Competitive Barrel Rolling
Encyclopedia
Competitive Barrel Rolling is both a team or individual sport
which is practiced by bourbon
distilleries in Kentucky
. It is also referred to as a bourbon barrel relay. The world championship takes place at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival
annually in Bardstown, Kentucky
.
in Bardstown, Kentucky
. The participants are all employees of one of the Kentucky bourbon whiskey
distilleries.
For the team event, only two barrels can be on the second rail. The remaining barrels can be started behind the corner or on the first rail. For the individual event, 9 barrels are placed in line with the rick, but behind the ricking position. The individual must push one barrel from the starting point around the track, set it and rick it. The remaining 9 just need to be set into position and rolled onto the rick.
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
which is practiced by bourbon
Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
distilleries in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. It is also referred to as a bourbon barrel relay. The world championship takes place at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Kentucky Bourbon Festival
The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is a weeklong event consisting of more than thirty events in Bardstown, Kentucky, United States, dedicated to celebrating the history and art of distilling bourbon whiskey...
annually in Bardstown, Kentucky
Bardstown, Kentucky
As of the census of 2010, there were 11,700 people, 4,712 households, and 2,949 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 5,113 housing units at an average density of...
.
Origins and History
The first bourbon barrel relay took place in 1991 at the Kentucky Bourbon FestivalKentucky Bourbon Festival
The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is a weeklong event consisting of more than thirty events in Bardstown, Kentucky, United States, dedicated to celebrating the history and art of distilling bourbon whiskey...
in Bardstown, Kentucky
Bardstown, Kentucky
As of the census of 2010, there were 11,700 people, 4,712 households, and 2,949 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 5,113 housing units at an average density of...
. The participants are all employees of one of the Kentucky bourbon whiskey
Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
distilleries.
Playing Area
The playing area is a 40 foot by 28 foot rectangle, with rails on each edge for the barrels to roll upon. A simulated barrel rick with posts and cross beams is constructed on one of the long sides. The rick has a removable bar at one end which the first barrel will strike. A metal plate rests on each corner to aid in both turning the barrel around corners and spinning the barrel into position.Players
Only four people are allowed to touch barrels on the team. Coaches or set callers can communicate with the players, but can not participate in any physical aspect of the sport.Ricker
The ricker takes the first barrel and rolls it to the rick. His job is to properly align the barrels such that after rolling down the final rail, the bungs of all the barrels are pointed straight up.Rail Man
The rail man takes the second barrel and delivers it to the ricker. His job is to help the barrels roll down the final rail and to reposition any barrels that either impact the rick itself or fall off the rails.Corner
The man in the corner takes the third barrel to the first corner and pushes the barrel to the ricker. He stays in this position and moves the remaining barrels between the two rails.Pusher
The pusher job is to push all the remaining barrels to the corner man as quickly as possible. He can not move more than 10 ft(?) from the corner.Set Caller
And additional person may be employed to call the sets to the ricker. He will tell the ricker to either spin the barrel or dribble it to get the arrow in the correct position. He can not touch a barrel himself.Safety
The safety person stands next to the ricker and ensures that moving barrels do not hit the ricker.Equipment
- Barrels: Ten 55 gallon wooden barrels are filled with water. The total weight of each is about 500 lbs.
- Gloves: Gloves are recommended as the wood construction and metal bands around the barrels can easily cut the hands.
- Shoes: Steel toed shoes are recommended.
Gameplay
Time is started as soon as the first barrel is moved. Time stops when all barrels are in their final resting place on the rick. Barrels must be supported only by the rails, and not the ground between. 10 seconds are subtracted from the time for each barrel whose bung is facing straight up, within two bung diameters. With the time deduction taken into account, talented teams and individuals will often end with negative time.For the team event, only two barrels can be on the second rail. The remaining barrels can be started behind the corner or on the first rail. For the individual event, 9 barrels are placed in line with the rick, but behind the ricking position. The individual must push one barrel from the starting point around the track, set it and rick it. The remaining 9 just need to be set into position and rolled onto the rick.