Used Barrel Smells of Sulfur/Rotten Egg

[msmith23]

I was given a used wine barrel recently, but it has a distinct sulfur/rotten egg smell. I'm guessing a sulfur stick was burned in it prior to receiving it. I'd like to possibly use the barrel for aging a beer, but want to ensure that this smell doesn't carry over.

Would anyone recommend doing anything more than giving it a hot water rinse prior to filling it?

[Jim Lieb]

A hot water fill would be what you need. When a sulfur stick is burned in a barrel the bacteria growth should be eliminated but the barrel can start to dry out. A hot water soak until the the wood has swelled and won't leak is needed. I have heard of people dumping several gallon of boiling water in them bunging lightly and then rolling them around to speed the swelling. Fill with water and check for leaks before you end up with beer leaking out.

Jim Lieb
RRBC