FAQ'S

  • I'm new to using wood vessels, what kind of support can you offer? Great question! We're always here to help: from phone support, and wood use and care guides, to introducing you to some other resources in your community who can help. We work closely with our cooperage and Master Cooper Enrico Romualdi has a wealth of knowledge, so if there's a question we don't have an answer to we'll find out for you!

  • How do I care for my new wood vessel?
    As a reminder, all "used" vessels have already been loved once and buyers should be aware that vessels may maintain some pre-owned charm such as remnants of spirits or oak additives, which are not considered defects. However all "used" vessels are visually inspected for obvious damage on the exterior and KFS stands behind our products, so please feel free to reach out with any questions! As always, be sure to follow our Wood Use and Care Guide before using any wood products. Failure to do so may cause irreparable damage to your wooden vessel and it’s contents in addition to limiting our ability to offer proper support.

  • Can I put pressure on my wood vessel? The short answer is no. Barrels, foedres and casks are not pressure tested and are not designed to hold pressure. Over time even a small amount (< 5psi) will create leaks in between staves and force them to crack among other disastrous results. If you absolutely must apply pressure to rack, steam and/or clean, do so at your own risk. It should be kept to under 5psi and for a very brief period.

  • How much does a cask or foeder cost? All of our pricing can either be found on our website or by emailing us. Keep in mind that pricing can change due to the International Exchange Rate, however we work with our vendors to try to keep costs down. In addition to the vessel pricing, there will some shipping and importation costs associated with the purchase, plus any crating or dedicated vessel costs. The good news is that our vessels will last a lifetime (or two!) if properly cared for. You'll be making beer or wine for years to come!

  • Do you offer financing for investments like foeders and casks? We work with North Star Leasing, a company specializing in equipment financing across all sectors. They offer automatic approval for up to $15,000 with 12 to 60 month terms. More information can be provided at the time of quote approval.

  • What are the importation costs?
    Quotes include an estimate of the importation costs for order’s shipping from Italy (most foeders, casks, and winery-grade equipment). Actual costs will be passed through to you, the customer, and that may result in a final invoice with either a higher or lower total for your purchase. We do our best to provide accurate estimates, but many factors may affect the actual costs, including changing international shipping rates, size and type of container, and collateral contents (if any). When we receive a final invoice for the importation, we will send you a final invoice showing any additional charge or refund due.

    * Please note that from Jun 1st -Oct 1st we will need to use a temperature controlled container for transit into the US in order to ensure that our quality standards are met. Temperature controlled containers incur a slightly higher cost.

  • How do you factor in the exchange rate?
    This quote is based on the exchange rate of the day the quote is sent, and is therefore subject to change without notice until you pay for your order in full. A Dollar/Euro exchange rate shift in excess of 5% will result in adjustment to the total cost of your order in U.S. dollars, based on the spot exchange rate at the time of each payment. This adjustment, which may or may not be in your favor, will be reflected on your final invoice, subject to a possible additional charge if payment is not promptly received and the exchange rate continues to move unfavorably. You may lock in an exchange rate at any time by placing a full deposit on your order.

  • Do you ship? We are centrally located on the East Coast and can ship anywhere in the US and most places internationally. Freight costs are dependent upon a few factors: weight, pallet size, distance and the whims of the shipping industry. Outside influences that affect your quote can be: special delivery needs, gas prices, availability of drivers, the weather, and whether or not Mercury is in retrograde. If you get a good price quote, grab it while you can!

  • Tell me more about the conditions of your shipping services.
    We generally collect estimates from at least 3-4 independent brokers in an effort to offer the most economical shipping possible. The shipping estimate included in quotes assumes delivery to a commercial address, with no liftgate required, unless otherwise specified at the time of request for quote. Although we do our best to identify the proper freight class for each shipment, reclassification by the carrier may result in a higher shipping cost. The quoted cost is FOB Montgomeryville, PA unless otherwise noted and is valid for 5 days from the date of the quote, subject to the following.

    • If your order has not shipped and you have not paid in full until after that 5 day period, the cost will be subject to adjustment based on shipping rates at the time you make payment.

    • If your order is for a non-stock item (any special order or imported goods) or is delayed for any reason that is beyond our control, the cost will be based on shipping rates at the time of shipment.

    • If Keystone Fermentation Supply has arranged for shipping, then in the event of loss or damage during transit, KFS will file a claim with the carrier on your behalf, and you will receive any damages paid by the carrier. KFS will not be responsible for any unrecoverable portion of damages.

    • Transit times are all estimates and NOT guaranteed.  In most cases shipping companies have up to four weeks to deliver freight before it can be considered lost and a claim filed.  If you need your order delivered by or on a specific date we can arrange for a guaranteed express delivery for an additional fee.  We are not responsible for freight being delivered after the estimated transit time.

    • You may choose to arrange for shipping yourself. All items are FOB Montgomeryville, PA and KFS is not responsible for damages during transit or resulting from transit. Arranging your own shipment still requires KFS to prepare goods for shipment. This may include but is not limited to building shipping crates for foeders & cask and palletizing goods. These services will be billed as packaging and handling fees.

  • Can we pick up items from your facility?
    Of course! Please feel free to stop by our warehouse anytime during regular office hours (see below). We have a homebrew store (Keystone Homebrew Supply) and winery (Stone & Key Cellars) on-site making it a fun destination for lovers of beer, wine, cider, mead, and spirits in the Philadelphia area. If you do choose to pick up from our store, please note that all items are FOB Montgomeryville, PA and KFS is not responsible for damages during transit or resulting from transit. Our pick up hours are Monday thru Friday, 10am to 5pm. Any pick ups outside of that range are subject to additional off-hours fees and must be scheduled in advance. Even if you pick up your products, KFS may need to properly prepare your goods for transport. This may include but is not limited to custom packaging for foeders & cask and palletizing of goods. These services will be billed as packaging and handling fees.

  • Do you hold items?
    Products do not cross in to your possession until they are paid for in full and taken off-site. If you would like us to hold current or incoming inventory for you, a minimum of a 50% deposit is required but we reserve the right to request payment in full for products where time has an impact on the quality (includes almost all used barrels), custom builds, and special order items.

  • Will you store products for us?
    We can store items with at least a 50% deposit or that are paid for in full for up to one month (30 days) prior to shipping or pick up. We may not always be able to house large orders which is why shipping should be paid for prior to arrival of new shipments (ie. foedres, casks, bulk barrels and rack). After that period a storage fee will need to be paid for on a weekly basis.

    • 31 to 60 days - $25/week (non-refundable or transferable)

    • 61 to 90 days - $50/week (non-refundable or transferable)

    • 91+ days - We reserve the right to issue a partial refund in store credit for products paid for in full. Products will then return to our inventory.

  • How can I make a damage claim?
    While KFS maintains a rigorous shipping and packing procedure, at times items may arrive damaged at your shipping destination. Therefore, it is extremely important that each item is inspected at the time of arrival and any and all damage be documented by photo or video. Additionally, all damaged items must be noted as such on your bill of lading and/or shipping documents and signed by the driver. Copies of the paperwork plus any photo/video documentation must be submitted to Keystone Fermentation Supply within 48 hours of receiving your items. We ask this in order to quickly and fairly remedy any issues with your order.