THE BLOG

A lot has changed since Midwest Barrel Co. first began slinging used barrels in 2015. 

We’ve grown from a single storage shed to an office building and warehouse here in Lincoln. Our team has expanded from Barrel Ben’s one-man show to a team of more than 15!

However, while MWBC was fortunate enough to grow in 2021 through a continuously stubborn pandemic, we quickly realized that new challenges were coming in 2022 – challenges that are not unique to our business or industry.

In response to these challenges, we have made the decision to increase prices on all of our products. 

Here’s why that’s necessary.

Barrels are in short supply

First, there’s an oak barrel shortage – and not just used bourbon barrels or whiskey and wine barrels. All types. It’s not the first time there’s been a shortage and the current one didn’t come out of nowhere. 

But the pandemic certainly didn’t help. 

Even with a shortage, we’re still able to get our hands on premium barrels from distilleries and wineries, although our stock has been limited at times. 

That’s simply because industry trends are changing. More producers are holding onto their barrels longer, moving them around internally or selling in bulk (and we mean bulk) to large buyers. 

But lots of people still want barrels

Second, though barrels are becoming a bit more difficult to come by, interested buyers are not. Craft breweries and wineries looking to barrel-age and customers interested in decor-grade barrels are not in short supply.

If you took Econ 101, then the rest will sound familiar: Supply is low and demand is high. That means the price we pay for barrels is going up. We’re spending more to bring in the high-quality, used bourbon, whiskey, wine and other barrels that you’ve come to expect from us.

To cover these increased costs, we need to raise prices on our end, too. At the end of the day, this will allow us to ensure we have more quality barrels in stock. That means a better selection for you.

Shipping costs are also increasing

Finally, our shipping providers are increasing the costs that we pay them to deliver your barrels. Freight costs have increased nationally as the transportation industry deals with economic demands and a shortage of drivers.

This also influenced our decision to increase prices. We want to make sure your orders arrive on time and in excellent condition and this is another increased cost for us that we must consider. 

Quality matters!

This all probably sounds familiar. These are the same issues that are affecting almost every other industry.

However, as we navigate these factors and move forward into a new year, our guarantee to you remains the same: To provide Damn. Good. Barrels. We’re laser-focused on top notch quality, responsive customer service and the best barrel buying experience anywhere. 

None of that changes. 

We hope that explains everything. Thank you for choosing MWBC! We’re looking forward to working with you in 2022!