Foeders have been used to store and age beverages for centuries. They are traditional, large-scale wooden casks typically used to age beer, but can be used for wine and spirits as well. At Foeder Crafters of America, they handcraft these massive barrels out of Missouri white oak, customizing each one for makers across the globe, from Japan to St. Louis.
Garlicky, citrusy gremolata enlivens this rich Norton-braised short rib recipe. Norton's deep flavor and berry tartness acts as a foil to the beefy short ribs, which are browned and then braised for the ultimate in tender, comfort-food dishes.
Read MoreWhen he visited the workshop at Foeder Crafters, owner Dan Saettele was hooked. He had no idea that foeders even existed, and with his love of woodworking and his love of beer, he changed the direction of his life and bought the company.
Read MoreMiller says that in a small or standard format barrel, you can over-oak wine, but with a foeder, you're able to maintain a fresher flavor and more character of the grapes used in the vintage.
Read MoreCat and Cory taste a few sour beers straight from the barrel (uh, foeder!), one of which utilizes Missouri-grown Chambourcin from Noboleis Vineyards.
Read MoreMore than a dozen foeders are being used at Side Project Brewing in Maplewood, Missouri, the second best brewery in the world according to Beer Rater.
Read MoreGlue is never used to hold the foeders together -- they're made with tongue-and-groove staves and stainless steel straps are used to ensure everything is held in place. And then there's the manway ...
Read MoreAfter Foeder Crafters' gorgeous casks spread to breweries across the US, European brewers started ordering custom barrels and now the company is making casks for breweries in Asia.
Read MoreAs the tree grows, tyloses forms in between the rings, making the wood from this species perfect for barrel-making.
Read More"Some people might look at it as a tool for the job, but for me I kind of look at it as a functioning piece of art."
Read MoreHead over to Mueller Bros. Timber to see where the white oak used in making Foeder Crafters' water-tight barrels is dried and milled.
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