Everything ages and alcohol is no exception to the rule. With age comes depth and refinement, this depth and refinement in liquor gives it a unique colour and flavour. But what exactly happens in those oak barrels that transforms the liquor into liquid gold?
BARRELS OF BEER & WINE! What exactly is Barrel-Aged?
Rooted in Celtic history, the technique of barrel aging is precisely as the name suggests. It is the process of aging liquor by storing distilled spirits, beer or wine in oak barrels for a specific period of time. The alcohol is typically stored anywhere from a week up to several years.
These oak barrels are typically made of natural oak. The oak ensures the wood can expand and contract with varying temperatures and humidity. Additionally, over time the oak barrels allow vapour to pass outside the oak barrel and gradually move oxygen into the aging process. The oak barrel also acts as a flavour balancing filter by removing unwanted flavours such as those produced from ethanol with a flavour sensation similar to rubbing alcohol – certainly not a flavour you want! If barrel aging is anything, it is intelligent, and one must respect this almost artistic process.
you can even barrel age cocktails
There is nothing better than to replenish with a drink straight from the oak barrel. At Hunter & Barrel’s Melbourne and Perth restaurants, we offer the sophistication of cocktails matured in oak barrels. We also offer a diverse range of beers, wine and spirits to satisfy the refined taste of those that appreciate quality beverage craftsmanship. Come visit us at our restaurants in Eastland, Melbourne and Raine Square, Perth, for an experience like no other.
Where to source the best steak
Besides a quality steak restaurant like Hunter & Barrel, we suggest looking online for meat suppliers in your area. Look for quality cuts like eye fillet, eye of rump, or rib eye. If you’d like to adventure a little further you can delve into Wagyu or even dry-ageing.
It seems that meat has been an essential part of the human diet for millions of years, so it appears likely this hunter-gatherer way of eating will continue to be an important part of your diet for many years to come.
When it comes to eating meat, quality is key! Our Melbourne and Perth restaurants serve you nothing but the best, served the true hunter’s way, straight from the coal pits.
