Page 34 - Beverage MasterAprMay 2021

Craft Distillery

BARRELS & RACKING:

Modern Systems, Historic Preservation and

Rrefurbished Options Producing Optimal Results

By: Cheryl Gray
I n 1879, distiller Frederick Stitzel patented a Space to Breathe

revolutionary method that put a new spin
on how barrels for spirits and other crafted
drinks are stored. Western Square Industries, headquartered in
Stockton, California, has been in business for 43
years and is among the global leaders in its field.
Some 150 years later, the practice of racking bar- The company originally catered to the agriculture
rels, also known as ricking, is an industry-standard. and livestock industries, specializing in two main
Placing barrels on their sides, rather than upright, products, steel gates and corrals. Western Square
and supporting them underneath with either tim- Industries now manufactures a broad range of bar-
ber or metal, increases air circulation and space. rel racking systems for distillers, breweries, winer-
Racking keeps pressure off barrel staves, a problem ies, meaderies and cideries. It serves clients across
that Stitzel and other early distillers learned could the United States, with a significant client base in
result in losing a barrel’s precious contents through California, Texas and the Eastern U.S.
leakage.

32 April - May 2021 BEVERAGE MASTER

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