Liquid beverage container and method of making

Abstract

A vessel includes a plurality of staves arranged around a vessel central axis and extending between a first vessel end and a second vessel end opposite the first vessel end to define a side wall of the vessel. A first end panel is located at and defines the first vessel end, and a second end panel is located at and defines the second vessel end. The first end panel, the second end panel and the plurality of staves define an enclosed volume of the vessel. At least one of the plurality of staves, the first end panel and the second end panel are formed from a wood material harvested prior to the year 1850.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vessel, comprising:
 a plurality of staves arranged around a vessel central axis and extending between a first vessel end and a second vessel end opposite the first vessel end to define a side wall of the vessel; and   at least one of a first end panel disposed at and defining the first vessel end and a second end panel disposed at and defining the second vessel end;   wherein the plurality of staves, the first end panel and/or the second end panel and the plurality of staves define an enclosed volume of the vessel; and   wherein at least a portion of the vessel is formed from a wood material harvested prior to the year 1850.   
     
     
         2 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the wood material is white oak. 
     
     
         3 . The vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more hoops wrapped around an outer circumference of the side wall of the vessel. 
     
     
         4 . The vessel of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more hoops apply a compressive force on the side wall of the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bung opening in the side wall of the vessel; and   a plug installed into the bung opening.   
     
     
         6 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a barrel configured to age and/or store distilled spirits. 
     
     
         7 . The vessel of  claim 6 , wherein the distilled spirits are one of whiskey, bourbon, rum, tequila or mezcal. 
     
     
         8 . The vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising a volume of chips or shavings inserted into the vessel, wherein the chips or shavings are formed from a wood material harvested prior to the year 1850. 
     
     
         9 . A method of forming a vessel for aging and/or storing distilled spirits, comprising:
 arranging a plurality of staves around a vessel central axis, the plurality of staves extending between a first vessel end and a second vessel end opposite the first vessel end to define a side wall of the vessel;   installing a first end panel at the first vessel end; and   installing a second end panel at the second vessel end;   wherein the first end panel, the second end panel and the plurality of staves define an enclosed volume of the vessel; and   wherein at least a portion of the vessel is formed from a wood material harvested prior to the year 1850.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising repurposing the wood material from a structure. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the wood material is white oak. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising installing one or more hoops around an outer circumference of the side wall of the vessel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more hoops apply a compressive force on the side wall of the vessel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 defining a bung opening in the side wall of the vessel; and   installing a plug into the bung opening.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the distilled spirits are one of whiskey, bourbon, rum, tequila or mezcal. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising inserting a volume of chips or shavings into the vessel, wherein the chips or shavings are formed from a wood material harvested prior to the year 1850. 
     
     
         17 . A vessel system for aging or flavoring spirits, comprising:
 a vessel;   a volume or spirits contained in the vessel; and   wood deposited inside the vessel;   wherein the wood is formed from a wood material harvested prior to the year 1850.   
     
     
         18 . The vessel system of  claim 17 , wherein the wood deposited inside the vessel is in the form of one or more of grounds, strips, shavings, chunks or chips.