Designer: Robert Harbin
Beer Barrel Penetration was created by Robert Harbin and detailed in the “Magic of Robert Harbin. Owners of this book are authorized to build and perform the illusion.
Harbin no doubt developed his Beer Barrel Penetration as a result of the influence of P.T. Selbit. Selbit created a "throw-away" effect which he called "The Stick Rack." The Stick Rack was a lidless box with holes around the sides. A girl crouched in the box and then sticks were thrust through the holes. While the sticks were in position, the girl was then lifted from the box using the theater flies. The problem was that the method was not very deceptive when the audience could see the girl being removed from the box.
Harbin's Beer Barrel Penetration has no such weakness. The assistant enters a beer barrel and rods are shoved through the sides and even the top. The rods are then removed and the assistant emerges unharmed.