A Coopers life...It's NOT just about the barrels

We had the privilege to meet up with artisan cooper, John Cox for an afternoon of discovery and learning about the lost art of coopering. "Whale oil, tobacco, cotton, cement, salted meats, fish, eggs, pelts, nails, glass, you name it...it was shipped, stored, and used in a barrel. In 1901 there are 90 million people in America and there are 93 million barrels. Our ancestors relied on this and the Cooper’s who made these, maintained them, stored them and access them for 2000 years."We originally thought this episode was solely about traditional barrel manufacturing; however, we found out rather quickly that it's not just about barrels. Yes, barrels are a big part of Johns story and his cooperage; however, he designs and manufactures other wooden vessels for for fermented foods as well as fermentable drinks. He has worked with many brewers, distillers and now chefs. Firkins, barrels, wash backs, muro cabinets, kojiban, kioke, krout mashers, mash paddles are the range of John's products.We look forward to sampling products aged in John's vessel in the near future! Interested in his products? click on the link QUERCUS COOPERAGE for more information.