A cooper, the person who makes barrels, is a master of this art. Their work is essential to the production of wine, whiskey, beer, and other spirits.
Historical Significance
In Colonial times, a cooper made wooden casks, barrels and containers from timber, usually heated or steamed. The barrel as we know it was most likely developed by the Celts.
Coopers crafted containers for storing water, grains, and perishables. Their smaller barrels were used for household storage, like those for pickling or aging homemade vinegar.
American coopers used white oak to make whiskey barrels. French coopers used oak grown in France. Craftsmen called "dry coopers" made barrels for grains, while "wet coopers" made barrels to hold liquids.
Barrel Origins and Modern Usage
The origin of the barrel dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, where they transported wine and oil with barrels. Wooden barrels likely came about during the Roman Empire.
The wooden barrel we use now started in 14th century Germany. Skilled craftsmen called coopers made them, which moved liquids and grains and came in many sizes.
Today, laws mandate whiskey makers to use oak barrels, continuing the long tradition of coopers using specific types of wood tailored to their product’s needs.