged. Many communities throughout the region rely on the logging of white oak as a vital part of the local economy. To ensure the sustained growth of the forests, loggers take great care in responsibly foresting. By doing so, another generation can continue the tradition of logging."