KevenG

that would be the point. spoilage takes longer then fermentation, allowing for longer storage without having to ferment. would also allow for moving barrels and stacking laying barrels when the barrels have things in them you don't want to ferment, like honey

Just have a couple of ideas for improved barrels: Stacking barrels standing for better, more consistent long term storage. you wouldn't be able to open a barrel that's not on top. Stand for stacking barrels laying down. To create that classic vine cellar look. barrels laying down can't be opened. The ability to seal barrels without causing the contents to ferment and to seal barrels with liquids not able to seal. Maybe by adding an item like yeast as a requirement for fermentation? Might reduce spoilage. Allowing players to pick up sealed barrels. Holding a sealed barrel would require an empty "backpack slot", similar to holding a populated skep. A Barrel tap item to be installed onto a barrel, allowing the player to extract fluids from a sealed(that isn't fermenting), but not allow adding fluids.

diagram of an ice house, this one has the ice on top, but they could also be a room with the walls and floors being covered in ice: