Cooperage addresses craft oak barrel ‘shortage’
A US-based cooperage said it is aiming to “address the running shortage of oak barrels for the craft spirit industry” by “significantly” expanding production.
The Barrel Mill cooperage in Minnesota has increased production threefold over the last yearOver the last year, Minnesota-based The Barrel Mill has tripled its oak barrel production following the purchase of a stave mill.
The company has also introduced a 52-gallon American oak barrel to its line. The new barrel, as well as the company’s existing five-, 10-, 15- and 30-gallon barrels, comes in a choice of two standard charred interiors – Char #3 and Char #4.
“An overwhelming demand for barrels over the past few years put us in the unfortunate situation of having to turn down business because we were at capacity,” said Richard Hobbs, sales and marketing manager for The Barrel Mill.
“We are happy to announce that period is behind us and we are accepting orders from both current and new customers. The addition of new equipment and people allowed us to build a sizable inventory of barrels, ready to ship.”
The Barrel Mill exclusively uses oak from Minnesota and Missouri in all its barrel production.
