Posted 11 years ago
tommy1002
(130 items)
Penrose & McEniry Brewery operated in Cohoes, NY from around the 1890's into the early 1900's. That's about all I know about this barrel. It is heavy, the staves are 1 1/2" thick, it's 25" tall, about 18" diameter at center and about 15" diameter at the ends. The stave with the bung also has a stamp in the bottom " C.I.U" in a circle with "24" above and "2" below. I believe it's for International Cooper's Union #24. I got this at an estate auction at an old gas station. It was covered in dust, rust, dirt, and pigeon sh**. But I got it home and wire brushed it back to wood and steel. It was so dry that the hoops were sliding around and you could look clear between the staves. I soaked it pretty heavy with linseed oil and it has tightened up a little bit. One of these days I hope to replace the end and the missing top and bottom hoops.
Good size for an umbrella stand.
Indeed bbuss, and with the weather we've had here lately it would be a wise option, it's rained at least once daily for about a month straight it seems.
I'm afraid it has swelled as much as it will now unless you soaked it in a large barrel full of linseed oil for about a week. Once that oil you applied dries, it won't absorb anymore.
I figured as much about that with the linseed, so I left the inside bare. Except what seeped in. I was told I could run a hose in it and eventually it will swell. However I think it's life as a keg are long over.
You might try soaking it in your olympic size swimming pool for a day or 2. Hopefully it hasn't been long since you did the linseed oil thing. After it maybe swells, let it dry awhile and as it starts to shrink again, try the oil on the outside again & pray it keeps the swelled shape. Of course you don't want to apply the linseed oils to both sides as it will probably seal in too much moisture & rot. I'm just trying to come up with a rescue operation for your mistake. Hey, that's how we learn!
If I linseed only, no soaking, would that be conducive of keeping bugs out and discouraging dry rot. I hit the outside about a month ago and it swelled almost instantly. OR should I just let it be, as it is for decoration only.
You hit the side & it swelled? What, a toe, hand, leg? Yeah, it would probably keep insects & dry rot away but as long as it is inside, it's not going to rot anyway.
True true, inside it will stay then and I wont waste any more linseed. Now, have you any idea where I might find a stand for it of the same period.
Afraid I don't know of any barrel-stand makers. Local carpenter can do that but I would go with a 3 leg pattern so it doesn't rock.
Penrose is my great grandfather, I live down the street from where the brewery used to be. I came across this searching for some info on the brewery because we are trying to find the recipe. The only thing we have is an old ledger and I'm trying to piece something together for it. Thanks for posting, I never thought I would see one of those kegs.
Thanks for stopping by mike, I searched for a while to find any info I could to date the barrel. There were some old court records for the brewery as it changed hands (and name) a few times, but I never saw a recipe.
I have a little more information about the brewery if you are interested. This info came from my grandfather, and McEniry's son. We still live in the same house that Penrose bought in the late 1800's. McEniry's son asked the guy across the street if he knew the man living in this house (around 20 years ago). He was surprised to find that my grandfather was still living there, so he went over and they talked for hours. McEniry's son told Bill (guy across the street) that my grandfather took the old recipe out of a desk from the old brewery to show him. The brewery was closed down due to prohibition. Penrose believed that prohibition would be lifted soon because it was outrageous. So they kept the property and rented out horse stables to survive prohibition. Unfortunately their patience ran out and they eventually sold the property before prohibition was lifted.
I found all of this out just this week, by talking to Bill across the street. The desk from the brewery is at my aunt's house so were about to find out if she has the recipe for us to recreate. At this point I know more about the brewery than google does :)
That is great that you were able to get that kind of info. And to think after days of web surfing, I could have just taken a short ride down rt. 4!!!
Thanks tom61375, Sean, mike, Ted, and inky. Also petey, gargoyle and trunkman. I appreciate the loves.
Great barrel find Tommy!
Thanks Perry, we had been looking for a nice, big, old barrel for a while and this beauty popped up and turns out to even have a local history behind it, as megamike can attest to.
I have an old map showing this brewery and one of the building is labeled Cooper Shop.