Barrels Come in All Sizes

Just like people, barrels come in all shapes and sizes. It is important to know that not all types of wines or spirits aged in barrels are available in every size. For example, lots of distilleries and home brewers like to use smaller format barrels for aging small batches or experimenting. Small format barrels come in increments of 5, 10, 15, and 30-gallon sizes. Distilleries also use the standard spirit barrels which come in either 53-55-gallon size (200L). Wineries fill barrels that are typically 59-gallon size (225L). Large format barrels are called puncheons and foeders. Puncheons come in anywhere around 132-gallons (500L) and foeders are typically starting around 160 gallons (600L) and come in various other larger sizes.