Yeah I was thinking steam as well. I showed my Dad last night when I got it, then he showed me his 4.5 gallon whiskey barrel that he bought in Saint John over 30 years ago when there was apparently a distillery there. (Or maybe still is)
He says first thing is to fill it with hot water and let it soak a few day to make it expand and form a proper seal again.
I had the idea of an easy way to steam it would be to use a pressure cooker and remove the weight and set the barrel opening over top steam outlet, with the barrel sitting on a couple saw horses.
Sounds good
@jamie_savoie, maybe its time I try a sour.
Almost 3 months since I brewed anything, really had the itch the past little while.